The city of Tampa and the surrounding area in Florida can provide a variety of largemouth bass fishing resources. Whether you are a Tampa resident looking to get away from the hustle of the city, or a Florida vacationer looking for a trophy fish, bass fishing is a fun and healthy outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by relative novices as well as lifelong anglers.
Area Waters
You will find a number of bass lakes within reach of the city of Tampa. Lake Thonotosassa and Edward Medard Reservoir, both located in the Tampa area, offer ample bass fishing. Lake Tarpon is located a little farther away to the north, but is regarded as one of the top sport fishing lakes in Florida, boasting healthy populations of largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. The Hillsborough River is another top spot, emptying into Tampa Bay. The lake draws bass fishermen as well as anglers pursuing bluegill and catfish.
Habitat
Tampa area lakes have a variety of cover that attracts largemouth bass, and you can catch these fish in a number of areas. Canal mouths and edges typically hold bass, as do ledges, docks and underwater humps. Coontail and eelgrass beds are common bass-attracting vegetation, and bulrush edges can be productive as well.
Fishing Tips
Live bait can be a useful tool in bass fishing; wild shiners and live shad are staples of Florida bass fishing that can be effective for beginners and are often employed by fishing guides. Rig the baitfish under a float or on a free line and fish in the areas mentioned above. If you prefer artificial lures, plastic worms tend to bring anglers success, and can be pitched or flipped to cover. Shad-imitating jigs, crankbaits and jerkbaits sometimes catch bass; topwaters are useful as well, and can be most effective at dawn and dusk.
Regulations
You can keep up to five bass in a day of fishing in the Tampa area. The minimum size is 14 inches---all smaller bass must be immediately released---and only one may be 22 inches or larger. Bass fishing season is open year-round.
Licenses
Be sure to pick up a current, valid Florida fishing license before you wet a line in the Tampa area. You can purchase a fishing licenses at most bait shops and sporting goods stores, or through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website.
Considerations
As a fisherman in Florida, always be aware that you share the water with alligators. While these animals rarely attach humans, they are still potentially dangerous. The Hillsborough River in particular is known to harbor thousands of these animals, and due caution should be exercised when entering their domain.
References
- Florida Freshwater Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: Southwest Region Fishing Forecast
- Florida Freshwater Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: Freshwater Fishing Regulations 2010-11
- Florida Fishing Info: Hillsborough County Florida Fishing
- Florida Fishing Lakes: Pinellas County FL Fishing
- A Guide To Florida Bass Fishing: Shiners for Trophy Bass
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