Fishing at Tampa Bay Flats
2-4 hours
Moderate
Tampa Bay Flats is one of Florida’s most rewarding fishing destinations, offering shallow waters teeming with redfish, snook, and spotted seatrout. These flats provide an ideal fishing environment due to their combination of seagrass beds, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines, fostering abundant marine life. Anglers of all skill levels can experience year-round action, making it a prime spot for locals and visitors alike.
Located along Tampa Bay’s western shoreline, Weedon Island Preserve is a top destination for inshore fishing. Anglers can find quality redfish and snook in the winding mangrove tunnels and grass flats. The shallow, clear waters make for excellent sight-fishing opportunities. Kayak fishing is particularly popular due to the no-motor zones, ensuring a peaceful and undisturbed fishing experience.
On the northern side of Tampa Bay, the Double Branch Creek area offers some of the best opportunities for targeting gator trout in shallow waters. This area features mudflats and oyster bars, both of which attract baitfish, drawing in trophy-sized game fish. Anglers using live shrimp or artificial paddle-tail lures find great success, especially during early morning or late afternoon bites.
Apollo Beach presents anglers with access to expansive seagrass beds, ideal for catching redfish and flounder. The mix of deeper potholes and sandbars creates prime ambush locations for predators. Wading anglers and those fishing from skiffs will find consistent action, particularly during moving tides when fish feed aggressively.
Tampa Bay Flats’ diverse ecosystem supports year-round fishing, but fall and spring are peak seasons for trophy redfish and snook.
Oyster bars and mangrove edges are prime ambush points for predatory fish.
Live bait such as pinfish and shrimp often outperforms artificial lures in these waters.
Best times: Early mornings and late afternoons provide ideal conditions.
What to bring: Polarized sunglasses for spotting fish, sunscreen, and light tackle.
Getting there: Weedon Island is about 20 minutes from downtown Tampa by car.
Great destination! Enjoyed the open trail and peaceful outdoor atmosphere.
Eric is an awesome captain and goes the extra mile to make sure his clients have an awesome trip. Would highly recommend using him for your fishing charters.
Eric knows where the fish are! Great time.
Great experience! Eric was a great host, knowledgeable and we caught some huge fish!
We did a 4 hour fishing trip and we caught our limit of trout in 3 hours and spent the rest of the time watching dolphins. Excellent time. Will try to do it again if we come back here!
7.80 miExplore the shallow waters of Tampa Bay Flats for inshore fishing. Catch redfish, snook, and seatrout in Weedon Island Preserve. Popular for kayak fishing, this area is best visited in spring and fall for an optimal adventure.
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