A Hidden Gem Around Tampa Bay
Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge, a secluded island off the coast of Tampa Bay, offers a unique and rewarding fishing experience. This pristine island, teeming with marine life, is a haven for anglers seeking solitude and trophy catches.
- Diverse Ecosystem: The island’s diverse ecosystem, including seagrass flats, mangrove shorelines, and deepwater channels, supports a wide range of fish species.
- Abundant Live Bait: The waters surrounding Egmont Key are teeming with small baitfish, such as pilchards, pinfish, and shrimp, which are perfect for live bait fishing.
- Minimal Crowds: As a protected wildlife refuge, Egmont Key offers a peaceful fishing experience away from the crowds.
Target Species
When fishing at Egmont Key with live bait, you can expect to encounter a variety of species, including:
- Snook: These elusive predators are often found lurking in the shadows of mangrove lines and oyster bars.
- Trout: A versatile species that can be found in various habitats around Bradenton.
- Flounder: These flatfish are masters of camouflage and can be caught on the bottom using live bait.
- Snapper: The Gulf is home to a variety of snapper species like mangrove snapper, and vermilion snapper.
- Sheepshead: A great-eating fish that we find around structure like bridges and pilings.
- Spanish Mackerel: We target schools of Mackerel in fall and winter as they’re chasing bait through the channels.
- Cobia: We target hard-fighting Cobia near structure like buoys, bridges, or wrecks. They’re one of the best fish to eat.
- Grouper: The Gulf has a variety of Grouper species, including gag grouper, black grouper, and red grouper.
- Key West Grunts: A noisy little fish with flakey meat and a mild flavor—great for fish & chips.
- Hogfish: Hogfish are a unique and delicious fish species found in the Gulf of Mexico, including the waters off the coast of Tampa.
Best Seasons to Fish Around Egmont Key
While Egmont Key offers year-round fishing opportunities, the best time to fish is during the spring and fall seasons. During these times, the water temperatures are ideal for many species, and the fish are actively feeding. However, with a bit of patience and the right tactics, you can catch fish at Egmont Key throughout the year.
Fishing Tactics
Live bait fishing is a highly effective technique for catching a variety of fish species at Egmont Key. By using live bait, you can mimic the natural food sources of these fish and increase your chances of a successful fishing trip.
Here are some popular live bait tactics:
- Free-lining: This simple technique involves casting a live baitfish out and letting it drift naturally with the current.
- Float Rigging: This technique involves attaching a float to your line to keep the bait suspended in the water column.
- Bottom Fishing: This technique is effective for targeting bottom-dwelling species.
To access Egmont Key, you’ll need to obtain a permit and arrange transportation by boat. While the journey may require some planning, the rewards of fishing this pristine island are well worth the effort.