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Big Bayou

Franklin County, Florida. Big Bayou ends in Apalachicola, Florida. 3.29 miles long (5.30 kilometers) 1046611.09 miles (1684357.80 sq kilometers)

About The Big Bayou

About Big Bayou, FL

Big Bayou is a bay located 3.4 miles from Saint Petersburg in Pinellas County, FL which opens up into the wider Tampa Bay. The waters are surrounded by residences that take their name from the bay itself. The neighborhood is widely regarded as one of the best places to live in Florida. Two parks have shores directly connecting to the waters of Big Bayou, FL. These are Grandview Park and Coquina Key Park.

Grandview Park features many scenic picnic shelters as well as two boat ramps for anglers bringing their own boats into the bay. Coquina Key Park doesn’t feature boat ramps but does have a manmade section of water that anglers can fish in if they prefer not to boat out into the bay’s waters. There are many fields for sporting activities as well as a picnic shelter. Either make for perfect spots to start a weekend fishing jaunt from.

Big Bayou Fishing Description

All About Fishing in Big Bayou, FL

With the weather generally pleasant the whole year round and the waters of consistently good quality, you will find a lot of different fish species present in the waters of Big Bayou. Because fishing is highly encouraged in the region, anglers of all stripes and of all skill levels will find much to catch whether on a quick trip or a longer expedition. The three most popular fish caught here include the crevalle jack, common snook, and the red drum. 

The openness of the bay to the greater waters of Tampa Bay has also seen many other species caught in Big Bayou. These include fluke, bonnethead and blacktip shark, mangrove snapper, and Spanish mackerel. It’s a healthy mix of species that you’ll normally find in rivers, lakes, reefs, onshore, and even offshore that can likely be pegged down to the open mouth of the bay connecting to the wider Tampa Bay and beyond. There’s certainly something for everyone from game anglers to fly fishers alike.

Big Bayou Seasonal & Other Description

Fishing Seasonality 

Fishing in Big Bayou, FL is a year-long affair with the climate relatively stable throughout and no jarring shifts between the seasons that would cause any shifts in the fish population of the bay. As is with many other fishing spots in Florida, March is a great month to go fishing as this is the local start of spring. Water temperatures will be on the rise so fish are expected to return from the winter migration spots. The overall climate in this period also makes fishing very comfortable for everyone.

April is when migratory patterns are already established so you’re more likely to encounter mangrove snapper, Crevalle jack, blacktip shark, common snook, and the red drum. Casual anglers should be a little wary come June as summer begins because this brings out those interested in game fishing--particularly in the open waters of Tampa Bay. The only month to watch out for is around September when it’s hurricane season in Florida. Apart from the storms that the season brings come rapid shifts in water temperatures that will affect the fish--especially after particularly potent storms sweep through the area.

Temperature and Optimal Seasons

Fishing Seasonality 

Fishing in Big Bayou, FL is a year-long affair with the climate relatively stable throughout and no jarring shifts between the seasons that would cause any shifts in the fish population of the bay. As is with many other fishing spots in Florida, March is a great month to go fishing as this is the local start of spring. Water temperatures will be on the rise so fish are expected to return from the winter migration spots. The overall climate in this period also makes fishing very comfortable for everyone.

April is when migratory patterns are already established so you’re more likely to encounter mangrove snapper, Crevalle jack, blacktip shark, common snook, and the red drum. Casual anglers should be a little wary come June as summer begins because this brings out those interested in game fishing--particularly in the open waters of Tampa Bay. The only month to watch out for is around September when it’s hurricane season in Florida. Apart from the storms that the season brings come rapid shifts in water temperatures that will affect the fish--especially after particularly potent storms sweep through the area.

Big Bayou Fish Species

All About Fishing in Big Bayou, FL

With the weather generally pleasant the whole year round and the waters of consistently good quality, you will find a lot of different fish species present in the waters of Big Bayou. Because fishing is highly encouraged in the region, anglers of all stripes and of all skill levels will find much to catch whether on a quick trip or a longer expedition. The three most popular fish caught here include the crevalle jack, common snook, and the red drum. 

The openness of the bay to the greater waters of Tampa Bay has also seen many other species caught in Big Bayou. These include fluke, bonnethead and blacktip shark, mangrove snapper, and Spanish mackerel. It’s a healthy mix of species that you’ll normally find in rivers, lakes, reefs, onshore, and even offshore that can likely be pegged down to the open mouth of the bay connecting to the wider Tampa Bay and beyond. There’s certainly something for everyone from game anglers to fly fishers alike.