Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, & Clearwater Fishing Reports (April 2024)
Tampa, FL – Updated April 9th, 2024 – Boatsetter collects local inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing reports from expert fishing guides and boaters who regularly fish the waters of Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Madeira Beach, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Clearwater and the surrounding areas. Bookmark this page and check back every couple weeks for up-to-date information on locations, fish species, bait & tackle, and other tips to maximize your chances of success planning your next fishing trip.
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April 2024 Fishing Reports
Tampa – St. Petersburg
Capt. Matt Luttman
– April 7, 2024
- INSHORE: Water temperatures are heating up, and so is the bite! Redfish, snook, speckled trout, and mackerel are on a mission to fatten up on the big fluctuations of baitfish coming inshore. Use small pinfish and grunt freelined on the drop offs near grass flats close to the beaches and whitebait in the potholes to target them.
- OFFSHORE: Red grouper and mangrove snapper are all over the hard bottom in 100-130 feet of water. Use small live baits for the snapper and bigger live and dead baits for the grouper. On the ledges and wrecks in 60-140 foot, gag grouper have dominated the bottom making it hard to catch anything else, but a freelined live bait will likely land you a nice cobia or the chance at a blackfin tuna.
- Capt. Matt offers guided fishing charters from a 23’ Hanson Tower Boat. Check out the boat and book a fishing charter with Capt. Matt.
Madeira Beach
Capt. Frank Hutchko
– April 4, 2024
- OFFSHORE: The winds have not been our friend this last month limiting our offshore trips to a few, but with the opening of offshore grouper on April 1st, we have seen some impressive catches when we get out there! The African pompano are still cooperating with limit catches on all trips and the big red grouper are chewing real good in 140-160 ft .. live bait along with frozen threadfins have been the ticket! And if you’re popping a “slow pitch” jig off the bottom it’s pretty much hang on! The blackfin tuna are showing up in good numbers with the warmer water temps and trolling the offshore wrecks and springs are producing a few nice fish .. the lane snapper light tackle bite is extremely strong in 120ft!
- NEARSHORE (15-25 mi): The Hogfish are starting to slow down but the king mackerel are arriving in numbers and early indications are some big smokers leading the way, bottom fishing grey snappers and porgies in that 55 ft range has been nothing short of non-stop rod-bending action for our customers. If you’re looking to try your luck at filling the freezer, reach out.
- Capt. Frank offers guided fishing charters from a 36’ Yellowfin Center Console. Check out the boat and book a fishing charter with Capt. Frank.
March 2024 Fishing Reports
Tampa – St. Petersburg
Capt. Christopher Soto
– March 12, 2024
- Snook: With the warmer temperatures moving in, so are the numbers of snook. Many schools of fish focused up against the mangroves and edge of flats. Eating every white bait thrown at them.
- Redfish: The reds are mixed in with the snook around the mangroves, flats and docks.
- Trout: Trout are still scattered throughout the flats. Focusing on the deeper holes and deeper water off the flat.
- Tarpon: Some smaller schools of large fish are starting to show up already. The warmer temperatures will bring more fish.
- Capt. Christopher guides fishing charters from a 21′ Cobia Bay Boat. Check out the boat and book a fishing charter with Capt. Christopher.
Clearwater – Dunedin – Palm Harbor
Capt. Angelo Gentile
– March 8, 2024
- Inshore Dunedin / Palm Harbor areas: As the water temps are slowly warming up, there have been good sized Redfish in the mangrove shorelines. You can use large live Shrimp, live or cut Pinfish or Sardines near the bushes. Look for schools or lines of mullet to locate the redfish. Speckled trout are still holding in the grass flats and around the spoil islands in 4 feet of clear water over grassy bottom. Live Shrimp or Live Sardine under a cork works well. Tight lines!
- Capt. Angelo guides fishing charters from a 21′ Tidewater Center Console. Check out the boat and book a fishing charter with Capt. Angelo.
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Luke is a Director of Boatsetter’s Fishing team, supporting fishing operators and boat owners earning income on Boatsetter along with guests planning fishing experiences. Previously, Luke co-founded Fisher Guiding, a platform for booking fishing guides, with his friend Edward before both joined Boatsetter in an acquisition in 2020. The best part of his job is meeting fishing captains, boaters, and fellow anglers across the country and helping people try a new experience, whether it’s fishing for the first time or exploring new waters.
