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Port guide / Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida / Florida
Madeira Beach fishing guide
Madeira Beach is a John's Pass town: the pass between Madeira and Treasure Island is the working harbor for a big party boat and charter fleet, with Boca Ciega Bay on the inside and the Gulf beaches on the outside. Snook stack in the pass under the bridge and dock lights in summer, mangrove snapper crowd every piece of inshore structure, and half day boats run 9 to 12 miles out to 30 to 50 feet of water for snapper, grunts, porgies and sea bass. Compared with St. Petersburg, the nearest existing guide, this is a Gulf pass and beach fishery rather than a Tampa Bay one, and it is home base for Old Salt's King of the Beach kingfish tournaments every spring and fall.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Madeira Beach. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Johns Pass, Boca Ciega Bay, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Clearwater Beach, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Englewood to Tarpon Springs FL out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Madeira Beach. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Hubbard's Marina Fishing Reports (opens in a new tab) Coastal Angler Tampa Bay Fishing Reports and Forecasts (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Madeira Beach. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snook | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Mangrove snapper | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Grouper (red and gag) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak |
Snook
Peak: May, June, July, August, September, October
In summer they stack in John's Pass around the bridge and dock lights and cruise up and down the beaches.
Mangrove snapper
Peak: June, July, August, October
Summer mangroves sit on nearly any hard inshore structure and on the nearshore bottom the half day boats fish.
Redfish
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Year-round on the Boca Ciega Bay grass flats and oyster edges, with bull reds on the deeper flats in late summer.
Spotted seatrout
Peak: January, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Boca Ciega Bay grass flats behind the beaches hold trout most of the year.
Tarpon
Peak: May, June, July
Fish run the beaches and passes from March to October, heaviest May through July; private charters out of John's Pass target them.
King mackerel
Peak: April, October, November
Kings migrate past in spring and fall, which is why Old Salt holds its King of the Beach tournaments here in late April and November.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: April, October
Spring and fall runs along the beaches and nearshore; the King of the Beach even has its own Spanish mackerel division.
Grouper (red and gag)
Peak: October, November, December
Longer trips past about 20 miles and 100 feet improve the grouper odds; gag were only legal to keep in September in 2026.
Sheepshead
Peak: January, February, December
Fall through spring around docks, bridges and pilings, with February the standout month.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), summer
Summer season ran May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) through July 31. Private-vessel anglers must hold the free State Reef Fish Angler designation.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), fall
Open Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, then every day Oct. 9 to 22 (eight days added in September), Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
Recreational season was open Sept. 1 through Sept. 30 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf federal waters
Opened 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Recreational season open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13, closing at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31. Closed June 1 to July 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Tampa Bay region
Harvest is closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Aug. 31. Keeping one also requires a snook permit.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Tampa Bay region
Open year-round. Slot and bag are on the FWC red drum page.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Tampa Bay region
Open year-round with no seasonal closure under the 2026 regional rules.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Tarpon
Catch and release only statewide. Fish over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag for a record attempt.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Pass
John's Pass
Snook stack around the bridge and dock lights in summer, and the pass is the run out to the Gulf for the whole fleet.
- Beach
Madeira Beach and Treasure Island beaches
Snook move up and down the beaches in summer when they push out of the passes.
- Bay
Boca Ciega Bay
Grass flats behind the beaches for trout and redfish, with bull reds on the deeper flats in late summer.
- Reef
Nearshore bottom 9 to 12 miles out
Half day party boat grounds in 30 to 50 feet for gray snapper, grunts, porgies, black sea bass and the odd hogfish.
- Offshore
Offshore Gulf past 20 miles
Local boats call anything past about 20 miles or 100 feet offshore, and the longer trips out there improve the odds on bigger grouper and hogfish.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madeira Beach Municipal Marina ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 503 150th Ave, Madeira Beach, FL |
| 123rd Avenue ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 123rd Ave and Lagoon Ln, Treasure Island, FL |
| 100th Avenue ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | 100th Ave and Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL |
| War Veterans Memorial Park ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 9600 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL |
| Park Boulevard Park ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 18651 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL |
| Park Boulevard fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | 18651 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores, FL |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (1)
- Fuel dock
Don's Dock (John's Pass Village)
Fuel and bait dock inside John's Pass Village, next to Wild Seafood Market.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Hubbard's Marina (party boats and private charters, 170 Johns Pass Boardwalk) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Salty Dog Charters (Capt. Brandon) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Fintastic Offshore Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Go Fast Fishing Charters (Treasure Island side of John's Pass) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Old Salt Spring King of the Beach Kingfish Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually late April or early May
2026: April 30 to May 2 (Madeira Beach Recreation Complex, 200 Rex Place)Old Salt Fall King of the Beach Kingfish Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually November
2026: November 12 to 14, awards November 15 (Madeira Beach Recreation Complex)Old Salt Johnny Kellar Inshore Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually February
2026: February 19 and 21 (weigh-in at Bay Pines Marina)Tampa Bay Watch Tarpon Rodeo (catch and release, Tampa Bay) (opens in a new tab)
usually early to mid June
2026 was June 12; 2027 is set for June 4
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Madeira Beach, asked and answered
When is the next King of the Beach tournament in Madeira Beach?
The Fall King of the Beach runs November 12 to 14, 2026, with awards on November 15 at the Madeira Beach Recreation Complex. The spring edition is usually late April or early May; in 2026 it was April 30 to May 2.
Where do snook bite around John's Pass?
In summer they stack in the pass around the bridge and dock lights and move up and down the beaches. Harvest in the Tampa Bay region is closed Dec. 1 through February and May 1 through Aug. 31, and you need a snook permit to keep one.
How far out do the John's Pass half day boats fish?
Half day party boats run about 9 to 12 miles into 30 to 50 feet for gray snapper, grunts, porgies and black sea bass. Trips past about 20 miles and 100 feet improve the grouper odds.
Where can I launch a boat near Madeira Beach?
FWC lists a paid ramp at the Madeira Beach Municipal Marina on 150th Avenue, free ramps at 123rd and 100th Avenues on Treasure Island, and paid ramps at War Veterans Memorial Park and Park Boulevard Park.
Is red snapper open right now?
For private recreational anglers the 2026 fall season runs on set days through Jan. 4, 2027, with the next weekend Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. You need the free State Reef Fish Angler designation.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Madeira Beach
Sources for this guide (25), last checked 2026-10-27
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/tampa_bay/pages/boat_ramps.html (opens in a new tab)
- gis.myfwc.com/boating_guides/tampa_bay/pages/fishing_piers.html (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snook/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gag-grouper-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/ (opens in a new tab)
- oldsaltfishing.org/fishing-tournaments/fall-king-of-the-beach-kingfish-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- oldsaltfishing.org/fishing-tournaments/johnny-kellar-inshore-fishing-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- oldsaltfishing.org/fishing-tournaments/spring-king-of-the-beach-kingfish-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- hubbardsmarina.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- hubbardsmarina.com/category/hubbards-marina-fishing-reports/feed/ (opens in a new tab)
- reelcoquinafishing.com/blogs/florida-fishing-blog/st-pete-fishing-calendar (opens in a new tab)
- tampabaywatch.org/tarpon-rodeo (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/article/seasonal-fishing-guide (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/article/your-fishing-guide-to-st-pete-clearwater (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/dons-dock/139335 (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/fintastic-offshore-fishing-charters/140187 (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/go-fast-fishing-charters/139438 (opens in a new tab)
- visitstpeteclearwater.com/profile/salty-dog-charters/140206 (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Madeira Beach
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.