Tampa Bay Redfish ready for release!

Tampa Redfish Fishing Charter – Catch Trophy Reds Year-Round

Is there anything more exciting than booking a Tampa redfish fishing charter to see tailing redfish at sunrise? Tailing redfish aren’t always super common in Tampa Bay, but when you witness it, the beauty and adrenaline rush is like no other. The pursuit of redfish is actually one of my favorite skillsets and one of my favorite inshore species in general.

Tampa Bay is a special fishery because it has everything needed for a healthy redfish population:

• Oyster bars that hold bait and ambush points
• Mangrove shorelines that create shade and structure
• Access to shallow grass flats and deep water cuts
• Residential docks and seawalls
• Backcountry creeks and protected coves

 

Tampa Bay spans over 400 square miles of thriving estuary, constantly refreshed by freshwater inflow and tidal movement. That blend of saltwater and freshwater creates one of the most consistent redfish fisheries on Florida’s west coast. Whether we’re sight fishing on flooded flats or targeting structure edges, there’s always an opportunity if you understand how to read the water and tides.

Where I Like to Target Tampa Bay Redfish

Ruskin is my backyard, so you will frequently find me fishing areas such as:

• Cockroach Bay
• Simmons Park
• Joe Island
• Bishop’s Harbor
• Little Manatee River
• Alafia River creeks

 

In the cooler months, we spend a lot of time in creeks and the Little Manatee River. Redfish like to take cover and get warm in deeper pockets with darker mud bottoms. The river also protects us from strong winds, allowing us to fish comfortably even when conditions aren’t perfect.

One key strategy I focus on is getting back into low-pressure zones away from heavy boat traffic and tourist activity. Those hidden areas often hold hungry redfish willing to take live bait or artificial presentations. Reading water clarity, bait movement, and tide flow makes all the difference when on your Tampa redfish fishing charter.

When Is the Best Time to Catch Redfish?

The beautiful thing about Tampa Bay redfish is that you can catch them year-round. However, their feeding behavior changes with each passing season.

Spring

Spring redfish transition from rivers and deeper creeks back onto the flats. They’re feeding aggressively as water temperatures rise. This is a prime time to pitch live pilchards, shrimp, or artificial paddle tails to cruising fish.

Summer

In summer, redfish feed best early morning and late evening. Mangrove shade lines become key ambush zones. During intense heat, fish can become lethargic due to lower oxygen levels, so slowing down presentations and using cut threadfin or pilchards allows scent to do the work.

Fall (Peak Season)

Fall is peak redfish season in Tampa Bay and arguably the best time to book your Tampa redfish charter. Large schools of bull redfish move into the bay, creating exciting catch-and-release opportunities. These oversized fish produce long, drag-screaming runs and occasional sight-fishing opportunities in clean water. Handling these big breeders with care is critical—they are the future of our fishery.

Winter

Winter fishing can be slower, but quality fish are absolutely available. I downsize tackle and target mud flats during warming afternoon tides. Clearer water demands stealth, and there is nothing more rewarding than sneaking up on a wary redfish and making the perfect cast to watch the eat.

Redfish are heavily tide dependent. Fishing the top of incoming tides or outgoing tide movement around major and minor feed times drastically increases success. Understanding tide strategy is one of the biggest advantages you gain by fishing with a full-time Tampa redfish guide.

What to Expect on Your Tampa Redfish Fishing Charter

A Tampa Bay redfish charter typically consists of a four- to six-hour inshore trip using light spinning gear.

• 4–6 hour guided trips
• Light tackle spinning setups
• Live bait and artificial options
• Sight fishing when conditions allow
• Family-friendly environment
• Catch and release focused (legal harvest optional)

 

I personally favor the Okuma SRT 7’6″ medium fast rod paired with a 4000 Okuma Cedros. It’s light enough for casting all day but strong enough to pull big redfish away from docks, oyster bars, and mangroves.

All Salty Scales Tampa redfish charters are family-friendly. Whether you’re eight years old or seventy, beginner or experienced angler, my goal is simple: put you in a position to catch fish and leave knowing you learned something. Ideally, you’ll land your personal best redfish and create memories you’ll talk about for years.

There’s something special about watching the sun rise over Tampa Bay, hearing that drag scream, and feeling that powerful head shake. If you’re ready to experience one of Florida’s best inshore fisheries, let’s go find some redfish. Be sure to get you one of the coolest redfish fishing shirts every made over at the Salty Scales apparel store. Also, checkout this video on how I like to target redfish in Tampa Bay:

FAQ Section

What is the best month to catch redfish & book a Tampa redfish charter?

The best time to catch redfish in Tampa Bay is truly year-round, but the peak action typically happens in the fall when large schools of bull redfish move into the bay and aggressively feed around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines, creating incredible opportunities for drag-screaming runs and sight fishing; spring is also excellent as warming water temperatures push fish out of deeper rivers and creeks onto shallow flats where they actively feed on pilchards and shrimp, summer produces consistent bites early in the morning and late in the evening around mangrove shade lines and moving tides, and winter, while slightly slower, can reward patient anglers targeting warming mud flats during afternoon incoming tides when redfish gather in clearer water and become accessible to precise presentations, making tide movement and water temperature more important than the calendar when planning your Tampa Bay redfish fishing trip.

Are redfish good to eat?

Redfish are good to eat, especially when harvested within the legal slot size. Slot redfish (typically 18–27 inches in Florida) have firm, mild, slightly sweet white meat that grills, blackens, or pan-sears beautifully. Larger “bull” redfish are breeding fish and are almost always released, as their meat tends to be coarser and less desirable. Redfish are extremely popular in Southern cuisine, especially blackened redfish made famous in Louisiana. That said, they’re also an important inshore species, so responsible harvest and conservation matter. Many anglers choose catch and release to help protect Tampa Bay’s healthy redfish population for future generations.

Do we keep redfish?

I personally am a big advocate of catch and release. However, we can keep redfish within our legal limit, if the customer so desires.

Do I need a fishing license?

My license covers up to four anglers, you do NOT need to purchase a fishing license when fishing on a paid charter with Salty scales.