Fishing the Bradenton Area in the Spring
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| March | 78° / 57° |
| April | 83° / 61° |
| May | 88° / 67° |
Spring fishing around Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, and Longboat Key is excellent as water temperatures warm. Many species begin migrating into the bays and nearshore waters, creating prime conditions for a variety of game fish.
What’s Hot / What’s Not
Inshore: Redfish, speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead, and flounder are active. Snook and tarpon begin showing up later in the season. Sheepshead action peaks early, then fades as spring progresses.
Nearshore: Spanish mackerel, kingfish, and cobia arrive in solid numbers. Snapper and grouper fishing improves around reefs and wrecks.
Offshore: Bottom fishing for grouper and snapper picks up. Amberjack and pelagics become more available as water warms.
Surf: Pompano, whiting, black drum, and sheepshead bite well early in the season. Sharks begin to show late spring.
Fishing the Bradenton Area in the Summer
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| June | 91° / 72° |
| July | 92° / 74° |
| August | 92° / 74° |
Summer is peak season in Bradenton. Tarpon, snook, sharks, and snapper headline a long list of active species. Early morning and evening trips help anglers beat the heat and wind.
What’s Hot / What’s Not
Inshore: Snook and tarpon are in prime form. Redfish, sea trout, flounder, and jacks remain active. Sheepshead fishing slows down.
Nearshore: Kingfish, cobia, Spanish mackerel, and permit are possible. Tripletail and sharks become common around crab buoys and reefs.
Offshore: Red snapper season draws heavy boat traffic. Grouper and other reef dwellers are strong targets. Some mahi mahi and blackfin tuna possible in deeper water.
Surf: Pompano action slows, but whiting, snook, and sharks are reliable along the beaches.
Fishing the Bradenton Area in the Fall
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| September | 90° / 73° |
| October | 85° / 66° |
| November | 79° / 59° |
Fall is one of the best times to fish the Bradenton area. Crowds thin, water temperatures drop gradually, and many fish are in feeding mode as they prepare for winter.
What’s Hot / What’s Not
Inshore: Big bull redfish arrive. Sea trout, flounder, and sheepshead fishing improves. Snook remains active through October.
Nearshore: Kingfish, Spanish mackerel, and cobia make a strong push back through. Snapper and flounder also abundant.
Offshore: Grouper fishing peaks. Weather is more favorable for longer runs, with consistent bottom fishing and scattered pelagics offshore.
Surf: Whiting, pompano, and black drum return in stronger numbers. Sharks taper off slightly but still present.
Fishing the Bradenton Area in the Winter
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| December | 74° / 54° |
| January | 72° / 50° |
| February | 75° / 53° |
Winter in Bradenton can be surprisingly productive. Cold fronts and wind can make conditions tougher, but many resident fish remain active, especially in deeper pockets, channels, and warm tidal flows.
What’s Hot / What’s Not
Inshore: Redfish, sea trout, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead dominate the catch list. Snook and tarpon mostly move out until spring.
Nearshore: Sheepshead action increases around rocks and structure. Snapper still bite, but pelagics are mostly gone.
Offshore: Grouper and snapper are still available, especially when conditions allow deep water access. Expect wind-related limitations on long trips.
Surf: Whiting and black drum are consistent. Pompano can be hot on the right days. Fewer sharks this time of year.
