What's Biting FLTampa Bay
Spanish Mackerel in Tampa Bay
Fast retrieved spoons, Gotcha plugs and jigs around bait schools, piers, passes and nearshore reefs.
Next seven days
| Day | Bite | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Oct 30 | 9 | Strong tide swing 3.1 ft |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 8 | Breezy 21 mph. Strong tide swing 2.8 ft |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 5 | Breezy 18 mph. Rain likely 79%. Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky. Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 6 | Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 6 | |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 6 | Light wind |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 6 | Storms possible, fish early and watch the sky |
Seasonal pattern
Jan
Feb
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Apr
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Dec
Editorial baseline for Florida. Green months are prime, yellow fair, red slow. Preferred water temperature 68–82°F.
Regulations that apply here
Applies to: Gulf and Atlantic State Waters
| Species / zone | Season | Size | Bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Mackerel Statewide | open now Open year-round | 12" fork length | 15 per harvester | Legal Gear: beach or haul seine, cast net, hook and line, spear |
- The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is hosting a series of port meetings along the Atlantic coast to take a focused look at the commercial and recreational king and Spanish mackerel fisheries. Input gathered during these port meetings will directly affect future management efforts for king and Spanish mackerel.
Source: FWC, extracted 2026-10-29.