UTERBlackfin tuna fishing in Tampa Bay
In Tampa Bay, blackfin tuna peak December–March and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Winter blackfin behind the shrimp boats offshore.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Blackfin tuna in Tampa Bay, month by month
- JanuaryPeakWinter blackfin behind the shrimp boats offshore.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilAround
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish blackfin tuna 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 943 ledge / hard bottom, 521 artificial reef, 191 wreck spots in the Tampa Bay & Sarasota map area — the kinds blackfin tuna hold on.
What to use for blackfin tuna
- 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.
- Threadfin herring (greenbacks)Nose-hooked on a circle hook and free-lined, or slow-trolled. Fragile — handle them wet and fast.
- Goggle-eyesBridled through the eye sockets for sailfish and kingfish, kite-fished or slow-trolled.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 70–86°F water, best at 74–82°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch blackfin tuna in Tampa Bay?
Peak season is December–March. Blackfin tuna are here year-round. January: Winter blackfin behind the shrimp boats offshore.
Where do blackfin tuna hold in Tampa Bay?
Look on wreck, artificial reef — around Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice.
What is the best bait for blackfin tuna in Tampa Bay?
Live bait: pilchards (whitebait), threadfin herring (greenbacks), goggle-eyes. 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. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for blackfin tuna 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 blackfin tuna · Tampa Bay & Sarasota, the whole year