Florida Fishing Vacations...

Tampa Florida Fishing

Tampa Florida fishing vacations will reward you year-round with catches of snapper, snook, and spotted seatrout. Seasonal varieties include grouper, tarpon, and pompano.

The Tampa Bay waters have many places to try your luck. This page will tell you about where to fish in the waters of Old Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Bay and points south of Hillsborough Bay down to and including Apollo Beach.

There's a lot to tell you, so let's get started!

� Photographer:Dennis Tokarzewski | Agency: Dreamstime.com

Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations: What's the Catch?

Of course, you'll need to know what fish you can expect to catch in the waters around Tampa. Florida fishing vacations are made memorable by landing exciting gamefish like sheepshead, redfish, tarpon, and grouper, among others.

Let's talk a little about some of the fish,when the best times to plan your fishing trips are for each species, and where to find them in the Tampa Bay waters. All the fish listed in the chart below are saltwater varieties...

...EXCEPT for the largemouth bass and stripers, which are found in fresh water fishing lakes and especially in the Hillsborough River, which empties into Tampa's Hillsborough Bay.

Fish Identification in the Tampa Area

Snook	Red Snapper
While available year-round, the snook season is closed from Dec 15 thru Jan 31. It's catch & release only during June thru August. Found inshore in the flats and backcountry waters. In cooler weather, fish the deep, warm waters of the tidal creeks and canals. At high tide, fish for snook near mangrove fringes and tidal passes. 2-10 pounds average size.	Season is year-round, but the best months in Tampa Bay waters for red snapper are in the fall months. Found offshore and out in the bay waters. 1-2 pounds average size.
Redfish, or Red Drum	Spotted Sea Trout
Year-round season; found inshore and in the flats. Fish structures, docks, pilings, deeper holes and channels in the coolest and warmest months. Grass beds are also productive. Agerage size is 2-10 pounds.	Year round season, with spring and fall months being best. November and December is catch & release only. Found in the inshore flats areas, around grassy areas, preferably with white sandy bottoms & potholes. Cooler weather will bring them to the muddy bottoms at the edges of the sand bars that are next to the grass flats.
Sheepshead	Bluefish
In season December thru February. Found inshore near pilings, docks, bridges, artificial reefs, and seawalls. 1 - 31 pounds average weight.	Migrates to Florida waters from north Atlantic waters in winter, following baitfish. Young fish stay inshore during the spring and summer months and move offshore to join adults in the fall and winter. Average size is about 3 -5 pounds. Increasing numbers are being reported in the Bay, especially around Gandy Bridge.
Grouper	Goliath Grouper
Seasons run January-May, and again in October - December. In warmer weather, grouper are found about 20-25 miles offshore. In cooler weather, the fish move inshore to more shallow water. Fish the edges & drops offs in the Edgmont and Skyway Channels. Groupers average weight is 6 -12 pounds.	This monster is catch and release ONLY. The season is March thru November, and you'll find them around wrecks and reefs. The average weight is 200 - 400 pounds!
Pompano	Barracuda
Season is good about April thru September. You'll find pompano around bridges and passes with good tide movement, and sometimes on the flats - look for fish jumping in your wake. Average weight is 1 -2 pounds.	Season is March - November, and is found at offshore reefs and wrecks. Average weight is 10 - 20 pounds.
Largemouth Bass	Striper
Year-round season. Florida's official fresh water fish is readily available in Tampa's lakes and rivers. The average weight is 2 to 10 pounds in Central Florida. Plan your Florida fishing vacations around the cooler spring and fall months for the best chances of landing a trophy bass!	An often underrated but great alternative to the largemouth, the river-dwelling stripers are ferocious fighters. The best fishing for striper is in the cooler months of fall through spring, and daily bag limits are more generous than for the black bass.
Tarpon
The hot season runs from April thru the end of June. The average tarpon weight is between 40 - 150 pounds. Florida fishing vacations to Tampa Bay for these fighters are an annual pilgrimage for many anglers! The tarpon are mostly found near the bridges and about a mile to a mile and a half off the beaches. Plan on getting up early to go for tarpon!

The Best Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations.... the Honey Pots

Now that we've talked about what species of game fish you can expect to find around the city of Tampa, and Tampa Bay itself, let's talk about the best places to try your luck. With several rivers that empty into Tampa Bay, there's both fresh water fishing and plenty of saltwater action, too.

Enjoy Tampa Fishing at the Gandy Bridge

When you're in Tampa Florida on your Florida fishing vacations, be sure to get to the "Old" Gandy Bridge to enjoy one of the sweetest honey pots in the Tampa Bay area. No boat? No problem - there's catwalks running along the bridge to drop a line from.

Once known as "The Longest Automobile Toll Bridge in the World" - way back in the mid-1920's - the original Gandy Bridge connected south Tampa with north St. Petersburg, and was replaced in the 1950's.

When it was time to consider replacing the Gandy Bridge once more in the late 1990's, anglers were very concerned about the fate of their beloved catwalks that were attached to the Gandy bridge, and gave unparalleled access to the waters of Tampa Bay.

After some wrangling, a compromise was reached and the new bridge was built right alongside the old one, preserving the old bridge with the precious catwalks. The old bridge is now known as the "Friendship Trail" and has been restored to accommodate hikers and bikers, as well as the anglers who fought to preserve their favorite fishing spot.

The Gandy Bridge connects Tampa and St Pete, and a favorite fishing spot

The Gandy Bridge, and the catwalk so popular with anglers

With all that history, it's no surprise that the Gandy Bridge is a favorite fishing spot of both locals and Florida fishing vacations lovers!

Some of the original structure still remains, and over the many years the waters near the bridge have become excellent habitat for a nice variety of gamefish.

It's a great place to catch sheepshead and pompano around the pilings, and you'll find that tarpon, trout, redfish, jacks, cobia, and mackerel are readily available in the bay waters around the Gandy Bridge, too. Bluefish are also found in the Gandy area, and when the bait they follow is plentiful, so are the bluefish.

Gandy Bridge is also one of the best places to find snook, where they stick close to shore and around the rocks, particularly on the incoming tide.

Spotlight on Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations...

Visit Apollo Beach Florida

Still not sure where you're headed for Florida fishing vacations in the Tampa area? If you prefer a break from crowds, read on....

A less well-known Tampa Bay fishing spot, Apollo Beach is a pretty little waterfront community located on the eastern side of Tampa Bay, in the SouthShore region of Hillsborough County. It's just a short drive southeast from Apollo Beach to the Little Manatee River State Park.

Apollo Beach is well-known for its popular Manatee Arts Festival, a family-friendly weekend-long outdoor event, held in March each year.

While there aren't lodgings available right in Apollo Beach itself, the nearby town of Ruskin has excellent boater-friendly lodgings at The Inn at Little Harbor, also with its own private marina and a plenty of beach, too. And speaking of marinas....

Apollo Beach has two marinas, each with a public boat ramp (see the boat ramps listing below for more info), accessing the bay waters from Apollo Beach is easy. There's another public boat ramp, along with a saltwater fishing pier, located just a few miles down the beach at E.G. Simmons Park.

A Word About Accommodations for your Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations...

Have you found lodging in the Tampa area yet? If you're still looking for a great Florida hotel, we'd like to invite you to check out our reviews of Tampa Florida hotels that we believe are especially friendly for anglers. A poor choice in lodgings can add a sour note to otherwise outstanding fishing trip memories...make your Florida fishing vacations even better with the best accommodations!

More Places for the Best Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations

The Parks

Florida is well-known for its great parks systems at all levels; city, county, and state parks, too. Whether on the first of (hopefully) many Tampa Bay Florida fishing vacations, or a local resident just looking for new fishing holes in the Tampa area, try one of the many excellent parks!

Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations.... Local Parks

The city of Tampa has an extensive parks system; here's a few of the best city parks to experience Tampa fishing. If you're short of time, or just want to relax and drop a line, check out where the locals fish!

Tampa Park	Park Features
Picnic Island Beach 7404 Picnic Island Blvd Tampa, FL 33616	Located in the Port of Tampa, off Hillsborough Bay. Beach, boat ramp, pier, rest rooms
Lowry Park 7525 North Boulevard Tampa, FL 33604	Fishing pier, boat ramp, shelters, rest rooms, playground, on the Hillsborough River
Al Lopez Park 4810 North Himes Tampa, FL 33614	Playground, restrooms, two ponds; northern pond offers fishing, pier
Marjorie Park Yacht Basin 115 Columbia Drive Tampa, FL 33606	On Davis Island, along Seddon Channel. Pier, concessions, public fueling, restrooms, 78 wet slips available
Ballast Point Park 5300 Interbay Boulevard Tampa, FL 33611	Downtown view, walkway along water; playground, boat ramp, pier, concessions, restrooms
Rowlett Park 2401 East Yukon Tampa, FL 33604	On Hillsborough River. Fishing pier, dog park, restrooms, shelters, playground, trails
Sulphur Springs Family Water Complex 713 Bird Street Tampa, FL 33604	Unique Water park, with pool and water play. Restrooms, picnic areas, and pier on the Hillsborough River are also available.

Florida Fishing Vacations...Anglers Enjoy Fishing at Hillsborough County Parks

The Hillsborough County Parks Department has maximized the bass fishing found on the Hillsborough River and its tributaries, and also provides nice access to bay fishing, too. Whether you brought a boat, or prefer to fish from piers or the shore, a county park can provide you with a full day's angling excitement.

Edward Medard Park

Enjoy fresh water fishing in the popular 770-acre reservoir; stripers are stocked regularly. Largemouth bass are plentiful in the winter and spring along the shoreline grasses. There's a 730-foot fishing pier and boardwalk, too, leading to an island observation tower.

That bass fishing stays good because of the daily bag limit of 3, of which only one may be over 24 inches. Bass between 15-24 inches are catch and release only.

Camping is also available, along with boat launch facilities, canoe rental, swimming and picnicing.

The reservoir is located about six miles east of Brandon, one mile south of State Route 60 on Turkey Creek Road.

Edward Medard Park
5726 Panther Loop
Plant City FL 33566
Telephone: (813) 757-3802

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E. G. Simmons Park

Found near the town of Ruskin on Tampa Bay's east side, the popular Simmons Park is perfect for anglers. The 469-acre park has a campground with a nice view of the water; a public swimming beach; and picnic areas, too.

A boat ramp provides bay access for fishing and boating. For those fishing without boats, there's saltwater fishing piers as well as bank fishing, too.

E. G. Simmons Park
2401 19th Avenue, N.W.
Ruskin FL 33570
Telephone: (813) 671-7655

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Upper Tampa Bay Park

Enjoy the increasing popularity of kayaks and canoes while on Tampa Florida fishing vacations - This is a great park for paddling! Fish the shallow, mangrove-lined waters from your kayak or canoe, or explore waters surrounding the park's 600-acre Double Branch Peninsula in Old Tampa Bay. Mobbly Bay is to the west of the peninsula, Old Tampa Bay is south, and Double Branch Bay to the east means plenty of paddling and fishing! Spotted sea trout fishing is good in the bay waters near the peninsula's end.

For those without a kayak or canoe, bay fishing is allowed from the boardwalk. Covering 2,144 acres, this park is excellent for nature viewing and hiking, too!

Upper Tampa Bay Park is located west of Tampa, about 2-3 miles southeast of the the town of Oldsmar. To get there from Oldsmar, take Florida Highway 580 (aka Hillsborough Road) several miles southeast, to Double Branch Road and turn south. Continue on Double Branch Road about a half-mile to the park entrance.

Upper Tampa Bay Park
8001 Double Branch Road
Tampa FL 33635
Telephone: (813) 855-1765

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Wilderness Parks

Over 16,000 acres make this the biggest park system in Hillsborough County. Subdivided into over a half-dozen smaller parks, there's a few of particular interest to anglers:

Dead River Park
(813) 987-6210
This 21-acre park is found where the Dead River and Hillsborough Rivers meet. To get there from Tampa, drive north on I-75, and exit at Fowler Avenue. Go east for about a mile and a half to US 301; turn left (north) onto US 301. Travel about 8 miles and you'll see Dead River Road, turn left. Drive about 3/4 mile to the gate. Parking is another 2 miles past the gate.

John B. Sargeant Park
(813) 987-6208
Once known as Flint Creek Park until a name change back in 1989, the 23-acre park found at the confluence of the Hillsborough River and Flink Creek. It's best known for its boat ramp, dock, and canoe launch giving river access.

Fish from your boat, kayak, or canoe; alternately, you can fish from the dock at the end of the boardwalk.

You'll find Sargeant Park about 5 miles east of I-75 off US 301. From Tampa, drive I-75 north to Fowler Avenue; go east on Fowler for about 1 1/2 miles, turning left onto US 301. Drive on US 301 for about 3 miles, and you'll find the park entrance on the left.

Trout Creek Park
(813) 987-6200
The 42-acre park is found near the mouth of Trout Creek. It's popular for fishing from the banks at its lakes. River fishing is done from the park's boardwalks.

Paddling is also a favorite adtivity at this park, and there's a canoe launch.

Take I-75 north to Fletcher Avenue, and drive northeast on Morris Bridge Road for about a half-mile; you'll find the park entrance on the left.

Morris Bridge Park
(813) 987-6209

If your Tampa Florida fishing vacations bring you to town for the bass fishing, better plan a fishing trip to this park!

The biggest and best of the Wilderness Parks for river fishing, the 106-acre park is situated on the Hillsborough River.

There's a fishing dock on each side of the park, with a boardwalk connecting the two park sides. The boardwalk runs under the Morris Bridge Road and gives fishing access, too.

You may fish from the boardwalk on the north side of the park, while a primitive fishing trail follows along the river on the south side of the park.

To get there from Tampa, drive I-75 north to Fletcher Avenue, and drive about 3 1/2 miles to Morris Bridge Road, which runs right through the park. Restrooms are on the north side of the park.

Wilderness Parks
12702 Highway 301
Thonotosassa FL 33592
Telephone: (813) 987-6200

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Florida Fishing Vacations: State Parks

Hillsborough River State Park

A great park for bass fishing and other fresh water species on the Hillsborough River. There are canoes and kayaks available for rental.

This park has a nice big swimming pool that is ADA accessible. Expect to pay a $2 fee per person for a day's swimming.

Full service RV and tent camping is found at this Florida state park, as well as primitive camping across the river. Pet camping is available, too, with park guidelines to follow to help make everyone's camping enjoyable.

Canoeing at Hillsborough State Park, Photo credit: Florida Parks

Another cool thing at Hillsborough River State Park is a replica of a fort from the Second Seminole War period in Florida. Be sure to tour Fort Foster if you're at the park on the weekends, when tours are offered.

You'll find Hillsborough River State Park about 9 miles north of Tampa on US Hwy 301.

Hillsborough River State Park
15402 U.S. 301 North
Thonotosassa, Florida 33592
Phone: 813-987-6771

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Alafia River State Park

The park is found directly east of Apollo Beach, just 10 miles southeast of Tampa on County Road 39. The south fork of the Alafia River offers up plenty of bream and largemouth bass fishing, where canoeing and kayaking are popular ways of getting to just the right spot to try your skills.

Numerous lakes are scattered throughout the park to fish for bass, catfish, and bluegill. Catch and release of largemouth bass is appreciated.

There's a full-service campground with heated showers, ADA-accessible picnic areas, and pets are welcome, too.

Alafia River State Park
14326 South County Road 39
Lithia, Florida 33547
Phone: 813-672-5320

Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations Information... Find Fishing Piers, Boat Ramps, Marinas, and Reefs

Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations.... Fresh Water Fishing Piers

Here's a quick summary of parks with fresh water fishing piers, ADA accessibility, and whether the pier has nearby fish attractors and the all-important restrooms. We've changed our minds many times about our fishing location, for reasons based mostly on the availability of potty facilities - It's best to know these little details ahead of time!

Park	ADA Accessible?	Restrooms?	Attractor?
Hillsborough River State Park	No	Yes	No
Lowry Park	Yes	Yes	Yes
Edward Medard Park	Yes	Yes	Yes
Al Lopez Park	Yes	Yes	Yes
Morris Bridge Rd. Park	No	Yes	No
Trout Creek Park	No	Yes	No
John B Sergeant Park	No	Yes	No

Tampa Florida fishing vacations: Saltwater Fishing Piers

Where	Address	City
Gandy Bridge Catwalk	Gandy Blvd	Tampa
Gandy Bridge East Catwalk	US 92 on Hillsborough Bay	Tampa
R.E. Olds Park & Fishing Pier	Lafayette Blvd at Safety Harbor	Oldsmar
Picnic Island Fishing Pier	End of Commerce St off Interbay	Tampa
Ballast Point Park	Ballast Point & Interbay Blvds on Hillsborough	Tampa

Florida fishing vacations.... Boat Ramps and Marinas Locations

Looking for a place to launch your boat? Here's a listing of public boat ramps, as well as a few marinas, in the Tampa area. The first line tells the name of where the ramp is at; the second line gives the approximate location; and the last line tells the ramp features, including ADA accessibility features.

Safety Harbor Marina
110 South Blvd, Safety Harbor, FL
Paved ramp, marina, Gas. ADA: Restrooms, Ramp, Parking

Phillippe Park
Bayshore Dr N. at Philippe Point, Safety Harbor, FL
paved ramp, 15' or larger boats. ADA: Restrooms

Baycrest Dr Ramp
Off Memorial Hwy, South of W. Hillsborough Ave, Tampa
Paved ramp

Courtney Campbell Causeway Ramp
North from Ramps to Tall Bridge, S. from Beach to Tall Bridge, Tampa
paved, boats greater than 15'

Gandy Ramp
Gandy & Westshore Blvds, Old Tampa Bay, Tampa
paved ramp, boats greater than 15'. ADA: restrooms, ramp, parking

VFW South Tampa
Westshore south from Gandy Blvd to Prescott Ln, Tampa

Picnic Island Fishing Pier
End of Commerce St, Off Interbay, Tampa
Paved ramp, boats greater than 15'. ADA: restrooms & ramp

Ballast Point Park
Ballast Point & Interbay Blvds on Hillsborough Ave, Tampa
Paved, ramp fee, Bait available. ADA: Restrooms, ramp, parking

Lowry Park Ramp
US 275 to Sligh Ave West, to North Blvd, N to Kinchley Dr, Tampa
Paved ramp, boats greater than 15'. ADA: restrooms, ramp, parking

Marjorie Park & Marina
115 Columbia Drive on Hillsborough Bay, Tampa
Paved ramp, marina with gas & bait available

Davis Islands Ramp & Seaplane Bay
Severn Ave, Davis Islands, Tampa
Paved ramp, boats greater than 15'

Seabreeze Restaurant Boat Ramp
3409 Causeway Blvd, Tampa
Paved ramp, boats greater than 15', bait available

Apollo Beach Marina
Surfside Blvd on Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach
Paved ramp, boats greater than 15', ramp fee, marina, gas, bait available

Land's End Marina & Boat Ramp
1220 Apollo Beach Blvd, Apollo Beach
Paved ramp, boats greater than 15', ramp fee, marina, gas, bait available

Try Artificial Reefs for Great Tampa Florida Fishing Vacations!

Artificial reefs are home to gamefish like grouper and snapper. Baitfish make themselves at home in the openings, and bigger fish - the ones anglers are after! - come looking for their dinner. You'll also find mackerel, barracuda, amberjack, and cobia around the reefs.

Boaters, we recommend that you try out the fishing around the articificial reefs in the Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay waters. We've included the location of each reef, the coordinates, the depth and what each reef is made of.

Courtney Campbell
Where: South of Courtney Campbell Cswy, Lat: 27 57.75 Long: -82 36.85
Materials: 400 x 200 yards of concrete pilings
Depth: 16 feet

Howard Frankland Site
Where: North of Gandy Bridge, Lat: 27 54.62 Long: -82 33.22
Materials: 400 x 200 Yards of Bridge Rubble & Pilings
Depth: 16 feet

Chief Reef
Where: South of Gandy Bridge, by Chamberlain H.S., Lat: 27 51.62 Long: -82 33.79
Materials: 50 Concrete Blocks, weight 500 lbs
Depth: 24 feet

Picnic Island Pier Reef
Where: South of Gandy Bridge, 75' from end of the Pier, Lat: 27 51.39 Long: -82 33.19
Concrete Pyramid Modules
Depth: 4 feet

Picnic Island Reef
Where: South of Gandy Bridge, Lat: 27 49.96 Long: -82 33.60
830 Cubic Yards of Concrete & Misc. Fittings
Depth: 26 feet

Ballast Point Pier
Where: off Ballast Point Park, around pier area, Lat: 27 53.27 Long: -82 28.75
Modules of Concrete Pilings, slabs & culverts
Depth: 8 feet

Bahia Beach Reef
Where: Between Intracoastal Waterway & Mangrove Pt, Lat: 27 44.91 Long: -82 30.88
Concrete Bridge and pile caps
Depth: 24 feet

More Florida Fishing Vacations Destinations on the Gulf Coast

St Petersburg Florida fishing vacations: Tampa's sister city, St Petersburg, is just across Old Tampa Bay. Be sure to try your luck at the Skyway Fishing Pier.

Clearwater Florida fishing vacations: If you're looking for pristine white sand beaches to practice a little surf fishing, or just a quieter fishing spot, Clearwater is just a short drive up the Gulf Coast.

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