Florida fishing reports
568 reports for Florida — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
77°F Gulf Waters Signal Prime May Inshore Action in Tampa Bay
Water temperatures of 77°F off the Gulf Coast (NOAA buoy 42013) signal that Tampa Bay and Sarasota are entering one of the strongest inshore stretches of the year. Capt. Dave Stephens, writing for Coastal Angler Magazine, calls May "probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor" — that enthusiasm runs north through the entire bay system. Snook are staging along mangrove edges and bridge structure; Salt Strong's Florida inshore coverage documents that 40-plus-inch fish are actively hunted when water temps hit this range. Redfish schools are building on the shallow flats, consistent with Salt Strong's underwater footage showing Gulf Coast reds aggregating in large numbers at this time of year. Tarpon are moving through the passes as Gulf temps crack the mid-70s — typical for early May, with peak migration still intensifying. Light winds at 5 m/s (NOAA buoy 42036) this morning are keeping bay conditions clean, and the waning gibbous moon is driving tidal exchange that concentrates bait and predators through the passes.
Keys Water Hits 78°F as Tarpon Season Peaks and Snapper Rules Expand
NOAA buoy 41114 recorded 78°F water and 2.3-foot seas in late April, conditions that signal prime season across the Florida Keys flats and offshore grounds. Tarpon are the headline act — upper-70s surface temps are textbook staging water for migratory silver kings stacking up on Atlantic-side flats this time of year. Salt Strong notes that the hunt for 40-plus-inch snook remains a compelling inshore target for backcountry anglers, a solid secondary option while the tarpon bite builds. Offshore, Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag both report a meaningful regulatory development: expanded red snapper seasons have been approved for Florida's South Atlantic waters under federal exempted fishing permits, adding a strong food-fishing incentive to offshore runs. With the moon in a waning gibbous phase and easing toward new, incoming-tide windows on the flats should produce dependably over the next several days.
Forgotten Coast Trout Running Hot as Gulf Temps Settle at 74–76°F
Water temperatures measured at 74°F (NOAA buoy 42036) and 76°F (NOAA buoy 42039) put the eastern Gulf in ideal shape for May inshore fishing. Sport Fishing Mag's guide to Florida's Forgotten Coast spotlights speckled trout exceeding 20 inches as a consistent catch for anglers throwing artificials along undeveloped marsh shorelines — those conditions align well with the current thermal window. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens singles out May as one of his favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass, where flats species including snook and redfish are highly active on grass and sand edges. Light winds at 5–6 m/s and air temps in the low 70s°F make for comfortable all-day outings. The waning gibbous moon is generating solid tidal movement through the week — an asset for anglers timing their approach around bait flushes. No inshore gauge data was available for this report.
Gulf at 76°F Near Destin-Pensacola as Red Snapper Season Expands for 2026
Water temps across NOAA buoys 42039 and 42012 read 73–76°F as of May 5, placing the Destin-Pensacola corridor squarely in late-spring form. Offshore anglers have clear news to act on: Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag both confirm Florida is participating in federally approved exempted fishing permits that expand the 2026 red snapper recreational season — more open days than Gulf Panhandle anglers have seen in years. Inshore, water this warm in early May is consistent with late cobia runs and an active speckled trout bite across the Panhandle's bays and grass flats. Sport Fishing Mag's Forgotten Coast coverage notes trout over 20 inches are falling to anglers working artificials on nearby Gulf Coast structure — expect similar conditions across Panhandle grass beds. Coastal Angler Magazine flags this transition week as prime time to shift toward late-afternoon and evening trips as daytime heat builds, a tactic equally applicable to Destin and Pensacola bay waters.
Tampa Bay & Sarasota Water Hits 75–77°F: May Flats and Passes Are Prime
Water temperatures of 75°F (NOAA buoy 42036) and 77°F (NOAA buoy 42013) confirm Tampa Bay and Sarasota have entered their prime late-spring window. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens calls May "probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor" — a sentiment that extends to Tampa Bay's grass flats and the passes of Sarasota. Tarpon season is reaching its apex in these Gulf Coast passes, a reliable pattern for water in this temperature range. Snook are staging near inlet mouths in the pre-spawn build-up, while redfish remain active on shallow grass flats. Coastal Angler Magazine also flags the seasonal timing shift now underway: as spring tips toward summer, midday heat suppresses surface activity, and productive sessions are moving toward late-afternoon and evening tidal windows. Anglers who adjust their launch times to match those windows will find the most consistent action this week.
Florida Keys Water at 78°F: Snapper Seasons Expand, Tarpon Migration Peaks
NOAA buoy 41114 logged 78°F water and 2.3-foot seas in the Keys corridor in late April, setting a solid thermal baseline as May opens. Coastal Angler Magazine flags the spring-to-summer transition as prime 'second shift' territory — rising daytime heat is pushing productive windows into late afternoon and evening hours. On the regulatory front, both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that federally approved exempted fishing permits have unlocked a 39-day expanded red snapper season on Florida's Atlantic coast for 2026, significant news for offshore bottom fishermen running the Keys edge. Without direct charter or shop reports in this cycle, species assessments rest on seasonal norms: 78°F water in early May is textbook tarpon-migration territory on the backcountry flats, and bonefish and permit typically run well over turtle grass in these conditions. Offshore, mahi-mahi reliably begin working weed lines at this temperature.
Gulf Coast Waters at 75–76°F as May Flats Fishing Hits Peak Form
Water temps at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 logged 75–76°F as of May 4th evening, with light winds around 4 m/s — comfortable conditions across the Gulf. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens singles out Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass as prime targets right now, calling May "probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor." Sport Fishing Mag confirms speckled trout exceeding 20 inches are a regular catch on the Forgotten Coast for anglers working artificials along marsh edges and undeveloped shoreline. As daytime heat builds toward summer, Coastal Angler Magazine notes that late-afternoon and after-dark trips are outproducing midday outings — worth building into any weekend plan. Tonight's waning gibbous moon extends low-light fishing opportunity into the early morning hours. Tarpon migration is ramping up along the flats, typical for early May, though specific current-week captain reports are limited in our feeds this cycle.
Gulf Warms to 76°F Off Destin — Speckled Trout and Snapper Season in Focus
NOAA buoy 42039 logged 76°F water temps offshore northwest Florida on May 4, with nearshore buoy 42012 reading 73°F — both solidly in the late-spring feeding range that switches Gulf species into high gear. Speckled trout are the standout inshore story: Sport Fishing Mag's feature on Florida's Forgotten Coast reports fish exceeding 20 inches responding to artificials worked along undeveloped Gulf shoreline, a pattern that extends west into Panhandle flats and bay systems. Red snapper is building toward its summer peak — Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag report federally approved exempted fishing permits are expanding Florida's red snapper access this season, though those EFPs address Atlantic waters; Gulf Panhandle anglers should verify current NMFS Gulf rules before heading to structure. As Coastal Angler Magazine observes, the spring-to-summer transition is the moment to shift trips toward late afternoon and into the night, when heat eases and feeding windows widen. Wave heights of 2 ft offshore and 0.7 ft nearshore signal a calm, fishable Gulf right now.
Panhandle Gulf Water at 72–76°F: Cobia Migration and Speckled Trout Active
NOAA buoy 42039 is logging 76°F water and buoy 42012 reads 72°F along the northern Gulf as of May 4 — temperatures squarely in the productive early-May range for Panhandle anglers. Sport Fishing Mag's recent Forgotten Coast coverage highlights speckled trout exceeding 20 inches on artificials worked across the region's marshes and grass flats, a pattern that tracks well for the bay systems around Destin and Pensacola. Cobia are typical at this water temperature as they push through Panhandle nearshore waters during their spring migration window. Both buoys record light winds near 8–10 knots, pointing to favorable surface conditions for offshore runs this week. The waning gibbous moon delivers a moderate tidal push through mid-week — useful for concentrating bait on current-swept edges. Check state regulations before targeting red snapper, as Gulf season dates vary annually.
Snook and Tarpon Heating Up as Tampa Bay Water Reaches 74–77°F
Water temps of 74°F at NOAA buoy 42036 and 77°F at NOAA buoy 42013 confirm Tampa Bay and Sarasota are squarely in prime inshore season. Capt. Dave Stephens, writing for Coastal Angler Magazine, puts it plainly: 'May is probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor' — and current conditions back that call. Snook are staging near tidal passes and mangrove edges ahead of their summer spawn, while tarpon are showing in increasing numbers as water temps climb into their preferred range. Redfish are cruising shell bars and grass flat edges; spotted seatrout are active on the flats. Salt Strong highlights how aggressive snook turn when water temps hit this range — that window is open now. Offshore buoys are logging 15–21 knots, keeping the open Gulf choppy; anglers working the protected bay and flat systems will find the most consistent action this week.
Keys Flats Hit 78°F: Tarpon Migration Peaking, Mahi Active Offshore
NOAA buoy 41114 logged 78°F water temperatures in Keys-adjacent waters on April 26, placing the Florida Keys squarely in its prime late-spring fishing window. For flats anglers, that reading signals tarpon migration is well underway—large migratory fish typically stage under bridges and move through nearshore channels throughout May, making this the Keys' signature season. Permit are beginning to push onto turtle grass flats as warm water stabilizes, and resident bonefish remain reliably active in the shallows. Offshore, the spring mahi-mahi run is characteristic of this period, with weed lines along the Florida Straits holding active fish. Saltwater Sportsman highlights pitch-baiting as a proven technique for gamefish attracted to trolling spreads—a method that translates directly to mahi and opportunistic sailfish encountered while running south of the reef. No local captain or tackle shop intelligence appeared in this cycle's feed; species outlook is informed by buoy data and typical early-May Keys seasonal patterns.
St. Johns at 135 cfs as Post-Spawn Bass Transition Hits Okeechobee
USGS gauge 02232000 recorded the St. Johns River running at 135 cfs in the pre-dawn hours of May 4 — a modest, stable flow typical of the late dry-season transition in Central Florida. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge. This week's angler-intel feeds carried no direct reports from Lake Okeechobee or the St. Johns corridor; the closest Florida signal came from MidCurrent, which flagged a recent settlement over a proposed rock mine in the Everglades Agricultural Area — a development worth watching for guides and anglers operating in the broader Okeechobee watershed. Without charter or shop intel to draw from, conditions here are assessed against seasonal norms: largemouth bass are in the post-spawn recovery window, retreating from shallow beds to grass edges and deeper structure. The waning gibbous moon — just past full — suggests the recent shellcracker and bluegill bedding surge may be cresting; beds often stay productive for another week after the lunar peak.