Flats Fishing in Florida - Florida Fish Species

°° Gag Grouper °°

In the shallow waters of Tarpon Springs where I fish for Grouper they hit hard and pull like a freight train. We often catch Grouper trolling but more commonly bottom fishing. Grouper are one of the best tasting fish fried.

The tackle most commonly used by Tarpon Springs fishing guides like myself would include heavy spinning rod or heavy conventional.

Grouper bite year round but the Hot Bite is from Oct. thru Dec.

°° Cobia °°

Cobia is a tenacious fighter! They just do not give up with their hard runs which usually rip off alot of line on a screaming reel. Cobia are powerful fish that pull like a Mac truck. Cobia are excellent on the grill.

Many Tampa Bay fishing guides like myself commonly use tackle that would include medium spinning rod or fly 8-12 weight.

Cobia bite year round but the Hot Bite is March and April.

°° Snook °°

Snook are the perfect gamefish sought after more than any other species in the Tarpon Springs area. Fishing for Snook is like a largemouth Bass on steroids. Snook are tremendous fighters and one of the best eating fish you'll ever taste.

15+ years as one of Tarpon Spring's fishing guides the tackle I most commonly use would include a light spinning rod, medium light bait caster or fly rod 8-10 weight.

Snook bite all year but the Hot Bite is from April thru Aug.

°° Tarpon °°

Tarpon are one of the most powerful fish pound for pound, in the world. Plenty of thrills and excitement that is sure to get your heart pumping, with their acrobatic jumps and leaps. Tarpon fishing is something you'll never forget.. Not good to eat strictly a sportfish.

As a verteran Boca Grande fishing guide the tackle I most commonly use would included medium- heavy spinning rod, heavy conventional and fly 10-12 weight.

The Hot Bite is from May thru Aug.

°° Redfish °°

Redfish are excellent fighters. They pull like a bulldog with their head down and fight the entire way to the boat. They are a very good eating fish. I prefer to blacken my Redfish on the grill.

As a Florida flats fishing guide the tackle I most commonly use would include light spinning rod and fly 6-8 weight.

Redfish bite all year but the Hot Bite is from Oct. thru Dec.

°° Spanish Mackerel °°

Spanish Mackerel are known for their high speed strikes and fierce runs. They are a thrill to hook for the adventurous angler who likes a good fight. These fish are awesome when smoked or grilled.

As a Florida Fishing Guide the tackle most commonly used would include light spinning rod or fly 4-8 weight.

The Hot bite is April and May and again in Oct. and Nov.

°° Kingfish °°

King Mackerel with their lightning fast strikes and long supersonic runs are every anglers dream. They will give you one breath-taking fight and usually a few jumps and leaps along the way. King Mackerel are excellent smoked or grilled.

As a Florida fishing guide the tackle most commonly used would include medium spinning rod, medium conventional or fly 8-10 weight.

The Hot Bite is April and May and again in Oct. and Nov.

°° Spotted Sea Trout °°

Spotted Sea Trout are our favorite to catch in Tarpon Springs for the sheer numbers and mass quantities. They are wonderful to catch for the kids as well as the "Big Kid" too! Trout are very good eating on the grill.

As a seasoned Inshore flats fishing guide the tackle I most commonly use would include light spinning rod or fly 4-6 weight.

Trout bite year round but the Hot Bite is from Feb. thru May and again Nov. and Dec.