Fishing Clearwater / St. Pete Beach, FL in the Spring
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| March | 75° / 64° |
| April | 80° / 69° |
| May | 84° / 73° |
The spring season kicks off the prime fishing period in Clearwater and St. Pete Beach. As water temperatures rise, both inshore and offshore fishing heats up quickly.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Inshore: Excellent for redfish, sheepshead, sea trout, black drum, flounder, and pompano. Tarpon begin showing up late spring. Sheepshead slow down by May.
Nearshore: Spanish mackerel, cobia, kingfish, and snapper action improves. Grouper begin moving in closer to reefs and wrecks.
Offshore: Amberjack, grouper, snapper, tuna and sailfish get more active with warming waters.
Surf Fishing: Whiting, pompano, and bluefish are common catches along local beaches in March and April.
Fishing Clearwater / St. Pete Beach, FL in the Summer
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| June | 87° / 78° |
| July | 89° / 79° |
| August | 89° / 80° |
Summer brings hot days, daily rain showers, and some of the best fishing of the year. Waters are warm, fish are active, and bait is abundant.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Inshore: Redfish, snook, tarpon, sea trout, and mangrove snapper are great targets. Early mornings and evenings are best. Sheepshead slows down.
Nearshore: Cobia, kingfish, barracuda, and Spanish mackerel bite well. Red snapper season typically opens mid-summer.
Offshore: Mahi mahi, grouper, tuna, and even wahoo and sailfish bite on deeper wrecks and ledges.
Surf Fishing: Expect snook and pompano around the beaches, especially during sunrise and sunset windows.
Fishing Clearwater / St. Pete Beach, FL in the Fall
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| September | 88° / 78° |
| October | 83° / 73° |
| November | 76° / 64° |
Fall fishing is excellent with slightly cooler temperatures and a renewed bite. Many migratory fish are heading back south, giving anglers a second shot at big fish.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Inshore: Redfish, flounder, sheepshead, trout, and black drum pick up as water cools. Tarpon and snook start thinning out by mid-fall.
Nearshore: Spanish mackerel, grouper, kingfish, and cobia bite well into October.
Offshore: Fall is prime for grouper, snapper, and amberjack on deep structure. Wahoo possible offshore late in the season.
Surf Fishing: Pompano, bluefish, and redfish move into the surf zone in better numbers by late fall.
Fishing Clearwater / St. Pete Beach, FL in the Winter
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| December | 72° / 60° |
| January | 69° / 56° |
| February | 72° / 60° |
Winter is mild compared to most places, but periodic cold fronts can slow the fishing. On calmer days, there’s still great fishing to be had.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Inshore: Focus on sheepshead, redfish, sea trout, and black drum in creeks, canals, and docks. Snook and tarpon are scarce.
Nearshore: Grouper and snapper are consistent near the reefs. Watch for weather windows.
Offshore: Weather dependent—deep water fishing for grouper and amberjack possible when the seas cooperate.
Surf Fishing: Whiting and sheepshead are most common, with some pompano and redfish on calm days.
