October 2026 Fishing Roundup — Tampa Bay, FL
Gag grouper season closed on September 30 after what our captains called "a great run." October trips turned back to the bay: speckled trout and Spanish mackerel arrived right on schedule, and redfish were plentiful on the flats and along the mangrove tree lines.
Here's October, answered as the questions you'd ask before booking a fall trip.
What's biting inside Tampa Bay in October?
Speckled trout and Spanish mackerel. Both showed up inside the bay on time and gave steady, fun action. They live in the same water, so one inshore trip covers both.
Redfish. Plentiful on the flats and along the mangrove tree lines. Reds are open all year in Tampa Bay with an 18 to 27 inch slot, so a fish in that range can go home for dinner.
Where did all the redfish come from?
You can follow them through our last three reports. In August the reds were tucked against the mangrove shorelines while their numbers built as fish moved in from the surrounding water. By mid September schools were pushing into the bay ahead of Red October.
October is the payoff: reds plentiful on the open flats as well as along the mangroves. If reds are the goal, book a redfish trip built around them.
Is grouper over until next year?
Gags are, until the next Gulf season opens. Red grouper are a different story. They came up nearshore and offshore in January, and in September they led the offshore bite alongside red snapper. A nearshore trip inside nine miles or an offshore trip past it is where to find them, weather permitting.
Can we fish for hogfish?
Yes. Hogfish, also called hog snapper, are back on the menu now through the winter and spring. They come up on offshore bottom trips, where the boat drops baits 40 to 100 feet onto Gulf wrecks and ledges; in January they were part of the offshore mixed bags. Capt. Ashmore runs our offshore trips past the nine mile line.
Which trip should I book?
For the most action with the shortest run, inshore: trout, Spanish mackerel and redfish in the same water, from $600 per boat for four hours, up to six guests. Trips leave at 8:00 AM, and four or six hour trips can also leave at 1:00 PM.
For red grouper or hogfish, nearshore starts at $650 and offshore at $950, and both depend on the Gulf. When it's too rough, inshore is the backup.
October dates filled as the month went on. To get a November date, call (813) 714-5670 or reserve online.