Are there peacock bass in Tampa Florida?


Sharing is Caring


Peacock Bass Fishing Reservations Peacock bass can be found in South Florida from the Florida Keys all the way North to Palm Beach and the southwest coast in Naples as well.

Where can I catch bass in Tampa?

Lake Tarpon is known as the best trophy bass fishing location in the Tampa Bay area. Lake Tarpon is rated as one of the top ten bass lakes in Florida by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Is there good fishing in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay fishing is as good as it gets. This area holds an active fishery that s available to both visiting and resident anglers all year long. With its temperate climate, direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, and freshwater feeds from dozens upon dozens of sources, the state’s finest inshore game fish call Tampa home.

What fish are biting in Tampa Bay now?

The Grouper and Red Snapper are biting, but quite a ways offshore. In closer, you can find plenty of Mackerel, Tunny, Permit, Barracuda and Shark.

Are there mahi mahi in Tampa Bay?

You can catch mahi mahi in Tampa Bay by going offshore and using methods such as drift fishing, deep sea fishing, spinning, trolling, or light tackling. The best baits for dolphinfish in Florida are natural bait like cigar minnows. However, live bait, cut bait, spoons, artificial lures, and jigs work well, too.

What is the best bait to use in Tampa Bay?

Live shrimp are the most versatile and widely available live bait for anglers fishing in Tampa Bay and throughout the southeast part of the United States. Every species in saltwater will happily devour a live shrimp.

What is the best month to fish in Florida?

The best time to fish in the state of Florida in saltwater is normally April through September whereas the best times to fish freshwater are spring through November. Each species of Florida gamefish will have its peak high seasons.

Where can I shore fish in Tampa?

  • Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. If you are looking for good fishing spots in Tampa Bay, head to the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier.
  • Fort DeSoto County Park.
  • Bishop’s Harbor.
  • Edward Medard Reservoir.
  • Lake Tarpon.

Where can I fish at night in Tampa?

The Gandy Bridge pier is just an old bridge that used to stretch across Tampa Bay and now is a nice fishing pier. This pier is a great place to catch tarpon and mahi-mahi (dorado) at night. There is also a lot of bioluminescence sometimes at night.

Is peacock bass good to eat?

Their eating quality is very good. Their flesh is white and sweet when cooked, and has very little oil, making it similar in taste to snapper or grouper. Also, they are not excessively bony.

Can you eat Florida peacock bass?

Many anglers suggest that this fish, like most bass, can make for a savory dish, however, catch and release fishing, of the Peacock Bass, assists in maintaining Florida’s ecosystem.

What is the best time to fish for bass?

Early Morning/Dawn From roughly 5:30 to 8:30 a.m., the bass are hunting in the low light. In general, they will be looking for minnows and shiners, which makes them enticed by artificial shoreline lures, plugs and topwater poppers.

What fish are biting in St Petersburg?

Inshore, Spanish mackerel, redfish, trout and flounder are biting for much of the year. These species, along with perhaps the most famous local catch – snook – can be found swimming near the beaches, in the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as in bayous, passes and bays.

What fish are running in Clearwater?

Clearwater Florida has an abundance of different fish species and several different ways to target them. We have Snook, Redfish Trout, Tarpon, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Permit, Cobia, Black Drum, Gag Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, Hog Snapper and several different species of sharks.

What time is fishing the best?

Fish generally prefer early morning and evening sun to the bright midday rays. In midday, the surface temperature of the water is also hotter, forcing the fish to move deeper.

How far offshore is mahi?

As shallow continental shelf waters start to warm in the summer, mahi-mahi moves closer to shore and are occasionally seen within 10 miles of the shoreline. They are also found near the coast, ranging in depths from 0 to 279 feet of water.

Where do you catch mahi in the Gulf?

The Mahi Mahi can be found in great abundance off the Gulf Coast shore of the state of Louisiana. It is one of the most common, as well as widely sought after, sporting and dining fish in the region. Luckily for anglers, it is so common that there is no need for the state to impose any kind of bag limit.

Do redfish hit topwater baits?

A motivated redfish can deliver one of the most exhilarating topwater attacks you’ll ever see. A big part of that is simply the angle of attack. By comparison, speckled trout, snook and any fish with a forward-facing mouth can attack from directly below a topwater bait and blow a hole in the water.

Where can I find grouper in Tampa?

To target Grouper in Tampa Bay channels, look for the right structure. Rocky areas and areas containing ledges are great to drop a line into. Wreck fishing is probably the most popular way to target Grouper, of course this depends on availability of wrecks and the type of Grouper fishing being utilized.

How do you catch fish in Tampa?

YouTube video

What is the best month for bass fishing in Florida?

In Florida, bass can be caught casting to isolated cover year round, but spring and summer are the best times to catch a trophy because of the spawn. January through April bass will spawn in isolated cover like lily pads, reeds, hydrilla or Kissimmee grass.

Why are bass so big in Florida?

Florida’s warm climate and long growing season also enhance the growth rates of largemouth bass. Even with faster growth rates, it takes a while for Florida largemouth bass to reach its full potential, so survival is always a factor in becoming a trophy bass.

Is there a bass season in Florida?

Largemouth bass are available year-round in Florida, but there are certain times that are better than others. Spring is one of the best seasons because it is when the bass start to spawn. There is no closed season for largemouth bass, so you can fish for spawning bass if you like.

Do I need a license to fish from shore in Florida?

A Florida fishing license is required to land saltwater species in Florida regardless of where they are caught (state or federal waters). Valid for saltwater fishing from the shoreline or a structure affixed to shore.

Can you fish on the Tampa Riverwalk?

You can also cast your line right next to the Tampa Riverwalk on the Garrison Channel for good Snook and Tarpon bite. For a taste of pier fishing, you can take your pick, because there are many and most of them are open for fishing.

Craving More Content?

Safe Harbor Fishing