Florida fishing reports
568 reports for Florida — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Gulf Panhandle Beeliner Bite Picks Up as Calm Returns Midday
NOAA buoy 42012 recorded Gulf waters at 75°F this morning, and the Panhandle's bottom bite appears to be responding. Anglers on the Pensacola Fishing Forum noted a productive run out of Ft. Morgan on May 16, landing 15 beeliners (vermilion snapper) and 2 lane snapper despite moderately choppy seas on the outbound leg. Spadefish were encountered in numbers around offshore structure, while triggerfish were present but mostly undersized. A separate forum post noted conditions "slicked off midday," fitting the classic Gulf Panhandle pattern of rough mornings smoothing into workable afternoons. Both buoys 42039 and 42012 are reporting light winds (3–4 m/s), pointing to manageable seas for the days ahead. Salt Strong included the Florida Panhandle in their May 15–17 regional weekend game plan as a region worth targeting. Today's New Moon should amplify tidal flow, a recognized trigger for deepwater feeders on the reef structure south of Destin and Pensacola.
Snook run peaks near Boca Grande as Sarasota Bay jacks go topwater
Water temperatures of 77–79°F — recorded this morning at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 — have southwest Florida's inshore fishery firing on all cylinders. Capt. Brandon Naeve out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota) set a new boat record on May 9th with a 34-pound, 4-ounce Snook at Boca Grande, a catch that confirms what the shop calls "prime time" for the species as fish push toward passes and beaches ahead of the summer spawn. Capt. Chuck Cress from the same shop reports steady action on upper-slot Redfish (20–25 inches) with Trout also appearing on recent trips. Jack Crevalle are actively schooling in Sarasota Bay near oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets — CB's weekly reports note that early-morning topwater lures and poppers are drawing the most aggressive strikes from these hard-pulling fish. Today's New Moon brings the month's strongest tidal movement through the passes, setting up prime conditions for anglers targeting Snook and Redfish through the weekend.
Mutton Snapper Spawn Firing in the Keys as May Offshore Season Peaks
ALL IN Key West captains report mutton snappers are "chewing like crazy" during the May spawn run, with yellowtail snappers practically jumping into the boat on reef drifts. A Gulf-side trip from the same fleet recently hauled grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish — live bait getting full credit for the action. Winds at Sombrero Key (SMKF1) and Sand Key (SANF1) are running a manageable 11–12 knots this morning with air temperatures near 82°F. The most recent offshore water-temp reading comes from buoy 41114, which showed 78°F in late April; surface temps across the Keys flats and nearshore reef structure have likely climbed into the low 80s by mid-May. On the flats, May is the heart of the tarpon migration through the Keys — a seasonal rhythm no captain's report this week specifically calls out, but one that typically peaks right now. Bottom fishing on deep wrecks and reef structure is the clear standout, with live bait and deep presentations both producing.
Bluegill spawn fires big bass on Okeechobee; tarpon roll the St. Johns
The bluegill spawn is in full swing across Florida's freshwater systems — a trigger Tactical Bassin reports pulls largemouth bass into shallow heavy cover for aggressive topwater feeding. The USGS gauge at site 02232000 on the St. Johns recorded 85.4 cfs on the evening of May 16, indicating stable, moderate-low flow that concentrates fish on structure rather than spreading them across flooded margins. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Fishing Report (S22 E7) calls out "Big Tarpon Action Across Florida," confirming the annual push is well underway on the St. Johns and connected systems. Lake Okeechobee bass, fresh off the spawn, are transitioning into post-spawn summer patterns; Tactical Bassin recommends swimbaits, chatterbaits, and frog presentations as top picks for this window. Florida Sea Grant notes ongoing invasive species pressure in South Florida freshwater canals and Everglades swamps — encounters with oscar and peacock bass are routine for anglers exploring access points near Okeechobee's southern fringe.
Late-Spring Snook Prime Time on the Treasure Coast as Tarpon Flood Florida
Snook Nook's May 2026 report out of Stuart declares this 'historically one of the best months for inshore fishing' on the Treasure Coast, with late-spring snook fishing 'heating up' as fish stage for pre-spawn congregations in the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers — live bait and lures around passes and inlets are the play. Statewide, Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) reports big tarpon action unfolding across Florida, consistent with May's role as the heart of the Atlantic coast migration push. Offshore out of Fort Lauderdale, charter trip reports via Tidal Fish — Florida describe active sailfish and wahoo action on near-shore ledges, though buoy 41009 is logging 3.9-foot seas and winds near 16 knots, which will influence offshore trip planning. On the regulatory front, CCA Florida and Saltwater Sportsman confirm federally approved exempted fishing permits will open an expanded red snapper season in the South Atlantic this summer — a significant development for Atlantic coast anglers who have faced tight federal restrictions in recent years.
Tarpon Migration Peaks Across SW Gulf Coast; Permit and Kings Join the Bite
Water temps holding at 78°F (NOAA buoy 42036) have lit up one of the most productive stretches the Southwest Gulf Coast produces each year. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is "fully underway," with captains spending mornings intercepting and jumping quality fish as they push through the area. Afternoons pivot to sight fishing large permit on the flats — pairing what the captain calls "two spectacular species in one day." Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Fishing Report independently confirms "Big Tarpon Action Across Florida" heading into mid-May. The offshore supporting cast is equally strong: Naples Offshore logs steady kingfish on plugs and flies, plus cobia and amberjacks making for what they describe as "a very dynamic fishery right now." Winds are light at 1–3 m/s across both Gulf buoys, and tonight's new moon sets up powerful tidal swings that push feeding windows hard at first and last light.
Snook hit prime time in Boca Grande and Sarasota Bay
Water temperatures of 77–79°F across Gulf approaches to Tampa Bay and Sarasota — confirmed by NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 — have set the table for one of the year's best inshore runs. Capt. Brandon Naeve out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters logged a new boat-record Snook on May 9: a 34-pound, 4-ounce fish taken on a Boca Grande charter, with CB's calling May "prime time for Snook fishing in Boca Grande" as the species stages toward pass structure pre-spawn. Alongside the Snook push, Capt. Chuck Cress (also CB's) is reporting multiple upper-slot Redfish releases — 20 to 25 inches — alongside solid Trout action on Sarasota-area flats. Jack Crevalle have also joined the party: per CB's Naeve, they're schooling near the surface in Sarasota Bay around oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets, with early-morning topwater producing the best shots. Conditions look strong heading into the heart of the May run.
Florida Keys Mutton Spawn Is On — Yellowtail, Cobia, and Pelagics Bite
Mutton snappers are in full spawn mode across the Florida Keys. ALL IN Key West charter reports the bite at an "all-time high," with muttons "chewing like crazy" and yellowtails nearly jumping into the boat — driven by the full moon now transitioning into the waning crescent phase. A recent Gulf-side run by the same charter produced groupers, snappers, cobia, barracudas, and kingfish in a single trip. Live bait is the hot setup for king mackerel, tuna, and sailfish on the reef edges. Light winds from NOAA buoys SMKF1 (2.1 m/s) and SANF1 (3.1 m/s) signal calm nearshore conditions as of early May 13, and air temperatures near 82°F make for comfortable days offshore. Water temperatures were logged at 78°F by buoy 41114 in late April — and with current light winds and warm air, flats and offshore conditions alike look favorable heading into the coming days.
Post-spawn bass school up as shellcrackers pack Florida's freshwater shallows
Shellcrackers are moving into the shallows and this is one of the best redear bream bites of the year, according to Wired 2 Fish, which reports these thick, meaty fish spawning along warm freshwater flats and presenting easy pickings through May. Simultaneously, Tactical Bassin confirms the bluegill spawn is in full swing — and big largemouth bass are capitalizing, moving into heavy shallow cover and responding aggressively to topwater frogs and surface presentations. On the St. Johns River, USGS gauge 02232000 recorded a slightly negative flow of -46.8 cfs as of late May 12 evening, consistent with the river's characteristic tidal reversal during low-gradient conditions. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge. The waning crescent moon this week should favor daytime feeding windows over nocturnal activity. Post-spawn bass are mid-transition across both the Lake Okeechobee basin and the St. Johns drainage — some fish still shadowing shallow bream beds, others pushing toward adjacent points and open-water forage as early-summer patterns take hold.
Snook Bite Reaches Prime Time Along Florida's Atlantic Coast
Snook Nook's May 2026 report from Stuart declares this historically one of the best inshore months on the Treasure Coast, and the on-water evidence agrees. Per Snook Nook, snook are heating up throughout the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers as fish begin pre-spawn staging, with slot-sized and over-slot fish making regular appearances. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) confirms the spotted seatrout bite is also on fire across Florida. The month's biggest offshore news: per CCA Florida, Coastal Angler Magazine, and Saltwater Sportsman, NOAA has approved Exempted Fishing Permits giving Florida's Atlantic coast a 39-day red snapper season running May 22 through June 20 — the longest since 2010 — plus three-day weekend openers in October, with a one-fish daily bag limit; check current state regulations before harvesting. NOAA buoys 41009 and 41008 recorded moderate winds of 8–10 m/s and air temps in the low-to-mid 70s°F; no water temperature readings were transmitted from either station.
Gulf Permit Running Strong as Spring Offshore Mix Heats Up
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters is reporting spring conditions 'as good as it gets' off Florida's Gulf Coast, with anglers consistently sight-fishing large permit alongside steady king mackerel action on plugs and flies. Water temperatures are holding at 78°F as of May 13 (NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039) — squarely in the productive late-spring zone that draws a dynamic offshore mix including cobia and amberjacks. Inshore, Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) is calling the spotted seatrout bite 'ON across Florida,' a clear signal that trout have fully shifted into their warm-season feeding pattern on Gulf grass flats. Saltwater Sportsman highlights Tampa Bay's quietly growing hogfish fishery, where rod-and-reel techniques on Gulf reef structure are gaining traction among inshore anglers. Light overnight winds are keeping offshore windows open. CCA Florida has flagged a proposed cruise port development near Rattlesnake Key in South Tampa Bay that would impact pristine seagrass beds and shallow-water game fish habitat — worth monitoring for anyone who fishes that area.
Warm Gulf waters fire Panhandle trout; cobia and kingfish season open
NOAA buoy 42039 clocks Gulf water at 79°F on May 12 — well into the sweet spot for the Panhandle's spring pattern. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) confirms the trout bite is 'on across Florida,' and speckled trout on Panhandle grass flats between Pensacola and Destin are likely responding. Wave heights of 3.6 feet at buoy 42039 with light to moderate winds near shore mean nearshore and mid-range offshore runs are feasible, though conditions should be confirmed before heading out. Mid-May is historically peak cobia season along this stretch of coast, with fish moving nearshore on structure and following cownose rays — no source in today's feeds confirms current cobia activity specifically, but the temperature and calendar align squarely with that run. Angler chatter is circulating around yellowfin tuna at offshore rigs, though sea state will be the deciding factor for longer runs. The waning crescent moon supports early-morning low-light windows for inshore action.