Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida Fishing Apparel
Fishing Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida is where a slam is genuinely on the table. Snook in the mangroves, reds on the bars, tarpon rolling off the beaches at Boca Grande. Mangrove fishing means you are casting into cover and brushing branches, so sleeves take abuse as well as sun.
What that means for what you wear
Sleeves that survive the mangroves and dry after a wade. Tarpon season means long days holding a rod in open sun, which is where a hood and a high collar stop being about looks.
When to go
Tarpon peak from May into July. Snook fish year round with the best months either side of summer. Winter is the calm, clear, sight-fishing stretch.
Ports and launches
- Tampa
- St. Petersburg
- Sarasota
- Boca Grande
- Fort Myers
- Naples
- Chokoloskee
- Everglades City
What you are chasing
- Snook
- Tarpon
- Redfish
- Speckled trout
- Permit
Common questions
What should I wear fishing in Southwest Florida?
A hooded UPF 50+ long sleeve, a hat and sun gloves. Sleeves that survive the mangroves and dry after a wade. Tarpon season means long days holding a rod in open sun, which is where a hood and a high collar stop being about looks.
When is the best time to fish Southwest Florida?
Tarpon peak from May into July. Snook fish year round with the best months either side of summer. Winter is the calm, clear, sight-fishing stretch.
What do people catch around Tampa?
Mostly snook, tarpon, redfish, speckled trout and permit, depending on the season and how far out you run.