Tampa Bay Fishing Charters

Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest open-water estuary. It is over 400 square miles and is accessible from Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee Counties. Rather than fresh water coming from a single river, Tampa bay has over a hundred small streams and rivers supplying fresh water. The Hillsborough River is the largest river providing fresh water to Tampa Bay. Fish Species such as Tarpon, Snook, and Redfish as juveniles live in Rivers, Streams and Brackish water until adulthood where they then move to open water such as Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Although Tampa Bay is over 400 Square miles the average depth is only 12 feet. Tampa Bay has a variety of different sea bottoms like sea grass beds, mud flats, and Oyster bars. The Mangrove lined coast and endless water trails and islands makes Tampa Bay the perfect place to fish. More than 200 species of fish are found in the waters of the bay. Most commonly fished species are Redfish, Snook, Trout, Sheepshead, and flounder. Other fish migrate into Tampa Bay during different seasons, such as King Fish, Spanish Mackerel, and Tarpon. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge and channel provide an amazing place for fish usually found in deeper water like Grouper, Triggerfish, and Snapper.

Year-round Fishing
During the cooler months warm-water outfalls from local power plants bordering Tampa Bay, not only does the warm water provide a safe spot for endangered manatees but it is the perfect place for spawning fish. The waters surrounding the Port of manatee are protected waters and are considered a high security zone. In order to fish the area Captain Rios attended a course to receive a permit to fish the shallow fish filled waters surrounding the power plant.

Tampa Bay provides the best habitats for a variety of species. If you want fish to eat or just a day of fun, Tampa bay is an ideal place for your next charter and Captain Rios loves nothing better than fishing in his own backyard.

Guests on the Spanish Sardine Fishing Charter are provided top-of-the-line Star Fishing Rods and Penn Fishing Reels to use during their fishing excursion. This quality equipment assures you the best fishing action while offering reliable and easy operation for every level of angler. You are also welcome to bring your own fishing gear if you’d like. We’ll put you on the fish either way.