Know your target
Pigfish (grunts) fishing around Tampa Bay
Small grunts gather over grass, shell and sandy edges, often beneath a pier. A little shrimp on a small hook is more useful than a large bait.
Also known as: Pigfish, Grunt
Harvest status today: See FWC (as of Oct 26, 2026)
Season: Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.comSlot: Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.comBag: Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.com
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FWC regulations (Tampa Bay region)
| Season | Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.com |
|---|---|
| Slot/size limit | Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.com |
| Bag limit | Not listed on FWC page — check myfwc.com |
| Special rules | White grunt is named as an example with a 100-pound default limit; pigfish is not named. Do not treat the white-grunt example as a verified pigfish rule. |
Source: FWC: Unregulated · Checked 2026-10-26
“Checked” is the dataset reference date.
Regulations change; always confirm with FWC.
A year on the water
When they're biting
Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.
JanFair
FebFair
MarGood
AprGood
MayPeak
JunPeak
JulPeak
AugPeak
SepPeak
OctGoodThis month
NovGood
DecFair
Swipe or scroll the table to see all months. General guidance: 0 = Rare, 1 = Fair, 2 = Good, 3 = Peak. Current month: Oct. Harvest status as of 2026-10-26 (America/New_York), at build time.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | OctThis month | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pigfish (grunts) | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair |
- winter
- Try tiny shrimp pieces near sheltered pier edges during warmer afternoons.
- spring
- As flats warm, fish a grass edge from an accessible pier without dragging seagrass.
- summer
- Small shrimp or squid pieces can find grunts around shell and sand beside grass.
- fall
- Try the same bottom edges while the water stays warm; identify pigfish separately from other grunts.
Top baits
Bait guide: hook placement, rigs and local seasonal tips →
Best months and baits are general guidance, not official.
From the tackle bag
How to catch
General guidance; adapt tackle to conditions and follow current rules.
- Hook
- #6–#2 small single hook
- Leader
- 10–15 lb leader
- Weight
- 1/4–1 oz
- Rig
- Light single-hook dropper or split-shot rig
- Technique
- Fish small shrimp pieces close to grass or shell without dragging through seagrass.
- Best tide
- Moving water near a sand or structure edge; ease back when current makes bait control difficult.
- Time of day
- Dawn or late afternoon within posted access hours
Find your shoreline
Where to go
Habitat suggestions, subject to access. Check each spot's status before going.
- Fort De Soto Bay Pier Work nearby sand, grass or shoreline edges within permitted fishing areas. Call ahead
Hours not listed — call during business hours
- Weedon Island Preserve Fishing Pier Work nearby sand, grass or shoreline edges within permitted fishing areas. Open
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