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TAMPA BAY FISHING GUIDES .COM -
Tampa
is Florida's third most
populous city
with 300,000 people and over 24 square miles of inland waterways. Tampa
lies on Florida's largest inlet, Tampa Bay which separates it from its
sister city of St. Petersburg.
The beautiful clear flats
of Tampa Bay are studded with abundant mangrove shorelines. The West Coast of
Florida has some of the finest Backcountry fishing in the world! Hard fighting
game fish occupy the bay - Snook, Tarpon, Pompano, Redfish, Trout, and Permit.
The summer months are prime Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay, as the Tarpon move up
the west coast from world famous Boca Grande.
Tampa
Bay Facts:
- Tampa
Bay is the largest open-water estuary in Florida, encompassing nearly 400 square
miles and bordering three counties -- Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas.
- More
than 100 tributaries flow into Tampa Bay, including dozens of meandering, brackish-water
creeks and four major rivers -- the Hillsborough, Alafia, Manatee and Little Manatee.
- More than 200 species
of fish are found in Tampa Bay, including snook, redfish and spotted sea trout.
- Tampa Bays's Mangrove
islands are nesting areas for all sorts of waterbirds - from the white ibis, great
blue heronto rare species of migrating birds and waders.
- On average, Tampa Bay
is only 12 feet deep.
- The
Port of Tampa is Florida's largest port and consistently ranks among the top 10
ports nationwide in trade activity. It contributes billions annually to the region's
economy.
The Sunshine State of Florida is a world class paradise for sports anglers with
12,000
miles of rivers and streams, 1,200 miles of coastline, almost
8,000 lakes and 2,200 marinas. Freshwater fishing in Florida's canals, lakes,
ponds and rivers yields a huge variety of sport fish ranging from from largemouth
bass, bluegill, crappie, gar, to bottom dwelling catfish. Saltwater species include
Permit, Grouper and Tarpon. Take
a virtual fishing trip with Rob Grant in Florida for snook and redfish! Choose
from our selection of four online slideshows Click on the images below to start
your trip!
Join
Rob Grant on a virtual fishing charter on the Gulf
of Mexico with Capt. Sam Kimball / Capt. Mark
Johnston click here | Join
Rob Grant on a virtual fishing charter with Capt.
Matt Ercoli Tampa Bay Florida click
here | Join
Rob Grant on a virtual Fly Fishing expedition for snook and redfish on the famous
Tampa Bay flats. click
here | Join
Rob Grant on a virtual kayak fishing trip in the mangroves of Tampa Bay. click
here |
COMMON FLORIDA GAME FISH
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Snook
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Tarpon
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Redfish
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Description:
distinct lateral line; high, divided dorsal fin; sloping forehead; large mouth,
protruding lower jaw; grows much larger than other snooks; pelvic fin yellow.
Where found: from central Florida and South Texas south, usually INSHORE
in coastal and brackish waters, along mangrove shorelines, seawalls, and bridges;
also on reefs and pilings nearshore. Size: most catches 5 to 8 pounds.
*Florida Record: 44 lbs., 3 ozs. | Description:
last ray of dorsal fin extended into long filament; one dorsal fin; back dark
blue to green or greenish black, shading into bright silver on the sides; may
be brownish gold in estuarien waters; huge scales; mouth large and points upward.
Where found: primarily INSHORE fish, although adult fish spawn OFFSHORE
where the ribbon-like larval stage of the fish can be found. Size: most
angler catchs 40 to 50 pounds. *Florida Record: 243 lbs. | Description:
chin without barbels; copper bronze body, lighter shade in clear waters; one to
many spots at base of tail (rarely no spots); mouth horizontal and openng downward;
scales large. Where found: juveniles are an INSHORE fish, migrating out
of the estuaries at about 30 inches (4 years) and joining the spawning population
OFFSHORE. Size: one of 27 inches weighs about 8 pounds. *Florida Record:
51 lbs., 8 ozs. |
Permit
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Sea Trout
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Bonefish
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Description:
color gray, dark or iridescent blue above, shading to silvery sides, in dark waters
showing golden tints around breast; small permit have teeth on tongue (none on
pompano); no scutes; dorsal fin insertion directly above that of the anal fin;
17 to 21 soft anal rays. Where found: OFFSHORE on wrecks and debris,
INSHORE on grass flats, sand flats, and in channels; most abundant in south Florida,
with smaller specimens from every coastal county. Size: common to
25 pounds. *Florida Record: 51 lbs., 8 ozs. | Description:
dark gray or green above, with sky blue tinges shading to silvery and white below;
numerous distinct round black spots on back, extending to the dorsal fins and
tail; black margin on posterior of tail; no barbels; no scales on the soft dorsal
fin; one or two prominent canine teeth usually present at tip of upper jaw.
Where found: INSHORE and/or NEARSHORE over grass, sand and sandy bottoms;
move into slow-moving or still, deep waters in cold weather. Size: common
to 4 pounds on west coast, larger on east coast. *Florida Record: 15 lbs., 6 ozs.
| Description:
silvery color with bluish or greenish back; slender, round body; snout long, conical,
aiming downward and overhanging lower jaw; dark streaks between scales on upper
half of body and faint crossbands extending down to lateral line; extremities
of dorsal and caudal fins shaded with black. Similar Fish: ladyfish, Elops saurus
Where found: primarily INSHORE fish inhabiting shallows of the Florida
Keys; found in shallows often less than 1 foot deep, usually over lush grass flats,
occasionally over white sand. Size: 3 to 5 pounds. *Florida Record: 15
lbs., 6 ozs. |
Jack .
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Black
Drum
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Grouper
| Description:
color bluish-green to greenish-gold back and silvery or yellowish belly; soft
dorsal and anal fins almost identical in size; prominent black spot on operculum
(gill cover); black spot at the base of each pectoral fin; no scales on throat.
Where found: common in both INSHORE waters and the open sea.
Size: usually 3 to 5 pounds. *Florida Record: 51 lbs | Description:
high arched back; 10 to 14 pairs of chin barbels; gray or black colored body in
adults; young have 4 to 6 vertical bars; has cobblestone-like teeth capable of
crushing oysters; scales large. Where found: INSHORE fish common to
bays and lagoons; bottom dweller often found around oyster beds; also OFFSHORE.
Size: common to 30 pounds. *Florida Record: 93 lbs. | Description:
olive or gray body coloration with black blotches and brassy spots; gently rounded
preopercle. Similar Fish: gag M. microlepis; yellowfin grouper, M. venenosa.
Where found: OFFSHORE species; adults associated with rocky bottoms, reef,
and drop off walls in water over 60 feet deep; young may occur INSHORE in shallow
water. Size: common to 40 pounds, may attain weights exceeding 100
pounds. |
Tampa
Fishing Guides
Fish Tampa Bay, including the flats, backcountry and the Gulf of Mexico near
reefs and wrecks. Half day and full day trips available. Great rates!
click here |
| Tampa
Charter Fishing
Fish the flats and reefs of Tampa Bay for tarpon, snook, permit, redfish and cobia.
Light tackle or fly. Weekly fishing report. click
here |
Species | Min
Size (Max if Noted) | Daily
Catch Limit | Comments |
Amberjack,
Greater | 28"
Fork | 1
per person | |
Amberjack,
Lesser | 14"
Fork, max 22" Fork | 5
aggregate of lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish | Res:
W | Banded
Rudderfish | 14"
Fork, max 22" Fork | 5
aggregate of lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish | Res:
W | Billfish,
Sail | 63" | 1
per person, aggregate | Federal
Size Limits Apply | Billfish,
Blue Marlin | 99" | 1
per person, aggregate | Federal
Size Limits Apply | Billfish,
White Marlin | 66" | 1
per person, aggregate | Federal
Size Limits Apply | Black
Drum | 14"
Fork, max 22" Fork | 5
per person | Res:
W | Bluefish | 12"
Fork | 10
per person | Res:
W | Bonefish | 18" | 1
per person | |
Cobia | 33"
Fork | 2
per person | Res:
W | Dolphin | | 10
per person | Res:
G | Flounder | 12" | 10
per person | Spearing
OK Res: WGL |
Gray
Trigger | 12" | | Res:
G | Grouper,
Black | 24"
County Waters 22"
Gulf | 5
per person | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) |
Grouper,
Gag | 24"
County Waters 22"
Gulf | 5
per person | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) |
Grouper,
Red | 20" | | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) |
Grouper,
Scamp | 20" | | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) |
Grouper,
Yellowfin | 20" | | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) |
Grouper,
Yellowmouth | 20" | | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) |
Grouper,
Warsaw | | 1
per vessel | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) Illegal
to buy or sell |
Grouper,
Speckled Hind | | 1
per vessel | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) Illegal
to buy or sell |
Grouper,
Other | | Included
in Grouper Aggregate(5) | Nassau
and Jewfish prohibited |
Mackerel,
King | 24"
Fork | 2
per person | Res:
W | Mackerel,
Spanish | 12"
Fork | 10
per person | Transferring
to another vessel prohibited Res:
WL | Tampa Attractions
National Historic Landmark District Vertical Ventures Big Red Balloon
Company Florida Aquarium Lowry Park Zoo University of South Florida
Botanical Garden Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa Caladesi Island State
Park Gamble Plantation Historic State Park Anclote Key Preserve State
Park Egmont Key State Park Tampa Arts Gasparilla
Festival of The Arts Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center Tampa Theatre
Online Museum of Fine Arts Tampa Museums
Henry B. Plant Museum Tampa Bay History Center Florida Holocaust Museum
Florida International Museum MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry)
Ringling Museum of Art & Circus Museum
Tampa
Bay & Gulf Of Mexico Facts & Information
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Gulf
of Mexico Depth At a depth of more than 12,000 feet, Sigsbee Deep is
the deepest part of the Golf of Mexico . It is more than 300 miles long and is
sometimes called the “Grand Canyon under the sea.” Its closest point
to the Texas coast is 200 miles southeast of Brownsville. -
Gulf
of Mexico Size The total area of the Gulf of Mexico is about 600,000
square miles -
Gulf
of Mexico Width The shortest distance across the Gulf of Mexico is about
500 miles between the Mississippi Delta and the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.
The greatest distance across the Gulf of Mexico is approximately 1,000 miles going
east to west. -
Gulf
of Mexico Ports The Gulf of Mexico links the ports of five southern U.S
states (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) and six Mexican states
(Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo) with
the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. -
Gulf
of Mexico Shoreline The United States and Mexico form the Gulf of Mexico's
mainland shore, which extends more than 4,000 miles from the Florida Keys to Cabo
Catoche, at the northwestern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.
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Gulf
of Mexico Sanctuaries The Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
contains the northernmost tropical coral reefs in the U.S. Aransas National
Wildlife Refuge in Texas is the wintering ground of most of the world's whooping
cranes in the wild. Padre Island National Seashore in Texas is the nation's
longest stretch of undeveloped beach. Salt
Water Fishing
Saltwater License A
Florida saltwater fishing license is required to fish in saltwater or to possess
saltwater species. Bait
Bait is not included in bag limits.
Saltwater bait: shrimp, minnows, pilchards, pinfish, mullet, mojarras (shad),
or ballyhoo. Bait may be taken with hook and line, dip net (not wider than 3 feet
/ 0.9 m), and cast net. Manatee
Etiquette
Areas frequented by manatees
have been posted. Keep an eye out for manatees. Slow to an idle if observed, but
do not approach or molest. Lobster
and Queen Conch The taking
and possession of lobster and queen conch is prohibited. Recreational
Crabbing Stone crabs, during
open state season, and blue crabs may be taken by recreational fishermen using
attended gear (for example: star trap, baited line, landing net, etc.). Crabbers
are limited to five (5) traps. Unattended gear, including traps, is prohibited.
Shrimp Shrimp
may be taken by dip net (not wider than 3 feet / 0.9 m) or cast net, personal
use only, not for sale.
FLORIDA
FISHING GUIDES & VALUABLE
FISHING LINKS
GULF
COAST FISHING |
FL
KEYS / EVERGLADES FISHING |
CENTRAL
FLORIDA BASS FISHING |
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Everglades
National Park The
Everglades National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International
Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. Established
in 1947, the Everglades National Park covers 4,000
sq mi in southern Florida extending from Lake Okeechobee southward to
Florida Bay.
Federal Land comprises 1,398,617.13 acres, Non-Federal Land - 461.13 with the
gross total area acres of 1,399,078.26. The Everglades is a
unique ecosystem and is completely dependant upon water flow, making it one of
the largest and most productive estuaries in the world. The Everglades support
more than 350 species of birds and over 1,000 species of plants. The
annual average rainfall of more than 60 in. (152 cm) with most falling in the
summer. Big Cypress Swamp, to the northwest, and Lake Okeechobee are the chief
sources of its water. Everglades National Park is open year round. Highest
visitation is from December through April, and the lowest visitation is May through
November. Walking and canoe trails, boat tours and tram tours are excellent for
viewing wildlife, including alligators and a multitude of tropical and temperate
birds.
EVERGLADES
FISHING CHARTERS & GUIDES |
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Endangered Species in Everglades National Park: An
endangered species is a species of plant or animal that, throughout all or a significant
portion of its range, is in danger of extinction. Everglades National Park is,
or was at one time, home to fifteen endangered species.
American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Atlantic Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempi) Atlantic hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys
imbricata) Atlantic leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Cape Sable
seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritima mirabilis) Snail (Everglades) kite (Rostrhamus
sociabilis plumbeus) Wood stork (Mycteria americana) West Indian manatee
(Trichechus manatus) Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) Key Largo
wood rat (Neotoma floridana smalli) Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus
allapaticola) Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) Schaus swallowtail
butterfly (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus) Garber's Spurge (Chamaesyce garberi)
Florida
Kayaking
Kayaking on Florida's many lakes, rivers and oceans has become a very
popular activity for vacationers, family groups and solo paddlers. You
can rent kayaks daily, weekly or even by the hour at many locations. Your
skill level and degree of adventure will be your guide as to what type
of kayaking is right for you and your group.
Types of Kayaks Ocean-
An ocean kayak is a sit-on kayak where you actually are sitting on top of the
kayak. These kayaks are used mainly to paddle in the ocean, and are very buoyant
because there is no interior space for water to be collected as there is in an
ocean and river kayak. They handle waves very well, and are ideal for the ocean
adventurous person.
Whitewater-A whitewater kayak is a small
kayak that is used for riding the rapids. The miniature kayak actually
accelerates through whitewater making rapids easier and fun. These kayaks
are also used for special tricks. Skilled professionals are able to actually
pop in and out of the water with the boats, as well as ride waterfalls.
It is easy to maneuver, and simple to flip this boat over, back above
the water, if you should tip.
River-A river kayak is
your typical kayak. These kayaks are ideal for paddling on rivers, lakes, and
ponds. Guided tours are often run with river kayaks because they are the easiest
to handle, and the most practical for recreational kayaking.
Try taking a Sea Kayaking Tour to take
advantage of Florida's playground! Sea kayaking tours are offered all over Florida
- from the ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and in the Florida
Keys & Everglades.
Everglades
Fishing
Fishing abounds in the Everglades. The
unique combination of year-round warm water, brackish rivers and backcountry bays,
mangroves, oyster bars, estuaries, forage, and moving water, makes Southwest Florida
one of the leading fisheries in the World. The
nearshore bays, shallow flats and mangrove shorelines provides endless possibilities
to hook into a trophy Tarpon, Snook, or Redfish. Everglades
fishing is very diverse, from the shallow back country grass flats, to the outside
islands and canal systems. The Everglades National Park has
a large selection of fish species. With 1.4 million acres in the Park alone, everglades
fishing is very unique. In the same fishing charter, it is possible to catch bass
in the freshwater, snook in the backcountry, tarpon in the rivers, redfish on
the beaches as well as trout on the flats.
Fishing Regulations in the Everglades
All commercial fishing is prohibited in Everglades National Park.
Prohibited
Recreational Fishing Gear Except
for dip nets, cast nets, and landing nets, all other seines and nets are prohibited.
The use and possession of spear guns and spear poles are prohibited. Fresh
Water Fishing Freshwater
License A Florida freshwater fishing license is required to fish in freshwater
or to possess fresh water species. Bait-
Live or dead fish (including
minnows and shiners) or amphibians, and non-preserved fish eggs or roe, are prohibited.
Digging for bait inside the park is not permitted. Areas
Closed to Fishing No fishing
is allowed at the Ernest Coe Visitor Center lakes, Taylor Slough, Royal Palm Visitor
Center area and trails, Chekika Lake and along the Shark Valley Tram Road.
PLAN
YOUR EVERGLADES VACATION! |
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Moving to South Florida Paradise!
South
Florida and Southwest Florida
offers gorgeous beaches and a tropical lifestyle! With
less severe winters than many parts of the country you can expect to spend less
on winter clothing and heating fuel - making the cost of living more reasonable.
South Florida is one of the fastest-growing
areas in the state and a great business environment. South Florida's skilled workforce
and advanced infrastructure have helped the growth of more than 600 technology
companies and many Fortune 500 businesses.There is a great transportation network,
including a recent $438 million expansion and upgrade at Southwest Florida International
Airport. Historic and cultural amenities range from Seminole Indian reservations
to Thomas Edison's home, from hundreds of local art galleries to the region's
many performing arts centers making moving to this region in Florida very desirable.
The Southwest Florida real estate market is in full swing with golf communities,
condos, waterfront homes and all
types property. For more information on Florida relocation click
here
FLORIDA VACATION RENTALS |
Great deals on vacation homes and condos! Search by date, price, location.
Pictures & full descriptions! Click
here |
GULF
OF MEXICO FISHING CHARTERS & GUIDES |
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Ten Thousand Islands , Florida
The
Ten Thousand Islands is the coastal area in the Everglades National Park where
mangrove islands and shallow creeks make a wilderness maze.
Some of the islands are landmasses called keys but many are clumps of mangrove
trees rising out of coral reefs, oyster beds, and sandy shoals. The area lies
southeast of Naples and northwest of the Everglades National Park. The many islands
form a transition from the freshwater marsh of the "river of grass" to the open
salt water of the Gulf of Mexico. Marco Island is the largest of Florida's
Ten Thousand Islands, located on the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida.
Click here to learn more about the Ten Thousand
Islands
Our
network of Florida websites
give you everything you need to know to plan your trip online when visiting exciting
Everglades City ..
It's all right here at your fingertips...with just a click of your mouse!
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departing from several Florida locations. Include a cruise on your Florida vacation
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