UTERJack crevalle fishing in Tampa Bay
In Tampa Bay, jack crevalle peak May–November and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. September: Busting bait in the bay as the fall run starts.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Jack crevalle in Tampa Bay, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MayPeak
- JunePeakPeak tarpon; snook on the beaches at dawn; snapper on the reefs. Tarpon everywhere on the beach and in the bay; snook cruise the beach trough in a foot of water at first light. Mangrove snapper on every reef and bridge.
- JulyPeakSnapper spawn on the reefs; tarpon linger; fish dawn and dark. The best snapper fishing of the year on the nearshore reefs and the Skyway. Flats at dawn only; night snook under the dock lights.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeakBusting bait in the bay as the fall run starts.
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish jack crevalle 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 1,374 grass flat, 883 dock / pilings, 46 pass / inlet, 34 beach / surf, 9 bridge spots in the Tampa Bay & Sarasota map area — the kinds jack crevalle hold on.
What to use for jack crevalle
- 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.
- Finger mulletLip-hooked on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook and free-lined, or on a fish-finder rig in the surf. Cut mullet on the bottom for redfish and drum.
- PinfishHooked through the back ahead of the dorsal on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook; the small ones free-lined, the big ones on a fish-finder rig.
- Leader30–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook3/0–5/0
- Jig head1/2–1 oz
- Braid20–30 lb
Feeds in 66–92°F water, best at 72–88°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch jack crevalle in Tampa Bay?
Peak season is May–November. Jack crevalle are here year-round. September: Busting bait in the bay as the fall run starts.
Where do jack crevalle hold in Tampa Bay?
Look on pass / inlet, beach / surf, grass flat, dock / pilings, bridge, channel edge — around Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice.
What is the best bait for jack crevalle in Tampa Bay?
Live bait: pilchards (whitebait), finger mullet, pinfish. 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 30–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook 3/0–5/0, jig head 1/2–1 oz, braid 20–30 lb.
What are the rules for jack crevalle 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
Fish Scouter scores jack crevalle for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about jack crevalle · Tampa Bay & Sarasota, the whole year