Tampa Bay Offers Endless Possibilities

Tampa Bay is one of the nation’s premier fishing destinations and for a good reason. We offer some of the best fishing mixed with some of the best places to visit. With all kinds of things to do and that great Florida weather it is a hot spot to visit. I’ve been fortunate to call this home my entire life and about 13 years ago I took it up a notch and now I call Tampa Bay work. I spend 275 days on the water as a full time guide and I can tell you that the possibilities of things to target seem endless. From Reds on the flats, Tarpon on the reefs, and awesome Grouper fishing inside the bay as well… It’s a place that is filled with different types of species.

Grouper fishing is something that is considered an offshore fishing but little do people know we have a ton of Gag Grouper in the bay. You can troll for them and have a good bit of success but I like to bottom fish or even free line baits back depending on the depths. As fishing offshore you will want a good bottom machine to find these little ledges that hold those big fish.. I love using the new Simrad 16inch with the all new 3D technology. This makes it a bit easier to find those secret Grouper holes.

Tarpon season has really been off due to rain and windy for May and June. This is kind of looking like a great late summer Tarpon run inside the bay. This is challenging but nothing is more rewarding than figuring out Tarpon in the bay… Gear for summer tarpon is pretty simple. I like the 60lb Fluorocarbon leader with 60 lb braided line matched with a 5/0 Daiichi circle hook. Match this with a extra heavy St Croix Avid Spinning rod and Daiwa Saltist reel and all you have to do fish hook the fish.

Reds in the summer are also a hot topic s schools still hang around the flats. Getting an early start is key when finding Reds this time of year as water temperatures climb quick from the heat of the day. Bait of choice for Reds would have to be cut bait on the bottom but don’t forget to have a Mirrolure Mirodine tied up for those fast moving school that will hit anything in site…

Mangrove Snapper is something I love to do this time of year. As the fry bait moves up onto the flats the Snapper stack into the bay. Using this smaller fry bait will chum the Snapper to the surface and make for some great fishing for both the kids and adults.. Snapper fishing in the bay is some of the best fishing you will do and is steady action throughout the day

Last but not least would have to be one of my favorite fish to target. That would have to be Snook. Snook fishing in Tampa Bay is some of the best around the entire state and in the summer months the big breeders stack up around the spoil Islands to spawn. This makes for some great inshore action that any bass fisherman from up north would LOVE to do. One of my favorite ways to target Snook is a frisky greenback matched with a Cajun Thunder float. It’s just as good as watching a bass blow up on a top water at first light. Anyone that has not targeted Snook is missing out on some of the best fishing anyone could experience. If you are looking to target one of the species above and want to get out on a good day in Tampa Bay give me a call on my cell 813-727-9890

Captain Jason Prieto is a full time captain and has been fishing the waters of Tampa Bay since he was a kid. He is a native floridian and would love to share his knowledge and experience through his charters. If you are interested in booking a trip you can reach him at 813-727-9890 or www.steadyactionfishingcharters.com. You can also catch his latest fishing reports by tuning into his radio program Tampa Fishing Outfitter Radio Show on 1040 NBC sports Sundays from 8 to 9AM or on our Facebook live feed Tampa Fishing Outfitter Radio.