Edition #1 · Week of October 26, 2026 · Focus: Tampa Bay

Full Moon, Fall Reds and a Breezy Week on Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay inshore

Redfish: Local guides and tackle shops say the redfish bite has been solid around the bay. Fish are working flooded mangroves and bars on the higher water, usually early in the day, and spreading onto the flats when the tide drops. Fish from slot size up to well over the slot have been reported along the Pinellas shoreline between Pinellas Point and the Gandy Bridge. Shops also report reds below the Gandy on both sides of the bay and above the Courtney Campbell. Fresh cut sardine or pinfish has often outfished live bait.

Snook: The fall move has started. Some snook are sliding into canals, creeks and the mouths of rivers. Plenty are still on mangrove points, rocks and docks, and live sardines on a moving tide are the go-to.

Trout: Mostly slot-size fish on the drop-offs of the grass flats. Live sardines, shrimp under a float, or a jig with a soft-plastic tail will all work.

Also biting: Spanish mackerel are schooling in the bay, with the Skyway area and the St. Pete reef mentioned most. A wire leader or a spoon helps. There are a few tripletail on markers, a few small tarpon in the canals and creeks, and some surprise schools of bluefish near Picnic Island. Sheepshead are starting to show up on pilings and rocks, but most guides say to give them a little more cool weather.

Per the Tampa Bay Beacons fishing report (Oct. 19), with guide and tackle-shop input from Capt. Chuck Rogers, Capt. George Hastick, Gandy Bait & Tackle and Riviera Bait & Tackle.

Nearshore & offshore

The first kingfish of the fall have started to show, with a few scattered catches reported about 10 miles off the mouth of the bay. Everyone is hoping the main run is close behind. Mangrove snapper are said to be moving from the bay out to deeper water, which they usually do this time of year. Gag grouper is closed, so release any you catch (see below). With 20–25 knot winds forecast early in the week, plan any run outside for later in the week.

Conditions

• Water temperature: 73.6°F at the NOAA St. Petersburg station on Monday morning (NOAA 8726520).
• Moon & tides: Full moon early Monday, Oct. 26 (USNO). At St. Pete, the high tides come before dawn and the low tides late morning, dropping a bit below zero Tuesday through Friday. Expect skinny water on the flats midday and fish the early high water for the mangrove bite.
• Weather: The NWS marine forecast for Tampa Bay calls for northeast winds of 20–25 knots, with gusts near 30 on Wednesday and rough bay waters Monday through Wednesday. Winds ease to 15–20 knots Thursday and 10–15 knots by Friday, with isolated afternoon showers (NWS GMZ830).

Regulations to know this week

• Snook (Tampa Bay region): open through Nov. 30. Slot 28–33", 1 per person, and you need a snook permit (FWC).
• Redfish (Tampa Bay region): slot 18–27", 1 per person, 2 per boat (FWC).
• Spotted seatrout (Tampa Bay region): slot 15–19", 3 per person, and one fish over 19" allowed per boat (FWC).
• Flounder: closed statewide Oct. 15 – Nov. 30 (FWC).
• Gag grouper (Gulf state waters): closed since Oct. 1 for the rest of 2026 (FWC).
• Red snapper (Gulf, private recreational): open Fri.–Sun., Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, then Nov. 7–8. Minimum 16", 2 per person, and you need the State Reef Fish Angler designation (FWC).

Always confirm on MyFWC.com before you keep a fish.

Around the Gulf

• Panhandle: October is bull redfish time around Pensacola Pass (Tradition Fishing Charters). The NWS had a small craft advisory offshore Monday, with 4–6 ft seas.
• Nature Coast: Around Homosassa, trout are holding in 3–5 ft over broken “yellow” bottom and taking a jig under a popping cork. Redfish have been decent and keeper snook have been hard to find (Capt. William Toney via NatureCoaster, Oct. 9).
• Sarasota: Capt. Rick Grassett’s October outlook has snook moving toward docks and bridges in the ICW, and mackerel, tripletail and cobia in the coastal Gulf (Visit Sarasota).
• SW Florida: Schooling redfish, many 24–30", on the Pine Island flats on the early incoming tide (Florida Sportsman, Oct. 9–12 forecast).
• Keys: Key Largo guides are still catching mahi, and tuna are moving in (Captain Experiences).

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