Catching redfish on Tampa Bay’s grass flats is a thrilling, visual fishery. The shallow, clear water lets you see reds tailing, cruising, or waking as they hunt crabs and baitfish. Move quietly, cast accurately, and use natural baits like soft-plastic shrimp, gold spoons, or live bait. Early mornings and outgoing tides are best, especially along pothole edges and mangrove shorelines. Clear water, sight-fishing, and strong fish make it a memorable trip.
Catching American red snapper and mangrove snapper is exciting for anglers of any skill. The American red snapper, bright red with firm, tasty meat, is prized for sport and eating. They’re usually near reefs and wrecks in deeper water (around 120 ft+), which makes them a challenging but rewarding catch. Mangrove snapper are smaller but aggressive; they live around mangroves, shallow and deeper reefs, and structures, so they’re easy and fun to target year-round.