Springtime Fishing in Tampa Bay

Finally Spring is upon us! As we break through the final cold fronts from our winter season, we start to gear up and getting ready for the Spring madness. Spring is one of the best times of year to book a Tampa Bay fishing charter. Not only does the weather start to get warmer here with those high of 75 days but the fish also start to move out of the winter time haunts and start to feed as they been missing out on a meal or two when the water was colder. Its the time of year to dust off those cast nets you had stored in the garage during the colder periods and start to practice again in the yard to throw that pancake in order to net some fresh pilchards when your able to get out again, because the bait is coming! Its one of my favorite times of year to load the live wells with fresh lively bait and take them back country creeks and inshore flats on higher tides. When you throwing live bait in your chum bats and watching the birds and fish go after them, with white butterflies flying around you know spring has arrived. There are numerous areas we travel too in search of the normal spring time targets. These includes snook, redfish, and trout to name a few. As water temperatures rise, bait schools push onto the grass flats and nearly every inshore species becomes more active. Whether you’re chasing snook, redfish, trout, or even mackerel, spring offers some of the most exciting fishing Tampa has to offer.

Snook Fishing in Tampa Bay

Spring snook fishing is a favorite for many local anglers. These fish move out of their winter hiding spots and feed aggressively to bulk up before the summer spawn. You’ll find snook staging along mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, and creek mouths. On my Tampa fishing charters, I like to free-line live whitebait, but tossing topwater lures at sunrise is also a thrilling way to connect with these hard-fighting fish.

Redfish on the Flats

If you’re looking for Tampa Bay redfish, spring is prime time. Reds start schooling up and patrolling shallow grass flats, often giving themselves away with wakes, pushes, or tails waving in the shallows. Live bait works great, but artificial like gold spoons and soft plastics are proven producers. On my guided fishing trips, I tailor the approach depending on whether you want to learn lure techniques or simply relax with live bait.

Speckled Trout Fishing

Spring also delivers consistent speckled trout action. These fish gather on deeper grass flats in 3–6 feet of water and provide steady rod-bending fun for anglers of all skill levels. Trout will eat shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastics, and even small topwater plugs. They’re a great option for families or anyone new to fishing Tampa Bay.

Bonus Species: Spanish Mackerel & Kingfish

By mid-spring, migratory fish like Spanish mackerel and even kingfish begin showing up in Tampa Bay and along the nearshore reefs. These species are known for blistering runs and drag-screaming excitement. If you’re looking for high-energy action, targeting mackerel is always a crowd favorite.

Tampa Bay Spring Fishing Tips

• Best Tides: A strong incoming tide in the morning usually produces the hottest bite.

• Weather: Stable conditions are key. After a late-season cold front, fishing may slow briefly, but it almost always rebounds quickly.

• Gear Tip: Use 30–40 lb leader when fishing around mangroves, docks, or targeting toothy species like mackerel.

• Cast Net : Using a 12 foot 3/8 mesh for catching bait on the flats 1.0 lb per foot, 10 foot 3/8 mesh 2.0 lb per foot around pilings and bridges

👉 If you’re ready to experience the incredible spring fishing in Tampa Bay, book your trip with Salty Gillz Charters. As a local fishing guide, I’ll put you on snook, redfish, trout, and more—all while sharing the techniques and local knowledge that make Tampa Bay such a world-class fishery.