Inshore Fishing


Learn more about the inshore fishing in the Tampa Bay area.


Fish the Bridges


Tampa Bay is home to several bridges that offer some very good fishing for a variety of fish species.  The Skyway Bridge gets the most attention in this area, but there are plenty of other bridges to fish as well.  These spots provide some very good fishing during the tidal changes.  Anglers catch snapper, grouper, redfish, trout, sheepshead, flounder, sharks, bluefish, mackerel and more.



Fish the Canals


There are many canals that you can find throughout the Tampa Bay area.  There are many communities throughout the bay where you will have find some canals with homes, boat docks and even some mangrove trees.  These canals can be hit or miss, but they usually provide some very good fishing for a variety of fish during the cooler months.  These areas warm faster than out in the bay, so many of these canals can provide some warmer water temperatures during the winter months.  Anglers fish for snook, redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead and more.


Fish the Tidal Creeks, Inlets & Backwaters


There are some tidal creeks, inlets and backwater areas throughout the bay.  All of these spots won’t be good fishing spots, however, many of these smaller tidal creeks can provide some good fishing opportunities during the tidal changes.


Fish the Docks


You will find a lot of docks throughout Tampa Bay.  If you explore some of the canals with residential neighborhoods, you’re going to find so many docks.  Many of these docks will hold fish such as sheepshead, redfish, trout, snook, flounder and more.


Fish the Flats


There is some good fishing in the shallow waters of Lower Tampa Bay.  Many guides fish this part of the bay with light tackle for snook, redfish, sea trout, flounder, tarpon and more.


Fish the Mangroves


There are some very good areas where you can target the mangrove trees for a variety of saltwater species.  There are some good mangrove areas to fish in the canals in the residential communities throughout the bay.  There are also some really good stretches of mangrove trees in lower Tampa Bay.