Tampa Bay info.

[Bud Man]

TAMPA FISHING .ORG - Tampa is Florida's third most populous city with 300,000 people and over 24 square miles of inland waterways. Tampa lies on Florida's largest inlet, Tampa Bay which separates it from its sister city of St. Petersburg.
The beautiful clear flats of Tampa Bay are studded with abundant mangrove shorelines. The West Coast of Florida has some of the finest Backcountry fishing in the world! Hard fighting game fish occupy the bay - Snook, Tarpon, Pompano, Redfish, Trout, and Permit. The summer months are prime Tarpon fishing in Tampa Bay, as the Tarpon move up the west coast from world famous Boca Grande.


Tampa Bay Facts:

Tampa Bay is the largest open-water estuary in Florida, encompassing nearly 400 square miles and bordering three counties -- Hillsborough, Manatee and Pinellas.


More than 100 tributaries flow into Tampa Bay, including dozens of meandering, brackish-water creeks and four major rivers -- the Hillsborough, Alafia, Manatee and Little Manatee.


More than 200 species of fish are found in Tampa Bay, including snook, redfish and spotted sea trout.


Tampa Bays's Mangrove islands are nesting areas for all sorts of waterbirds - from the white ibis, great blue heronto rare species of migrating birds and waders.


On average, Tampa Bay is only 12 feet deep.


The Port of Tampa is Florida's largest port and consistently ranks among the top 10 ports nationwide in trade activity. It contributes billions annually to the region's economy.

The Sunshine State of Florida is a world class paradise for sports anglers with 12,000 miles of rivers and streams, 1,200 miles of coastline, almost 8,000 lakes and 2,200 marinas. Freshwater fishing in Florida's canals, lakes, ponds and rivers yields a huge variety of sport fish ranging from from largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, gar, to bottom dwelling catfish. Saltwater species include Permit, Grouper and Tarpon.