Are There Bluefish In Tampa Bay?

Fishing for Florida Blue Fish. As a kid growing up in the Northeast, we used to catch bluefish during the summer months from the Jersey Shore all the way up to the Coast of Maine. But I was pleasantly surprised recently to find one in the Florida’s largest estuary, better known as Tampa Bay.

Where can you find bluefish in Florida?

Florida bluefish are caught in the inshore bays, passes and inlets, and along the beaches. They prefer clean, clear water and water temperatures in the low to mid 70s. Bluefish school up in large numbers and are very aggressive. Often times bluefish will be seen feeding voraciously on the surface.

What kind of fish are in the Tampa Bay?

Anglers commonly catch Sheephead, Snapper, Grunt, Black Drum, Lady Fish and occasionally Trout, Snook, and Redfish. Ruskin Reef is located just off Bahia Beach. Tampa Bay now possesses the World’s longest fishing pier.

Are there bluefish in the Gulf of Mexico?

Smaller fish will often be found very near shorelines, along beaches and even in brackish bays. Larger fish will be found further offshore. In the Gulf of Mexico, bluefish seldom grow over 10 pounds, unlike on the Atlantic Coast, where the world record of 31 pounds, 12 ounces was set.

What fish are biting now in Tampa Bay?

The Grouper and Red Snapper are biting, but quite a ways offshore. In closer, you can find plenty of Mackerel, Tunny, Permit, Barracuda and Shark.

Are Florida bluefish good eating?

Treated properly, the bluefish is excellent eating, with mild, flaky meat, although larger specimens (those over 10 pounds) tend to have a stronger flavor than their smaller brethren.

Is there a size limit on bluefish in Florida?

The current size limit for bluefish — 12 inches from the nose to the fork of the tail — means most surf fishers have to toss back just about all the fish they catch. Because when the vast schools of bluefish make their twice-a year migrations along Florida’s coast, only the little fish swim in the surf line.

What is the most common fish in Tampa Bay?

Fishing for trout in Tampa Bay is without a question a favorite among the locals and people that travel to the area to fish. Trout are very prolific making them one of the most abundant sport fish in Tampa Bay. Also known as the Speckled Sea trout, they can be caught throughout the entire bay and along area beaches.

What is the best eating fish in Florida?

The Best Tasting Fish in Florida

• #1: Grouper. It doesn’t matter what species of grouper you catch, this is a must have on your table!
• #2: Snapper. This is another species of fish that no matter what kind you catch it is going to taste good!
• #3: Mackerel.
• #4: Dolphin fish.
• #5: Snook.
• #6: Flounder.
• #7: Mullet.
• #8: Pompano.

Is Tampa Bay saltwater or freshwater?

Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest open-water estuary, extending over 400 square miles (1,000 km²) and forming coastlines of Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas counties. The freshwater sources of the bay are distributed among over a hundred small tributaries, rather than a single river.

Can blue fish bite you?

Blues regularly nip chunks out of surfers and take divots out of bathers, and the vast majority of reported shark attacks on the Atlantic beaches are actually bluefish bites. Of course this won’t stop adventurous anglers from targeting the most injurious fish in the sea – and in fact it may act as motivation.

Are blue fish good eating?

Bluefish are an excellent source of selenium, niacin, vitamin B12, and omega-3s, and a good source of magnesium and potassium. There is a consumption advisory for bluefish due to contamination from mercury, PCBs, dioxin, and other chemicals.

Is Blue fish poisonous?

This outbreak emphasizes that scombroid-type poisoning (1) can be caused by nonscombroid fish such as bluefish, (2) is probably more common than currently recognized, and (3) may become even more widespread as fish become a larger part of our diet.

Where can I fish from shore in Tampa?

5 Tampa Bay Fishing Hot Spots to Visit

• Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. If you are looking for good fishing spots in Tampa Bay, head to the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier.
• Fort DeSoto County Park.
• Bishop’s Harbor.
• Edward Medard Reservoir.
• Lake Tarpon.

Are there red snapper in Tampa Bay?

Red snappers are an iconic species in Tampa Bay. Sign up for our red snapper fishing charters If you want to catch the biggest and brightest snappers. These fish are well-protected and in high demand, so catching one is a sought-after adventure.

What fish are biting in St. Petersburg?

Inshore, Spanish mackerel, redfish, trout and flounder are biting for much of the year. These species, along with perhaps the most famous local catch – snook – can be found swimming near the beaches, in the Intracoastal Waterway, as well as in bayous, passes and bays.

Is bluefish high in mercury?

Bluefish. Bluefish are fun to catch, will hit pretty much anything you drag through the water, and can really rip some line out on light tackle. But they are quite high in mercury levels, so eating bluefish in moderation is highly advised.

What bait is good for blue fish?

Best Bait for Bluefish
Good options include oily fish like eels. But really almost any form of baitfish can be used. Another option when learning how to catch bluefish is to use cut bait. Try chunks in the shape of small baits.

Can I eat bluefish raw?

In the past few years I have started eating bluefish raw (it’s amazing!); all you need is some good olive oil and a little bit of salt. You also can fry the skin and serve it like potato chips, which goes well with mayonnaise, or keep it simple and roast the fish whole.

When can I catch bluefish in Florida?

Runs of giant Blues—from 8 pounds to occa- sionally 20 or more, sometimes occur offshore and in the surf, usually in March and April on the Atlantic Coast and in late summer or fall in the Panhandle, but these are unpredictable.

What is blue fish taste like?

The taste of bluefish is as “fishy” as you can get. Bluefish has a strong flavor with edible skin. The meat is moist so they need to be cooked or eaten fresh from the ocean or else they tend to go bad fairly quickly. Bluefish are generally eaten raw, baked, poached, or smoked.