Saltwater Baits

Choosing between live and artificial bait in Tampa Bay depends on the angler and target species. Live bait, like whitebait and shrimp, offers natural movement and scent, often yielding more consistent results for trophy fish. Artificial baits, like Fish Bites and soft plastics, are convenient, durable, and allow anglers to cover more water, especially when fish are aggressively feeding.

Tampa Bay and the adjacent Gulf of Mexico offer a rich and diverse fishery. Success in these waters often hinges on the choice of bait, and live bait remains a consistently effective option for enticing a wide variety of game fish.

Whitebait

These small, silvery fish are a staple in the diet of many predatory fish in the area. Scaled sardines typically have a more rounded body, while pilchards are slightly more elongated. Why they work: Their abundance, natural forage appeal, and lively action on a hook make them irresistible to species like snook, redfish, trout, mackerel, and snapper. They can be fished live-lined, under a popping cork, or on a jig head.

Pinfish

Pinfish are small, hardy baitfish with a yellow or olive coloration and distinctive spines on their dorsal fin. Why they work: They are a favored food source for larger predators like grouper, snapper, and larger redfish. Their hardiness allows them to stay alive on a hook for a considerable time.

Threadfin Herring (Greenbacks)

These slender, iridescent baitfish are easily recognizable by the elongated, thread-like ray on their dorsal fin. Why they work: Their lively swimming action and flashing silver bodies are highly attractive to kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and other fast-moving pelagic species.

Live Shrimp

Live shrimp are a versatile bait available in various sizes. Why they work: Virtually every saltwater game fish will eat a shrimp. They are particularly effective for targeting redfish, trout, flounder, snook, and sheepshead. They can be fished under a popping cork, on a jig head, or simply free-lined.

Live Mullet

Mullet are robust, schooling fish with a greyish coloration. They come in various sizes, with finger mullet (smaller) and larger adult mullet both used as bait. Why they work: Larger predatory fish like snook, tarpon, sharks, and large redfish find mullet to be a substantial and appealing meal. They are often fished live-lined near structure or in areas where these larger predators congregate.

Live Crabs

Various types of small live crabs can be effective baits. Why they work: Sheepshead are particularly fond of crabs, but they can also attract black drum, permit, and even redfish. They are typically fished on the bottom near structure.

Live Sand Fleas (Mole Crabs)

These small, oval-shaped crustaceans are found burrowed in the sand along beaches. Why they work: Pompano are particularly attracted to sand fleas, making them a prime bait for surf fishing. They can also entice whiting and other bottom-feeding species.

Live Mud Minnows

Mud minnows are small, hardy fish with a dark brown or olive coloration. Why they work: They are a good all-around bait for various inshore species like redfish, flounder, and trout, especially in muddy or stained water conditions.

Modern fishing offers diverse alternatives to traditional live baits. Options include Fish Bites, Fish Gum, and Fish Balls. Lure choices can vary dramatically depending on the target species and specific location (inshore, offshore, or surf).

Infused Scent Baits

Baits such as Fish Bites and Fish Gum belong to the family of infused scented baits. While each brand touts unique advantages, all infused scented baits share some common characteristics:

Scent and Flavor: Infused with a concentrated "flavor/scent" that mimics the natural feeding stimulants fish use to find their prey. This scent is released slowly into the water as the bait dissolves.

Durable and Long-Lasting: Unlike real bait that can be easily picked off by small fish, these baits are very tough. They are often made with a mesh or fiber base that helps them stay on the hook for a long time, allowing you to catch multiple fish on a single piece.

Convenient: They are easy to use, don't require refrigeration, and don't create the mess and smell associated with live or cut bait. They come in strips or other shapes that can be easily cut to size.

Versatile: They come in a variety of formulas and shapes, from strips that imitate shrimp and squid to soft plastic lures. They can be used on their own or paired with natural bait to enhance its appeal. They are effective in both saltwater and freshwater.

"Fast Acting" vs. "Longer Lasting": These baits offer different formulas. The "Fast Acting" baits are designed to release scent more quickly, making them ideal for active fishing, while the "Longer Lasting" baits are better for "soak and wait" scenarios, especially in heavy currents or where small "bait stealers" are present.

Inshore

Soft Plastic Paddle Tails: This is arguably the most versatile and popular inshore lure. Rigged on a jig head, the paddle tail's rhythmic thumping action perfectly imitates a swimming baitfish. Anglers can fish them with a steady retrieve, a stop-and-go motion, or a jigging retrieve, making them effective for a wide range of species, including redfish, snook, and speckled trout.

Topwater Plugs: For thrilling surface strikes, a topwater plug is a must-have. Lures like the Heddon Super Spook are worked in a "walk-the-dog" motion, creating a side-to-side zig-zag that mimics a panicked baitfish. Poppers, with their cupped face, create a splashing commotion that attracts aggressive predators. Topwater lures are especially effective in low-light conditions like dawn and dusk.

Jerkbaits/Twitchbaits: These lures are designed to imitate a wounded or fleeing baitfish. They are worked with a series of twitches and pauses, causing them to dart erratically. Some jerkbaits suspend in the water column on the pause, making them a great choice for targeting fish that are holding at a specific depth. They are a go-to for catching snook, redfish, and trout.

Spoons: A simple but highly effective lure, a metal spoon's wobbling and flashing action is a universal fish attractor. Spoons, especially in gold or silver, can be cast long distances to cover a lot of water and are great for species like redfish, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish that are actively feeding on baitfish.

Artificial Shrimp: Since shrimp are a primary food source for many inshore species, a realistic artificial shrimp is a crucial lure. Lures like the DOA Shrimp are designed to mimic a shrimp's natural gliding and darting motions. They can be worked slowly along the bottom or fished under a popping cork to attract redfish, trout, and flounder.

Offshore

Vertical Jigs (or "Knife Jigs"): These are heavy, elongated metal lures designed for vertical jigging. When dropped deep and retrieved with a fast, erratic motion, they imitate a wounded baitfish fluttering and flashing. They are incredibly effective for a wide range of bottom-dwelling and pelagic species like amberjack, tuna, grouper, and snapper.

Trolling Plugs: Trolling is a primary method for offshore fishing, and plugs are a key part of the arsenal. These lures are designed to be pulled behind a moving boat at various speeds. They come in a variety of styles, from diving plugs that reach specific depths to high-speed lures for targeting wahoo and kingfish. Their vibrating, wobbling action is perfect for attracting fast-moving predators.

Feather and Skirted Trolling Lures: These classic lures are a staple for targeting surface-feeding fish like mahi-mahi and marlin. They feature a weighted head with a skirt made of feathers, Mylar, or other synthetic materials. The skirt creates a lifelike pulsing motion in the water, and they are often rigged in a "spread" behind the boat to cover a large area.

Heavy Metal Spoons: Metal spoons are a versatile and effective choice for offshore fishing. Their heavy design allows for long casts, making them ideal for reaching busting schools of tuna or other pelagic fish. Their fluttering and flashing action on the retrieve perfectly mimics a wounded baitfish, and they are also a great option for jigging vertically.

Casting Poppers: For the adrenaline-pumping experience of a surface strike, a popper is a must-have. These lures have a concave face that creates a loud "chugging" and splashing sound when retrieved, imitating a feeding fish or a panicked prey item. They are excellent for attracting aggressive species like tuna, roosterfish, and jack crevalle to the surface.nfish are small, hardy baitfish with a yellow or olive coloration and distinctive spines on their dorsal fin. Why they work: They are a favored food source for larger predators like grouper, snapper, and larger redfish. Their hardiness allows them to stay alive on a hook for a considerable time.

Surf

Metal Spoons and Jigs: These are a staple for surf anglers because their weight allows for incredible casting distance, which is crucial for reaching fish holding in deeper water beyond the breakers. Spoons like the Kastmaster or Krocodile have a wobbling, flashing action that imitates a fleeing baitfish, while jigs like the Ava and diamond jig are perfect for imitating small, fast-moving prey.

Topwater Plugs (Pencil Poppers and "Walk-the-Dog" Lures): The excitement of a topwater strike is unmatched, and the surf is a prime location for it. Pencil poppers are designed to be retrieved with a specific rod action, causing them to splash and dart across the surface. "Walk-the-Dog" lures like the Heddon Super Spook are worked to create a side-to-side zig-zag motion, mimicking a panicked baitfish. Both are excellent for attracting aggressive species like striped bass, bluefish, and jack crevalle.

Bucktail Jigs: A classic for a reason, bucktail jigs are versatile and effective. Their streamlined design allows for good casting distance, and they can be worked in a variety of ways. Tipped with a soft plastic grub or a strip of natural bait, they can be bounced along the bottom to imitate a crab or a bottom-dwelling baitfish, making them a top choice for flounder and redfish.

Soft Plastic Paddle Tails: When rigged on a heavy jig head, a soft plastic paddle tail can be a deadly lure for surf fishing. The paddle tail's thumping action sends out strong vibrations that attract fish, and the lure's profile mimics a wide range of baitfish. They are highly versatile and can be retrieved steadily, bounced along the bottom, or even fished under a popping cork.

Hard Plastic Jerkbaits: These lures are effective for targeting fish that are feeding in the surf zone. Suspending jerkbaits, such as the MirrOlure MirrOdine, are worked with a twitch-and-pause retrieve, causing them to dart and suspend in the water column. They are perfect for imitating a wounded baitfish and are particularly deadly for speckled trout and redfish. Their aerodynamic design also allows for decent casting distance.ese slender, iridescent baitfish are easily recognizable by the elongated, thread-like ray on their dorsal fin. Why they work: Their lively swimming action and flashing silver bodies are highly attractive to kingfish, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and other fast-moving pelagic species.