Fall Fishing in Tampa Bay

Fall is one of the best times of year to fish Tampa Bay. As summer’s heat fades and the first cool fronts begin to settle in, the entire bay system comes alive. Water temperatures start dropping into the low-to-mid 70s, baitfish migrate in huge numbers, and gamefish feed aggressively to prepare for winter. For anglers, this means more opportunities, longer bite windows, and some of the most exciting action of the year.

What’s Happening in the Bay

• Cooling Water Temps – Fish become more active throughout the day, no longer hiding from the intense summer sun. Redfish, snook, and trout move onto the flats and stage around mangroves and shorelines.
• Bait Migration – Massive schools of whitebait, threadfins, and mullet push into the bay. Predators follow close behind, making bait easy to find and fish easier to locate.
• Lower Tides & Clear Water – Negative fall tides reveal potholes, oyster bars, and drop-offs where fish concentrate. With cleaner water, sight-fishing opportunities improve dramatically.

Target Species

• Redfish: Peak season for schooling reds. Look for tailing fish on shallow flats or pushing wakes along oyster bars and shorelines.
• Snook: Transitioning from summer passes and beaches back into rivers, creeks, and mangrove shorelines. Their aggressive feeding makes them prime targets.
• Speckled Trout: Cooler temps bring them back onto the grass flats in strong numbers, often mixed with bluefish and ladyfish.
• Bonus Action: Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and even the occasional tarpon around the bait schools.

Best Techniques

• Artificial Lures: Start the morning with topwater plugs for explosive strikes. As the sun rises, switch to soft plastics, paddle tails, or gold spoons to cover water and entice fish.
• Live Bait: Pilchards (whitebait), pinfish, and cut mullet are all excellent options. A full livewell can keep rods bent all day.
• Fly Fishing: With clear water and tailing reds, fall is one of the most rewarding seasons to throw a fly.

Tips for Success

• Fish low tides to locate schools staging in potholes and deeper edges.
• Follow mullet schools—big redfish and snook often hide within them, waiting to ambush prey.
• Plan trips around stable weather patterns. After a cold front, give fish a day or two to settle before expecting the best bite.

Experience Fall Fishing with a Local Guide

Fishing in the fall is about timing, tides, and understanding seasonal fish movements. As a full-time Tampa Bay fishing guide, I’ve spent years dialing in these patterns to help anglers of all skill levels get on the fish. Whether you want to sight-fish tailing reds, chase snook along the mangroves, or put your family on steady trout action, fall offers it all.

Ready to get on the water and take advantage of one of the best seasons Tampa Bay has to offer? Book your fall fishing trip today and let’s get you hooked up