Boca Grande Fishing Report by Month
What's biting around Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island and Charlotte Harbor through the year, so you can plan the right trip for your dates.
What's biting, month by month
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarponcharters Apr–Jul | – | – | Fair | Best | Best | Best | Best | Fair | Fair | Fair | – | – |
| Snookinshore | Fair | Fair | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Fair |
| Redfishinshore | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good |
| Spotted seatroutinshore | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Best | Best |
| Sheepsheadinshore | Best | Best | Best | Fair | – | – | – | – | – | Fair | Fair | Good |
| Sharksshark trips | Fair | Fair | Good | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
| Grouper & snappernearshore | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Best | Best | Good |
| Spanish mackerel & kingfishnearshore | – | Fair | Best | Best | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Best | Best | Fair |
General seasonal patterns for the Boca Grande area. Weather, water temperature and regulations change from year to year, so call or text Capt. Jeff at 941-979-7059 for this week's bite.
Month-by-month notes
January
Cooler water pushes fish into the backcountry. Sheepshead and spotted seatrout lead the inshore bite, with redfish on warm afternoons.
Inshore tripsFebruary
Much like January: sheepshead are at their best and trout stay steady. Warm stretches wake up snook and redfish.
Inshore tripsMarch
The spring warm-up. Spanish mackerel and kingfish run the beaches, sheepshead finish strong, and snook get active.
Nearshore tripsApril
Tarpon arrive and tarpon charters begin. Snook and sharks heat up, and mackerel are still along the beaches.
Tarpon tripsMay
Prime tarpon in and around Boca Grande Pass. Snook move to the beaches and passes, and shark action is strong.
Tarpon tripsJune
Peak tarpon season. Big sharks follow the tarpon schools, and early mornings are great for snook.
Tarpon tripsJuly
The last month of tarpon charters. Summer pattern: early starts for snook, sharks and redfish.
Tarpon tripsAugust
Hot water, so fish early. Redfish start schooling, snook and sharks stay strong, and calm days are good on the nearshore reefs.
Inshore tripsSeptember
Redfish schools on the flats, snook moving back inside, and some tarpon still around the harbor.
Inshore tripsOctober
One of the best inshore months for redfish, snook and trout. Spanish mackerel and kingfish return, and nearshore grouper and snapper fish well.
Inshore tripsNovember
Strong fall bite for redfish and trout as snook transition. Mackerel and nearshore bottom fishing are good.
Nearshore tripsDecember
Cooler weather turns on trout and sheepshead, redfish settle into the backcountry, and calm days are good for nearshore bottom fishing.
Inshore trips
Ready to fish Boca Grande?
Send a reservation request or call or text Capt. Jeff. He'll confirm your date and get you on the fish.
941-979-7059