Snook run peaks near Boca Grande as Sarasota Bay jacks go topwater

What's Biting

What's Next

The 77–79°F water temperatures across the Gulf approaches to Tampa Bay and Sarasota — confirmed by NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 — sit squarely in the zone for peak pre-spawn Snook activity. CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota) reports that May is prime time at Boca Grande as large fish stage in the passes ahead of the summer spawning push. The mild air temperatures near 76°F (per buoy 42036) and light winds suggest stable conditions ahead with no significant cold-front disruption on the immediate horizon.

Today's New Moon brings the month's strongest tidal movement, and that energy will remain elevated over the next two to three days. Strong tidal flow through the major passes draws baitfish through predictable choke points — and pre-spawn Snook will stack accordingly. Dawn arrivals on the first incoming or outgoing tide of the day offer the best bite window; the combination of New Moon tidal surge and peak seasonal staging makes this a weekend worth prioritizing.

The Jack Crevalle action Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters has been tracking in Sarasota Bay should remain active through the weekend. Per the shop's weekly reports, these fish are schooling near the surface around oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets, responding best to fast-retrieved topwater poppers and jigs worked at first light. Look for diving birds as a reliable locator when schools are moving. The New Moon's enhanced tidal flush should keep Jacks pinning bait against shallow structure.

For Redfish, Capt. Chuck Cress's consistent upper-slot catches (20–25 inches) at CB's signal healthy flats activity. With water temps holding in the upper 70s, expect fish to remain active on grass edges and near oyster structure during moving tides. Paddle tails or live bait worked tight to the bottom along structure are the straightforward approach.

Anglers looking for a near-shore alternative should note that Saltwater Sportsman highlights a growing hogfish fishery with its epicenter out of Tampa Bay — targeting these fish on hard bottom with live shrimp or fiddler crabs on a calm May morning can add outstanding table fare to an already productive trip.

Context

Mid-May is traditionally the most productive stretch of the year for Snook anglers along Florida's southwest coast, and the current season appears to be unfolding right on schedule. CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota) states directly that May is prime time at Boca Grande, reflecting the well-established seasonal pattern in which Snook migrate from deeper wintering habitat toward passes and beach cuts to stage for the June–July spawning peak. The arrival of large pre-spawn females — exemplified by Capt. Brandon Naeve's 34-pound, 4-ounce boat-record fish on May 9th — is exactly what we'd expect to see in the second week of May, and the size of that fish indicates the quality cohort now moving through the area.

Water temperatures of 77–79°F from NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 are typical for the Tampa Bay and Sarasota region in mid-May. Gulf inshore species become noticeably more active as water climbs into and above the mid-70s through spring, and the current readings suggest the bite is tracking on or near a normal late-spring baseline.

Jack Crevalle are described as active in Sarasota Bay during April and May in CB's weekly reports, confirming the species is running on its expected seasonal schedule — present through the flats and bay interior as they pursue abundant spring baitfish. Their surface-schooling, topwater-responsive behavior is characteristic of this time of year and not an outlier condition.

No year-over-year benchmarks appeared in the available intel to characterize whether the Redfish or Spotted Sea Trout bite is running ahead of or behind a historical May average. The upper-slot Redfish reports from Capt. Chuck Cress are consistent with normal late-spring flats activity but include no comparative note for the 2026 season specifically.

One regulatory note: Snook harvest in portions of the Tampa Bay and Sarasota area is typically subject to seasonal closure in late spring or early summer — check current state regulations before retaining any fish, as closures can vary by zone and year.