UTERLittle tunny fishing in Tampa Bay
In Tampa Bay, little tunny peak April–May and October–November and are around March–December, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Bonito blitzing bait off the beaches and reefs.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Little tunny in Tampa Bay, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakBonito blitzing bait off the beaches and reefs.
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberArriving
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish little tunny near Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa
Florida's biggest open-water estuary, ringed with grass flats, mangrove islands, oyster bars and the Skyway's endless pilings, then the barrier-island passes — Johns, Pass-a-Grille, Longboat, New Pass, Big Sarasota, Venice — and a dense field of artificial reefs a few miles off the beach.
Fish Scouter charts 521 artificial reef, 191 wreck, 46 pass / inlet, 34 beach / surf spots in the Tampa Bay & Sarasota map area — the kinds little tunny hold on.
What to use for little tunny
- Glass minnows (bay anchovies)Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook.
- Pilchards (whitebait)Free-lined or under a cork, hooked through the nose on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook. The one bait that catches everything inshore.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 66–86°F water, best at 70–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch little tunny in Tampa Bay?
Peak season is April–May and October–November. Little tunny are in Tampa Bay March–December. April: Bonito blitzing bait off the beaches and reefs.
Where do little tunny hold in Tampa Bay?
Look on artificial reef, pass / inlet, beach / surf, wreck — around Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice.
What is the best bait for little tunny in Tampa Bay?
Live bait: glass minnows (bay anchovies), pilchards (whitebait). Glass minnows (bay anchovies): Thrown by the handful as chum for Spanish, trout and ladyfish, or several on a tiny hook. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for little tunny in Tampa Bay?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about little tunny · Tampa Bay & Sarasota, the whole year