Winter Sheepshead and Black Drum on the Anclote River
The Anclote River turns into a structure-fishing paradise from December through March. Sheepshead and drum tactics.
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TARPON SPRINGS
FISHING CHARTERS
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Tarpon Springs, FL
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About
Tarpon Springs Fishing
Tarpon Springs, famous for its historic sponge docks and Greek heritage, also offers exceptional fishing in the northern reaches of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Anclote River and surrounding flats provide outstanding habitat for snook, redfish, and speckled trout, while the Anclote Keys offshore serve as a magnet for cobia, tarpon, and permit during the warmer months.
The nearshore waters off Tarpon Springs feature productive rock piles and ledges where grouper, snapper, and sheepshead congregate. The area is less crowded than destinations farther south, giving anglers more room to explore. Tarpon Springs' unique cultural atmosphere, authentic Greek restaurants, and proximity to world-class fishing make it a charming and underrated destination on the Tampa Bay fishing scene.
Fishing Calendar
What's Biting in Tarpon Springs?
See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.
Color Key
Peak
Good
Fair
Off Season
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Inshore
|
G | G | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | G |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
F | F | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | F | F |
|
Nearshore
|
G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
G | G | G | G | P | G | G | G | P | P | G | G |
|
Inshore
|
P | P | G | G | F | - | - | - | - | F | G | P |
|
Inshore
|
F | F | G | P | P | G | G | G | P | P | G | F |
|
Inshore
|
G | F | G | G | P | G | F | F | G | P | G | G |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | P | G | G | F | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | G | P | P | F | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | F | F | F | F | F | G | P | G | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | F | G | P | G | F | G | G | P | G | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | F | G | G | P | P | G | G | F | - | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | G | P | G | F | - | - | - | G | F | - |
|
Inshore
|
- | - | - | F | G | P | P | G | - | - | - | - |
|
Nearshore
|
- | - | - | - | F | G | G | G | P | P | G | - |
|
Deep Sea Fishing
|
- | - | - | - | F | F | G | F | F | - | - | - |
Species Glossary
View Full Species Guide
Tarpon Springs Fish Species
16+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.
Inshore Species
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.
Nearshore Species
Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.
Deep Sea Fishing Species
Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.
Charter Guide
Fishing Charter Types in Tarpon Springs
Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.
INSHORE
Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.
View Inshore ChartersNEARSHORE
Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.
View Nearshore ChartersDEEP SEA FISHING
Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.
View Deep Sea Fishing ChartersTROLLING
Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.
View Trolling ChartersBOTTOM FISHING
Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.
View Bottom Fishing ChartersFLY FISHING
Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.
View Fly Fishing ChartersSURF FISHING
Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.
View Surf Fishing ChartersKAYAK FISHING
Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.
View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides
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Tarpon Springs Fishing Blog
Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in Tarpon Springs.
Guest Reviews
5
based on 6 reviews
Tarpon Springs Fishing Reviews
Redfish tailing on the flats near Anclote
Poled the shallow flats near Anclote Key at low tide and found redfish tailing in the turtle grass. Sight-casted with DOA shrimp and hooked six beautiful slot reds. The flats around Tarpon Springs have incredible redfish opportunities.
C
Captain Isaac
October 2025
Redfish
Speckled Trout
Grouper on the nearshore hard bottom
Fished some natural hard-bottom areas about eight miles west of Tarpon Springs and the gag grouper were eating everything. Caught five solid gags on live pinfish plus a bonus hogfish. Tarpon Springs has excellent nearshore bottom fishing that is often overlooked.
C
Captain Bianca
December 2025
Gag Grouper
Hogfish
Mangrove Snapper
Trout bite was red hot in the backcountry
Worked the backcountry creeks and grass flats behind Anclote Key with soft plastics and the speckled trout were feeding aggressively. Caught 20-plus trout with five gators over 23 inches. This area rarely gets fished and the trout population shows it.
C
Captain Dante
March 2025
Speckled Trout
Snook
Redfish
Perfect sheepshead trip by the sponge docks
Fished around the historic sponge dock pilings and seawalls in Tarpon Springs and the sheepshead were absolutely stacked. Dropped fiddler crabs and limited out in under two hours. Then caught some beautiful mangrove snapper as a bonus.
C
Captain Opal
February 2025
Sheepshead
Mangrove Snapper
Black Drum
Tarpon rolling off Anclote Key
Anchored off Anclote Key and found tarpon pouring through the pass on the outgoing tide. Free-lined live crabs and jumped five big tarpon, landing two over 100 pounds. Watching these silver kings leap out of the water never gets old.
C
Captain Felicia
June 2025
Tarpon
Jack Crevalle
Snook were loaded in the Anclote River
Fished the mangrove shorelines and docks along the Anclote River at dawn and the snook were waiting at every ambush point. Threw live pilchards tight to the mangroves and caught nine snook, keeping two beautiful slot fish for dinner. Tarpon Springs inshore fishing is fantastic.
C
Captain Stavros
July 2025
Snook
Redfish
Mangrove Snapper
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