Nearshore-Inshore Fishing
To fish “Inshore” means fishing within bays, rivers and creeks that eventually lead to the open water of a gulf or ocean.
The state of Florida is bordered on the West by the Gulf of Mexico and by the Atlantic Ocean on the East side. The Atlantic Ocean is fed by numerous rivers and estuaries. Fishing within these rivers and esteuaries would be considered fishing inshore. Some of the same species caught inshore of these rivers and estuaries can also be caught nearshore in the Atlantic Ocean. The Tampa Bay area is the largest estuary in Florida.
The Gulf of Mexico is fed by rivers which flow into open bays which then flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing in the bays and rivers would be considered inshore fishing.
Nearshore fishing would be fishing within the Gulf of Mexico, usually within sight of land. Most of the same species are caught nearshore as well as inshore.
The most common species of fish found in the bays and nearshore/inshore waters are Speckled Sea Trout, Redfish and Snook. Other great fighters are Spanish Mackeral, Jack Cravelle, Ladyfish, small sharks, and Tarpon.,
The time of year, weather conditions, tides, moon phases, etc., will determine what fish are, or are not biting best.
Some species prefer warmer weather. Yes, Florida does have seasons! Fall and Winter are also great seasons to be on the water. Long cold spells will affect the fishing and send some of the fish to parts unknown! Other species just become lethargic and won’t eat at all.
You may like to target one species and that’s fine, but I like to leave things open because some days the fish you are targeting may not cooperate, but another species might. Therefore, don’t limit yourself to a particular species