The fishery surrounding St. Petersburg is as diverse and exciting as anywhere else in Florida.
The wide variety of marine habitats supports a huge number of fish species. From Tampa Bay, the largest estuary in Florida, to the nearshore wrecks and reefs, there is always somewhere to catch many different species of fish.
Numerous game fish call the inshore waters home year-round, and several seasonal species add to the mix in the spring and summer months when the water temperature increases.
The staples of the inshore fishery include redfish, sea trout, snook, flounder, and black drum. These core species can be targeted year-round, although some species are certainly more difficult to catch when the water is at its coldest. In May, the tarpon migration arrives in the area, bringing with it thousands of tarpon up to 200lbs. Tarpon are very special, and dedicated charter trips are scheduled to seek out these beasts of the ocean.
On the other hand grouper, snappers, and sheepshead are species that become more prevalent inshore as the water cools in the fall. These three species are a blast to catch and delicious to eat. These are a few examples of species that can be found inshore or nearshore at various parts of the year.
A variety of sharks can be caught in the region, with peak shark activity occurring in the warmest months. Everything from small bonnetheads to large bull sharks can be caught in the area. Targeting sharks can make for an extremely fun day of fishing and some sharks, like blacktips and sandbar sharks, are quite good to eat as well.
To add to the list of available species of game fish, a short boat ride out to our nearshore fishery can result in some action-packed pelagic species fishing. In the warmer months king mackerel, spanish mackerel, cobia, permit arrive in the area. In particular, king mackerel and cobia are extremely fun to catch, they are often found patrolling the surface of the deeper nearshore waters. Both species are very strong, with cobia possibly being the best fighting fish pound for pound in the area.
Captain Kevin Walton of Non-Stop Fishing Charters has a wide range of options to ensure a great fishing trip throughout the year. The variety of styles and approaches make for endless opportunities to have an excellent day on the water. Summer season is now approaching, with possibly the greatest species available to catch, so book your trip now!
