Tampa Bay Gulf fishing forecast
Tampa Bay Gulf is a saltwater fishing spot in Tampa Bay, United States. Anglers here target Red Drum, Common Snook, Tarpon, Spotted Sea Trout. The most productive months are typically April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #96 of 409 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
In line with this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 24.3 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 13 km/h from NE, gusting 23 km/h |
| Wave height | 0.2 m at 2 s |
| Current | 0.03 m/s toward SSE |
| Pressure | 1018 hPa |
| Depth | 5 m |
| Cloud cover | 0% |
| Chlorophyll | 5.48 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 35.2 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 7 m |
| UV index | 0 |
| Wind sea | 0.1 m at 2 s |
| Ground swell | 0.0 m at 2 s from N |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.03 → 0.00 m/s |
The water is running true to season — within a few tenths of the October average of 24.4 °C for this location. The water is mixed to about 60.0 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Tampa Bay Gulf
Tampa Bay Gulf currently scores 87 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 24.3 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +25.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Chlorophyll +12.6
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Waves +9.0
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Wind +8.0
- surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
- Chlorophyll front +5.0
- a plankton edge — classic feeding line
- Barometric pressure +3.3
- falling pressure often triggers feeding
What’s biting now
The model expects today: red-drum, spotted-sea-trout, king-mackerel, tarpon, snook, gulf-flounder, southern-flounder, black-drum
Bite windows
Best months for Tampa Bay Gulf:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-10-10, 92/100
17 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period
About this spot
Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.
Approximate bottom depth: 5 m
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · offshore ground
What you can catch
-
Sciaenops ocellatus
-
Centropomus undecimalis
-
Megalops atlanticus
-
Cynoscion nebulosus
Best months by species at Tampa Bay Gulf
| Red DrumSciaenops ocellatus | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common SnookCentropomus undecimalis | ||||||||||||
| TarponMegalops atlanticus | ||||||||||||
| Spotted Sea TroutCynoscion nebulosus |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common SnookFWC recreational saltwater regulations — Snook; Chapter 68B, F.A.C. | 1/day | 71.1–81.3 cm slot | Feb 1 – May 31; Sep 1 – Dec 14; Mar 1 – Apr 30; Sep 1 – Nov 30 |
| Slot: 28–32" Atlantic; 28–33" Gulf (most regions). Snook permit required for harvest. Closed seasons differ by region — Panhandle/Big Bend/Tampa/Sarasota and Charlotte Harbor/SW Gulf each have distinct closures. Always verify against current FWC zone map before fishing. | |||
| Red DrumFWC recreational saltwater regulations — Red Drum; Chapter 68B, F.A.C. | 1/day | 45.7–68.6 cm slot | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Strict 18–27" slot statewide — fish under 18" or over 27" must be released. Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is catch-and-release-only — no retention permitted in IRL waters. | |||
| TarponFWC recreational saltwater regulations — Tarpon; Chapter 68B, F.A.C. | 1/day | min 190.5 cm | — |
| A tarpon tag is required to harvest tarpon. Catch-and-release strongly encouraged. Harvest heavily restricted. | |||
Licensing:
- saltwater-recreational — residents Florida residents 16–64 must purchase a Saltwater Fishing License; $17/yr (short-term rates available)., non-residents Non-residents 16+: $17/3-day, $30/7-day, $47/annual.
- saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.
FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. Always verify current rules at myfwc.com before fishing. Seasons and limits change annually.
Check Tampa Bay Gulf before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 308 km of Tampa Bay Gulf.
-
Clearwater Florida Gulf
Sarasota Bay Gulf
Crystal River Florida
Lake Tohopekaliga FL
Cocoa Beach Space Coast
Lake Okeechobee Florida
Marco Island Florida
Stuart Sailfish Alley
Palm Beach Offshore
Apalachicola Bay Florida
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Tampa Bay Gulf?
Anglers at Tampa Bay Gulf target Red Drum, Common Snook, Tarpon and Spotted Sea Trout.
When is the best time to fish Tampa Bay Gulf?
The most productive months at Tampa Bay Gulf are typically April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
What is the fishing forecast for Tampa Bay Gulf right now?
Tampa Bay Gulf currently scores 87 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Is the thermocline set up at Tampa Bay Gulf right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Tampa Bay Gulf?
The scored point sits over roughly 5 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Redfish (Red Drum)How to Catch SnookHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.