Waterlands

NWS zone GMZ830 · Eastern Gulf

Tampa Bay waters fishing forecast

Florida · Gulf coast

Score now

76Great
Spotted seatrout · 4:00 AM EST
Named spots
195
Species scored
20
Tide stations
5
Open in the tide mapAll Florida bay systems

Overview

Tampa Bay waters is NWS marine zone GMZ830 on the Florida Gulf coast, in the Eastern Gulf species region. The Waterlands engine treats it as inland water (bays, sounds, straits). It holds 195 named features from the USGS Geographic Names Information System and has 5 NOAA tide stations nearby.

20 species are scored here in this forecast; Spotted seatrout, Red drum, Spanish mackerel, Florida pompano and Gag grouper are at peak season now.

At 4:00 AM it scores 76 (great), led by Spotted seatrout. The best window for the rest of today is 6-10 AM (flood tide), peaking at 83 for Spanish mackerel. Over the next 14 days the best hour is Tue, Nov 10 at 9 PM, scoring 85.

Best times to fish

Waterlands engine forecast computed 4:03 AM EST.

Best window today

6-10 AM · Flood tide

Top species: Spanish mackerel

83Great

Best hour of each day, next 14 days

  1. Thu, Nov 5

    83

    8 AM

    Spanish mackerel

  2. Fri, Nov 6

    82

    6 PM

    Spotted seatrout

  3. Sat, Nov 7

    81

    8 AM

    Spotted seatrout

  4. Sun, Nov 8

    80

    7 AM

    Spanish mackerel

  5. Mon, Nov 9

    80

    7 AM

    Spotted seatrout

  6. Tue, Nov 10

    85

    9 PM

    Spotted seatrout

    Best day

  7. Wed, Nov 11

    84

    2 AM

    Spotted seatrout

  8. Thu, Nov 12

    83

    3 PM

    Spotted seatrout

  9. Fri, Nov 13

    83

    7 AM

    Spanish mackerel

  10. Sat, Nov 14

    81

    7 AM

    Spotted seatrout

  11. Sun, Nov 15

    82

    5 PM

    Spotted seatrout

  12. Mon, Nov 16

    82

    8 AM

    Spotted seatrout

  13. Tue, Nov 17

    79

    7 AM

    Spotted seatrout

  14. Wed, Nov 18

    78

    5 PM

    Spotted seatrout

Species · 20

Listed for the Eastern Gulf region. Scores are this hour; season is where the species is in its year.

76Great
Spotted seatroutCynoscion nebulosus · inshore

Peak season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 10 at 9 PM (85)

74Great
Red drumSciaenops ocellatus · inshore

Peak season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Tue, Nov 10 at 9 PM (82)

73Great
Common snookCentropomus undecimalis · inshore

Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (79)

69Great
Spanish mackerelScomberomorus maculatus · nearshore

Peak season, about 2 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (82)

68Great
Black drumPogonias cromis · inshore

Shoulder season, about 12 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 9 AM (74)

64Good
Gray snapperLutjanus griseus · nearshore

Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (71)

63Good
Florida pompanoTrachinotus carolinus · surf

Peak season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Fri, Nov 13 at 4 PM (81)

61Good
SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus · inshore

Shoulder season, about 12 more weeks · Best day Fri, Nov 13 at 4 PM (70)

60Good
King mackerelScomberomorus cavalla · pelagic

Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 8 AM (71)

56Good
Gray triggerfishBalistes capriscus · offshore

Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Fri, Nov 13 at 4 PM (65)

56Good
Red grouperEpinephelus morio · offshore

Shoulder season, about 20 more weeks · Best day Fri, Nov 13 at 4 PM (65)

35Fair
Atlantic croakerMicropogonias undulatus · inshore

Off season, about 20 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 12 AM (35)

35Fair
Atlantic tarponMegalops atlanticus · inshore

Off season, about 20 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 12 AM (35)

35Fair
CobiaRachycentron canadum · nearshore

Off season, about 15 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 12 AM (35)

35Fair
Crevalle jackCaranx hippos · nearshore

Off season, about 16 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 12 AM (35)

35Fair
PermitTrachinotus falcatus · inshore

Off season, about 16 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 12 AM (35)

20Poor
Gag grouperMycteroperca microlepis · offshore

Peak season, about 8 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 12 AM (20)

20Poor
Southern flounderParalichthys lethostigma · bottom

Peak season, about 2 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 12 AM (20)

20Poor
Greater amberjackSeriola dumerili · offshore

Shoulder season, about 3 more weeks · Best day Thu, Nov 5 at 12 AM (20)

20Poor
Red snapperLutjanus campechanus · offshore

Shoulder season, about 25 more weeks · Best day Sat, Nov 7 at 11 PM (63)

Named spots · 195

Ranked by score this hour. Each spot has its own hourly forecast, tide, current and regulations.

183 more spots, A to Z

Nearest tide stations

St. PetersburgNOAA 87265202.2 miOld Port TampaNOAA 87266077.8 miPort ManateeNOAA 87263847.9 miEast BayNOAA 872667415.9 miClearwater BeachNOAA 872672421.5 mi

Regulations

FWC saltwater regulations Buy a Florida fishing license License types

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Synced with FWC Nov 4, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.

This bay system’s spots fall in Gulf (195 spots), Tampa Bay (red drum) (165 spots), Tampa Bay (snook) (165 spots), Tampa Bay (seatrout) (165 spots), Sarasota Bay (red drum) (28 spots), Sarasota Bay (snook) (28 spots), Sarasota Bay (seatrout) (28 spots), Big Bend (red drum) (1 spot), Charlotte Harbor (red drum) (1 spot), Big Bend (snook) (1 spot), Charlotte Harbor (snook) (1 spot), Big Bend (seatrout) (1 spot) and Charlotte Harbor (seatrout) (1 spot).

Gulf state waters (Escambia through Collier counties) · FWC

Atlantic croakerRetention open

Season: No closed season on file

100 pounds per person per day. No minimum size. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spot and Atlantic croaker · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gag grouperClosed

No retention

Season: Oct 1 to Dec 31, 2026

Closed for the rest of 2026 (Executive Order 26-26). The 2027 season has not been announced.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Groupers · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gray triggerfishRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 15 in, fork length

Season: Aug 1 to Dec 31, 2026

Changes to closed on Jan 1, 2027

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Gulf season is March 1 through May 31 and August 1 through December 31. Federal waters can close early if the quota is met.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Gray Triggerfish · verified Sep 13, 2026

Greater amberjackClosed

No retention

Season: Oct 14, 2026 to Aug 31, 2027

Executive Order 26-25 closes Gulf state waters from October 14, 2026 through August 31, 2027. The order itself says it expires November 1, 2026, so check with FWC for the status after that date.

FWC Executive Order 26-25: Gulf greater amberjack closure · verified Sep 13, 2026

King mackerelRetention open

3 per day · Minimum 24 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Hook and line and spearing only. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: King Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red grouperRetention open

2 per day (4 Gulf grouper combined) · Minimum 20 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Private-vessel anglers need the State Reef Fish Angler designation. Charter captain and crew bag limit is zero in state waters. No more than 4 grouper combined per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Open year-round in Gulf state waters. Federal waters close February 1 through March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Groupers · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red snapper(private recreational)Closed

No retention

Season: Aug 1, 2026 to Jan 4, 2027

Changes to retention open on Nov 7, 2026

Closed between the 2026 open days. The fall season is daily September 1 through October 4, then weekends and holidays only through January 4, 2027. The 2027 season has not been announced.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snappers · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red Drum Tampa Bay Region · FWC

Red drumRetention open

1 per day · Slot 18 to 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No spearing, gigging, bowfishing, snatch hooking, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Red Drum (Redfish) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Snook Tampa Bay Region · FWC

SnookRetention open

1 per day · Slot 28 to 33 in, total length

Season: Sep 1 to Nov 30, 2026

Changes to catch & release on Dec 1, 2026

Snook permit and saltwater fishing license required. Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line only. Closed December 1 through the end of February and May 1 through August 31. Open March 1 through April 30 and September 1 through November 30. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snook · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted Seatrout Tampa Bay Region · FWC

Spotted seatroutRetention open

3 per day · Slot 15 to 19 in, total length. One fish over 19 inches per vessel, or per person when fishing from shore, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters. New regional rules took effect April 1, 2026.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spotted Seatrout · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red Drum Sarasota Bay Region · FWC

Red drumRetention open

1 per day · Slot 18 to 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No spearing, gigging, bowfishing, snatch hooking, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Red Drum (Redfish) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Snook Sarasota Bay Region · FWC

SnookRetention open

1 per day · Slot 28 to 33 in, total length

Season: Sep 1 to Nov 30, 2026

Changes to catch & release on Dec 1, 2026

Snook permit and saltwater fishing license required. Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Sarasota County waters south of the Venice Municipal Airport are in the Charlotte Harbor region, which stays closed through September 30. Hook and line only. Closed December 1 through the end of February and May 1 through August 31. Open March 1 through April 30 and September 1 through November 30. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snook · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted Seatrout Sarasota Bay Region · FWC

Spotted seatroutRetention open

3 per day · Slot 15 to 19 in, total length. One fish over 19 inches per vessel, or per person when fishing from shore, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters. New regional rules took effect April 1, 2026.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spotted Seatrout · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red Drum Big Bend Region · FWC

Red drumRetention open

1 per day · Slot 18 to 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No spearing, gigging, bowfishing, snatch hooking, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Red Drum (Redfish) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Red Drum Charlotte Harbor Region · FWC

Red drumRetention open

1 per day · Slot 18 to 27 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No spearing, gigging, bowfishing, snatch hooking, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Red Drum (Redfish) · verified Sep 13, 2026

Snook Big Bend Region · FWC

SnookRetention open

1 per day · Slot 28 to 33 in, total length

Season: Sep 1 to Nov 30, 2026

Changes to catch & release on Dec 1, 2026

Snook permit and saltwater fishing license required. Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line only. Closed December 1 through the end of February and May 1 through August 31. Open March 1 through April 30 and September 1 through November 30. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snook · verified Sep 13, 2026

Snook Charlotte Harbor Region · FWC

SnookRetention open

1 per day · Slot 28 to 33 in, total length

Season: Oct 1 to Nov 30, 2026

Changes to catch & release on Dec 1, 2026

Snook permit and saltwater fishing license required. Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line only. Closed December 1 through the end of February and May 1 through September 30. Open March 1 through April 30 and October 1 through November 30. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snook · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted Seatrout Big Bend Region · FWC

Spotted seatroutRetention open

5 per day · Slot 15 to 19 in, total length. One fish over 19 inches per vessel, or per person when fishing from shore, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters. New regional rules took effect April 1, 2026.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spotted Seatrout · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spotted Seatrout Charlotte Harbor Region · FWC

Spotted seatroutRetention open

3 per day · Slot 15 to 19 in, total length. One fish over 19 inches per vessel, or per person when fishing from shore, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Must stay whole until landed ashore. For-hire captain and crew may not keep a bag limit. Hook and line or cast net only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. Regional rules apply in inland, state and adjacent federal waters. New regional rules took effect April 1, 2026.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spotted Seatrout · verified Sep 13, 2026

Statewide

Black drumRetention open

5 per day · Slot 14 to 24 in, total length. One fish over 24 inches allowed, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Black Drum · verified Sep 13, 2026

CobiaRetention open

1 per day · Minimum 36 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

1 per person or 2 per vessel, whichever is less. Spears, gigs, hook and line, seine or cast net.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Cobia · verified Sep 13, 2026

Crevalle jackRetention open

Season: No closed season on file

Two fish or 100 pounds per person per day, whichever is more. Crevalle jack is an unregulated species with this default limit. Hook and line, spears, gigs, haul seines and cast nets.

FWC Recreational Regulations: "Unregulated" Species · verified Sep 13, 2026

Florida pompanoRetention open

6 per day · Minimum 11 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, and beach or haul seine only. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round in state and federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Permit, Florida pompano and African pompano · verified Sep 13, 2026

Gray snapperRetention open

5 per day (10 snapper combined) · Minimum 10 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

Open year-round in Gulf and Atlantic state waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Counts toward the 10-snapper aggregate per person per day. Reef fish gear rules apply. Land with head and fins intact. Federal waters have a 12-inch minimum and a 10-fish bag.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Snappers · verified Sep 13, 2026

PermitRetention open

2 per day · Slot 11 to 22 in, fork length. One fish over 22 inches allowed per person, counted in the bag limit.

Season: No closed season on file

No more than 2 permit over 22 inches per vessel. Hook and line only in state waters. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Outside the Special Permit Zone. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Permit, Florida pompano and African pompano · verified Sep 13, 2026

SheepsheadRetention open

8 per day · Minimum 12 in, total length

Season: No closed season on file

State rules extend into federal waters. Special rules apply in Biscayne National Park. Hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. No multiple hooks with natural bait. No snatching. Open year-round. A 50-fish vessel limit applies in March and April.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Sheepshead · verified Sep 13, 2026

Southern flounderClosed

No retention

Season: Oct 15 to Nov 30, 2026

Changes to retention open on Dec 1, 2026

Annual fall closure in state and federal waters.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Flounder · verified Sep 13, 2026

Spanish mackerelRetention open

15 per day · Minimum 12 in, fork length

Season: No closed season on file

Beach or haul seine, cast net, hook and line, or spear. Open year-round.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Spanish Mackerel · verified Sep 13, 2026

TarponCatch & release

No retention

Season: No closed season on file

Tarpon over 40 inches must stay in the water. Special gear rules apply year-round in Boca Grande Pass. Hook and line only. No snagging, snatch hooking, spearing, or multiple hooks with natural bait. Applies in state and federal waters of the Gulf and Atlantic.

FWC Recreational Regulations: Tarpon · verified Sep 13, 2026

Other Florida bay systems