Fishing Tampa Bay in February can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding — especially in between cold fronts when the weather turns pristine and the water begins to stabilize. This February has been slower than usual due to a series of strong cold fronts that dramatically impacted water temperatures. We watched the temperature drop from 64 degrees to 52 degrees almost overnight, and when that happens, the fish absolutely feel it.
Understanding how these cold swings affect behavior is the key to success this time of year.
Inshore Fishing: Slow Down and Be Intentional
When the water temperature tanks, fish become lethargic. They’re not as willing to chase down a fast-moving bait, which means anglers must adjust their presentation.
Deep water cuts in the rivers are currently holding an abundance of healthy speckled trout. These fish stack up in deeper holes where the water temperature is slightly more stable. A frisky live shrimp or a DOA lure rigged on a 1/4-ounce jig head, fished slowly along the bottom, has been producing consistent results. The most important adjustment? Slow your retrieve down — then slow it down again. These fish are cold, but they still have to eat.
Snook, on the other hand, have been heavily impacted by the temperature drop. While they will feed, their bite windows are shorter and more specific. Targeting them under mangroves or in deeper flat pockets with live shrimp or pinfish has been the best approach. Patience is critical. The bites may be fewer, but when the window opens, it can happen quickly.
Redfish tend to tolerate colder water much better than snook. They remain reliable even during these cold stretches. Free-lining a live pinfish around oyster bars, mangrove edges, or tree-lined shorelines in areas with steady water flow can produce solid action. If you locate a good cut with current moving through it, chances are redfish won’t be far behind.
Offshore Fishing: Moving Deeper with the Fish
Offshore fishing has been pleasant weather-wise, but the fish have shifted deeper compared to December patterns. In December, we found solid numbers of fish in the 40-foot range. Currently, the most productive depth zone has been between 55 and 75 feet.
Target healthy ledges and natural bottom structure to locate:
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Hogfish
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Mangrove snapper
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Lane snapper
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Flounder
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Grunts
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Porgies
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Red grouper
You will likely catch your fair share of gag grouper as well, but remember — gag grouper season is closed, so it’s strictly catch and release.
Tackle & Rigging for Clear Winter Water
If you follow my channels, you know I favor lighter tackle, especially when the water turns gin clear during the winter months.
My go-to setup offshore has been:
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Okuma SRT Heavy Action Spinning Rod
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Paired with a Okuma Cedros 4000 spinning reel
This combination provides enough backbone to pull quality fish off the bottom while remaining sensitive enough to detect subtle winter bites.
When the water is ultra-clear, lighter terminal tackle makes a significant difference:
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20lb fluorocarbon leader
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2/0 Owner hook
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2 oz lead sinker
Both the knocker rig and the Carolina rig have been effective offshore, depending on current and structure. Subtle presentations are key this time of year. Downsizing tackle and slowing your movements can dramatically improve your success rate.
The February Mindset
February fishing in Tampa Bay is about adapting. It’s about understanding that cold fronts change everything — from depth patterns to feeding behavior. Anglers who adjust, slow down, and fish smarter rather than faster will consistently outproduce those who don’t.
The fish are still here. They’re just not in the same mood they were in the fall.
If you can time your trips between fronts, focus on deeper water, and refine your presentations, February can deliver some of the healthiest trout, reliable redfish action, and quality offshore bottom fishing of the winter season.
Patience. Precision. Persistence.
That’s how you win in February. 🎣
