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.

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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

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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.
  
• 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.

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
South West Florida Fishing Guides.com click here Enjoy a thrilling day on the water, fishing along Florida's Gulf Coast with one of our expert fishing guides. click here Florida Back Country Fishing Light tackle or flyfishing for tarpon, redfish, snook and more. Fishing the flats & backcountry near Fort Myers, Sanibel, Captiva, Naples and Pine Island. click here	South Florida Fishing Guides.com Guided Fishing in the Upper Florida Keys, Everglades National Park or the Biscayne Bay. Use light tackle or fly fish for bonefish, redfish, snook, tarpon and more. click here Everglades Fishing Charter.com click here	Florida Tarpon Fishing Guides.com Florida Tarpon Guaranteed! Catch gaint tarpon along Florida's beautiful west coast. click here Florida Fly Fishing Guides.com click here Florida Vacation Rentals click here

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.

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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

GULF OF MEXICO FISHING CHARTERS & GUIDES
Gulf of Mexico Deep Sea Fishing.com Rod-bending, reel-screaming fun awaits on your offshore Gulf fishing charter. click here Gulf Coast Fishing.org click here Florida Vacation Rentals click here Florida Tarpon Fishing Guide.com click here	Gulf Coast Fishing Charter.com Enjoy the fishing trip of a lifetime in the Gulf of Mexico! click here Gulf of Mexico Cruises.com click here Sport Fishing Guides.com click here	Florida Deep Sea Fishing Charters Deep-sea fishing for red snapper, kingfish, ling, wahoo, dorado, shark, amberjack, barracuda, bonito and more! click here Florida Tarpon Fishing Guides.com click here Florida Gulf Coast Hotels.com click here

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

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