Tampa Bay's summer redfish thrive in protected areas where bait and cooler waters combine. The shallow flats near Safety Harbor provide perfect feeding grounds during morning hours, while Fort De Soto's mangrove edges offer shade as temperatures rise. Schools of redfish move between oyster bars and deeper holes based on tide and time of day. These copper-colored fighters stay active throughout summer, especially around structure that holds both food and shelter from the heat.

Upper Tampa Bay Hot Spots

The northern parts of Tampa Bay offer excellent summer redfish fishing. Areas around Weedon Island and Safety Harbor hold fish throughout the season, especially during morning and evening tides.

Safety Harbor Spots

• Mangrove points during high tide
• Oyster bars on falling water
• Creek mouths at first light
• Deep holes during midday heat

Central Tampa Bay Areas

The middle section of Tampa Bay provides many redfish spots. The flats near MacDill Air Force Base and the Gandy Bridge area produce consistent catches during summer months.

Gandy Bridge Region

• Bridge shadow lines at dawn
• Grass flat edges with moving water
• Channel markers during tide changes
• Artificial reefs between tides

Lower Tampa Bay Locations

Southern Tampa Bay offers prime redfish habitat around the Skyway Bridge and Fort De Soto areas. These spots work best during strong tidal movements.

Fort De Soto Area

• Mullet Key flats during high tide
• Shell Point grass beds at sunrise
• Bunces Pass edges with current
• Mangrove islands on falling tide

Time-Specific Locations

Morning Spots

• Weedon Island shallow flats
• Apollo Beach oyster bars
• Pinellas Point grass edges
• Bishop Harbor mangroves

Afternoon Locations

• Deep dock shadows
• Channel edges near passes
• Bridge pilings with current
• Artificial reef structures

Weather Impact on Locations

Summer weather patterns affect where redfish gather in Tampa Bay:

• Clear days: Focus on shallow flats
• Cloudy conditions: Fish deeper edges
• After rain: Target creek outflows
• Strong tides: Work pass areas

Ready to catch summer redfish in these Tampa Bay spots? Fishing Guide Tampa Bay's guides know these locations and when they fish best. Contact Fishing Guide Tampa Bay at 813-540-4202 to book a Tampa Bay fishing charter today.

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