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Pro Bowfishing Tampa Bay | G&A Outdoors
- Published Date: August 28, 2025
- Fishing
- Tampa Bay
- $350 - $575 price range
- Updated Date: December 1, 2025
Summary
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Bowfishing in Action
Tampa Bay Bowfishing: Hit Your Mark
Ready to swap your rod for a bow? G&A Outdoors' Tampa Bay Bowfishing Charter puts a whole new spin on reeling 'em in. This isn't your average day on the flats - it's a 4-hour adrenaline rush where your accuracy is the name of the game. Whether you're a seasoned bowfisher or looking to notch up your skills, Captain Mike's got you covered with top-notch gear and the local know-how to put you on the fish.
What's the Deal?
Picture this: You're gliding across Tampa Bay's skinny water, Vader carbon fiber bow in hand, AMS bottle reel locked and loaded. The boat's customized LED lighting rig turns night into day, revealing the shadowy forms of your targets just below the surface. You draw, aim, and let fly - there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-placed shot and the fight that follows. With room for up to 4 shooters, this trip is perfect for small groups looking to test their skills against some of Tampa's most challenging shallow-water species.
Gear Up and Get Shooting
Forget about tangled lines and missed casts. Bowfishing is all about quick reflexes and a steady hand. You'll be using state-of-the-art Vader carbon fiber bows, paired with AMS bottle reels for smooth, rapid-fire action. These rigs are light enough for all-night shooting but tough enough to handle whatever you throw at them. Don't worry if you're new to the game - Captain Mike's got the patience of a saint and the skills to match. He'll have you dialed in and hitting your marks in no time.
Target Species
Black Drum: These bruisers are the heavyweights of Tampa Bay bowfishing. Known for their distinctive "croaking" sound, black drum can grow to over 100 pounds. They're often found rooting around in the shallows, making them prime targets for a well-placed arrow. Spring and fall are your best bets for hooking into one of these monsters.
Striped Mojarra: Don't let their size fool you - these silvery speedsters are a blast to target. Mojarras travel in schools, darting around the flats and providing non-stop action for quick-draw bowfishers. They're abundant year-round, but summer nights are when they really shine under the lights.
Spadefish: With their distinctive vertical stripes and deep, flat bodies, spadefish are unmistakable targets. They're known for their strength and tend to hang around structure, making them a fun challenge for bowfishers looking to test their accuracy. Late spring through summer is prime time for spades.
Southern Stingray: Now we're talking about some serious targets. Southern stingrays can reach wingspans of over 5 feet, offering an impressive silhouette for bowfishers. They're often found cruising the sandy bottoms of the bay, and hooking one is guaranteed to give your arms a workout. They're around all year, but warm summer nights are when they're most active.
Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes, sheepshead are like the convicts of Tampa Bay. These crafty fish are known for their powerful jaws (perfect for crushing crustaceans) and their ability to strip a hook clean. For bowfishers, they present a unique challenge - they're quick, wary, and love to hang around structure. Winter and early spring are your best bets for targeting sheepshead.
Why Bowfishers Keep Coming Back
Let's be real - once you've experienced the rush of bowfishing, it's hard to go back to just casting a line. There's something primal about drawing back that bow, tracking your target, and letting that arrow fly. And when you're doing it under the stars on Tampa Bay? That's a whole other level of cool. Captain Mike's trips often run over the scheduled 4 hours because, well, when the action's hot, why call it quits? It's this dedication to making sure every guest leaves with a grin (and hopefully a cooler full of fish) that keeps bowfishers coming back for more.
Time to Notch Your Arrow
Ready to trade in your fishing rod for a bow? G&A Outdoors' Tampa Bay Bowfishing Charter is your ticket to a night of non-stop action on the flats. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills or try something completely different, this trip delivers. Just remember - deposits are non-refundable, so when you book, be ready to commit to the shot. Don't let this unique opportunity slip through your fingers. Grab your spot on the boat, and get ready to experience Tampa Bay fishing in a whole new light - literally.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
These bruisers are the largest in the drum family, typically 5-30 pounds but can top 90. Look for them around oyster beds and muddy flats in Tampa Bay. They love crustaceans, so fresh crab or shrimp are your best bets. Black drum put up a great fight, especially the big ones, but keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds for eating - the meat gets tough in larger fish. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn. Listen for their distinctive croaking sounds underwater. When you're setting up, scrape some barnacles off pilings to create a chum slick. That'll bring them in quick. Just be ready for a tug-of-war when you hook one. Light tackle makes it sporty, but you might need to beef up your gear for the big boys.
Sheepshead
These striped 'convict fish' are a Tampa Bay favorite, usually 1-8 pounds but can hit 20. You'll find them around any structure - docks, bridges, reefs - munching on barnacles and crabs with those weird human-like teeth. February to April is spawning time when they school up big time. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so use small, strong hooks and set them hard when you feel weight. Fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs are top baits. Try scraping some barnacles off pilings to get them fired up. The fight's decent, but the real draw is their tasty white meat. Cleaning them's a pain with those tough scales, but worth it. Pro tip: fish as close to the structure as you can without snagging - that's where the big ones hide.
Southern Stingray
These flat, kite-shaped rays are common sights gliding across Tampa Bay's sandy bottoms. Females can reach nearly 6 feet wide and 50 pounds, way bigger than the males. They're not aggressive, but watch your step - that barbed tail packs a punch if you spook one. Look for them in shallow, sandy areas or near seagrass beds. They love small fish and crustaceans, so live pinfish make great bait. Stingrays put up a strong, steady fight. It's like reeling in a big, wet blanket. Use heavy braided line and take your time. Here's a pro tip: lead them slowly to shore, don't yank. And whatever you do, don't try to land one by hand. Let it tire out in the shallows first. It's all about the challenge with these prehistoric-looking creatures.
Spadefish
These disk-shaped oddballs are a unique target in Tampa Bay. Averaging 3-10 pounds, spadefish school up near structures like reefs and wrecks. They love clams, so that's your go-to bait on a small circle hook. Look for them around mangroves or hanging near beaches and harbors. Spring and summer are prime times. Spadefish put up a surprisingly good fight for their size, darting and pulling hard. It's a blast on light tackle. Here's a trick: cast past the school and slowly drag your bait through it. They're curious fish and will often investigate. Be patient though - they can be finicky biters. The meat's decent, but most folks are after them for the sport and their unusual looks.
Striped Mojarra
These silvery, rhombus-shaped fish are common catches in Tampa Bay's shallows. Usually 6-16 inches long, mojarra hang out near mangroves and in brackish creeks. They're curious little guys, often nibbling at anything to check it out. That makes them fun to target, especially for new anglers. Use small hooks with bits of shrimp or worms. April to June and September to December are peak seasons. Mojarra school up, so where you find one, there's likely more. They're not known for big fights, but their abundance makes for steady action. Pro tip: try a floating rapala if you're low on live bait. These fish make great bait themselves for bigger predators, so keep a few in the livewell if you're after something larger later.
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