What's Biting FLgulf coast · Tarpon Springs to Anna Maria
Tampa Bay
Florida's largest open-water estuary. Snook, redfish and trout on the flats and mangroves, tarpon at the Skyway and passes, and a huge artificial reef and wreck fishery outside.
Today's report (2026-10-30)
Redfish, flounder, and snook are your best bets today around Tampa Bay. The strong 3.1 foot tide swing is pushing bait and making these fish active. Focus on Skyway Bridge, Fort De Soto, and Weedon Island. Redfish and snook are open for harvest, but flounder season is closed statewide, so any flounder you catch must be released.
The prime solunar window is this afternoon from 2:31 to 4:31, which lines up well with the low tide at 12:41. Watch out for northeast winds around 15 mph with gusts up to 23 mph, which can make the open water choppy.
Keep your boat pointed into the wind when anchoring near the bridges to stay steady.
Today's tide
Bite forecast
| Species | Fri, Oct 30 | Sat, Oct 31 | Sun, Nov 1 | Mon, Nov 2 | Tue, Nov 3 | Wed, Nov 4 | Thu, Nov 5 | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish (Red Drum) | 10 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| Flounder harvest closed | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release) |
| Snook | 9 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| Spotted Seatrout | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| King Mackerel | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| Spanish Mackerel | 9 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| Gag Grouper harvest closed | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft. Harvest closed in: Gulf Regulations (catch and release) |
| Mangrove (Gray) Snapper | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| Red Grouper harvest closed | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft. Harvest closed in: Gulf Regulations (catch and release) |
| Permit | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| Tripletail | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| Pompano | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
Score blends the seasonal pattern for each species with moon, tide swing, wind and weather. 10 is as good as it gets. Days 4 to 7 are an outlook: the moon and tides are certain, the weather is not.
Species in this region
9SnookCentropomus undecimalis
10Redfish (Red Drum)Sciaenops ocellatus
9Spotted SeatroutCynoscion nebulosus
4TarponMegalops atlanticus
10FlounderParalichthys lethostigma
6SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus
7CobiaRachycentron canadum
9King MackerelScomberomorus cavalla
9Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatus
6Red SnapperLutjanus campechanus
8Mangrove (Gray) SnapperLutjanus griseus
9Gag GrouperMycteroperca microlepis
8Red GrouperEpinephelus morio
7Greater AmberjackSeriola dumerili
8PermitTrachinotus falcatus
8TripletailLobotes surinamensis
6Black DrumPogonias cromis
4Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish)Coryphaena hippurus
7HogfishLachnolaimus maximus
7Gray TriggerfishBalistes capriscus
8PompanoTrachinotus carolinus
7BluefishPomatomus saltatrix