New to the area (Tampa Bay) and am looking to hike a vast area with the ability to camp overnight. Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, and welcome! When you say "vast area," I can think of several great places near you:

1) Florida Trail through Green Swamp / Richloam, about a 3 day linear hike
2) Citrus Hiking Trail, 43 mile outer loop, in the Citrus Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest
3) Myakka Hiking Trail, 39 mile outer loop, Myakka River State Park
4) Croom Hiking Trail, 20 mile loop, Croom Tract Withlacoochee State Forest
5) Richloam Loop

All have shorter options available and all are within vast tracts of public land. My favorite of the group is the Citrus Tract, it's hilly, high and dry, and has interesting caves and sinkholes along the route. It's described in detail (with map) in my "50 Hikes in Central Florida" and there are also details about it in this website.

Have fun out there!

Have fun out there!