Florida fishing reports
268 reports for Florida — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Tarpon Migration Peaks Along FL Gulf Coast with Permit Running Strong
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is "fully underway" along Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast, with captains intercepting fish as they push through and jumping quality tarpon consistently. Afternoons shift to permit, where the charter notes steady sight-fishing on large fish — the tarpon-then-permit two-species day has become a reliable late-spring routine. Kingfish are delivering steady action on plugs and flies, while cobia, amberjacks, and a rotating mix of offshore species are rounding out an unusually dynamic offshore picture. Sport Fishing Mag notes that Gulf oil rigs remain the backbone of offshore fishing across the northern Gulf, with structure-oriented bottomfish coming into their own as summer arrives. No NOAA buoy data was available for this report cycle, so real-time water temperatures are unconfirmed — check local forecasts before launching. The Last Quarter moon this week favors low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk, timing that aligns well with the active tarpon bite.
Trophy Snook Pack Treasure Coast Inlets Ahead of Summer Spawn
Per Snook Nook out of Stuart, trophy-sized snook are staging along the Treasure Coast for their annual spawn, and June is historically the best month to hook a fish over 40 inches. Snook season closed on June 1st and stays shut until September 1st, so all encounters are strictly catch-and-release through the summer. The Indian and St. Lucie Rivers are holding quality fish. Offshore, the South Atlantic red snapper season anglers had anticipated was blocked by a federal court's preliminary injunction issued just hours before Florida's EFP pilot program was set to open, per CCA Florida. A serious setback for Atlantic coast bottom-fishermen who had planned around the newly approved 39-day season. Inshore variety remains strong: Coastal Angler Magazine reports a bonefish landed by kayak in Biscayne Bay and six jack crevalle, the largest at 24 inches, at Vilano Beach. No buoy readings are currently available; check local forecasts before heading out.
Panhandle Rigs Prime for Red Snapper and Amberjack as June Opens
Sport Fishing Mag identifies northern Gulf oil and gas platforms — spanning from Mobile Bay to the Texas Coast — as 'the continent's most diverse and abundant fishing opportunity,' and for Destin and Pensacola anglers, early June is when that promise is most accessible. Red snapper, amberjack, and king mackerel anchor the offshore rig roster this month, with the federal recreational red snapper season typically opening in June and drawing substantial charter and private-boat activity to the rig fields. No real-time buoy readings are available for this reporting cycle. Inshore, speckled trout, redfish, and flounder remain reliable targets on grass flats, passes, and nearshore structure, providing a productive option when afternoon Gulf squalls or building seas close the offshore window. Plan departures for early morning — the Panhandle's summer storm pattern tends to build by midday and can limit the afternoon bite considerably.
Mutton Snapper Spawn Rolls On as Keys Summer Season Peaks
ALL IN Key West describes the mutton snapper spawn bite as firing at an all-time high this season, with captains reporting yellowtail snappers "practically jumping in the boat" during the May full moon cycle. The Gulf side has been equally productive — a recent ALL IN Key West offshore trip yielded grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish in the same outing. Offshore, the 12th Annual Skippers Dolphin Tournament at Key Largo (per Coastal Angler) confirmed a strong mahi-mahi run already underway as of late May. On the flats, Coastal Angler documented a bonefish caught by kayak in two feet of water in Biscayne Bay, signaling active shallow presentations. No NOAA buoy data is currently available for water temperature readings. With the Last Quarter moon now underway and the Keys approaching peak summer season, conditions across reef, offshore, and flats fisheries appear aligned for continued strong action through the coming weeks.
Tampa Bay tarpon schools thicken as June spawn push kicks into gear
Water temps reaching 80–82°F at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 have Tampa Bay and Sarasota inshore waters primed heading into mid-June. The marquee species is tarpon: Capt. Rick Grassett's June forecast at CB's Saltwater Outfitters calls for "strong" fishing as schools increase in size and numbers, with fish pushing offshore near new and full moons to spawn. Beach travel lanes at first light, using live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters, are the prescribed setup. Shark action is running hot alongside: Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters reports Bull Sharks, Blacktips, and Lemon Sharks active through Sarasota Bay, with migratory species mixing in. On the redfish front, Capt. Chuck Cress recently put clients on upper-slot reds working oyster bars in upper Sarasota Bay, with multiple 20- to 25-inch fish releasing well alongside trout. Snook are staging near spawn structure — check current Gulf coast regulations before retaining any, as a June harvest closure typically applies on this coast.
Early-summer bass bite taking shape on Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns
The USGS gauge on the St. Johns (site 02232000) logged 49 cfs early on June 8, a notably low reading pointing to dry-summer conditions that typically concentrate fish along channel edges and deeper holes. No direct charter or tackle-shop reports from Lake Okeechobee or the St. Johns appeared in the available feeds this week, but broad summer bass intelligence is pointing the right direction. Tactical Bassin's June breakdown puts post-spawn largemouth squarely on offshore flats and subtle structure, recommending a wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm as the go-to two-bait punch, a setup that maps cleanly to Lake O's channel ridges and the St. Johns' submerged grass edges. Early morning is the productive window; Florida's midday heat and afternoon thunderstorm cycle will compress the bite to the first few hours of light. Last Quarter moon through mid-week keeps light pressure modest.
Kingfish Run Hot as Snook Stack Up for Spawn on FL's Atlantic Coast
Snook Nook's June 2026 report out of Stuart marks the start of prime trophy snook season on the Treasure Coast, even as the fishery officially closes to harvest on June 1. With fish staging for their annual spawn, Snook Nook notes anglers have a genuine shot at 40-inch-plus breeder fish through the summer on a strict catch-and-release basis. Offshore, Captain Rick Murphy is calling king mackerel action hot, with smoker kings actively biting along Florida's Atlantic-facing waters. The biggest regulatory news belongs to red snapper: CCA Florida reports that a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the state-led Exempted Fishing Permit programs just hours before Florida's planned Atlantic red snapper season was set to open, shelving harvest opportunities for the near term. The last quarter moon this week sets up moderate neap tides, with the tightest feeding windows concentrated around tide changes at inlets and passes.
Tarpon Migration Peaks and Kingfish Run Hot on Florida's Gulf Coast
Tarpon season is in full swing along Florida's Gulf Coast, with Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reporting the migration 'fully underway' and captains intercepting quality fish as they push through the area. Morning sessions are dedicated to tarpon, with steady jumping and hookups on quality fish, before pivoting to afternoon permit sessions targeting large fish on sight. King mackerel are also running strong, with Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider flagging smokers as hot along the Gulf this week. Cobia and amberjacks are mixing in offshore as a bonus, per Naples Offshore Fishing Charters, rounding out a dynamic early-summer spread. No live buoy data is available for precise water temperatures, but early June on the southwest Gulf Coast typically sees warm, clear water that fuels the classic tarpon and permit push. The Last Quarter moon this week can favor low-light windows at dawn and dusk for the best shots at migrating silver kings.
Kingfish Running Hot Off Destin and Pensacola as June Heats Up
King mackerel are the headline species on the Florida Panhandle right now. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) flagged this week that "Kingfish Action is HOT" with Florida's smoker kings actively biting — a signal consistent with the typical early-June offshore push along the Emerald Coast. Offshore, the northern Gulf's oil and gas platforms remain the cornerstone structure for multiple species, with Sport Fishing Mag noting that Gulf rigs from Mobile Bay westward offer some of the continent's most diverse fishing opportunity. No NOAA buoy readings were available at press time, but the Last Quarter moon this week may favor strong dawn and dusk feeding windows. Salt Strong's regional game plans specifically highlighted the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend for the June 5–7 window, reinforcing that this stretch of coast is an active target right now. Anglers should confirm current federal and state regulations before targeting red snapper offshore, as Gulf management rules carry specific bag limits and seasonal windows that change annually.
Keys Mutton Spawn in Full Swing as Summer Offshore Bite Heats Up
ALL IN Key West reports mutton snappers are 'chewing like crazy' as the post-full-moon spawn cycle peaks throughout the Keys. Yellowtail snappers are matching the intensity along reef edges and structure, with both species stacking up reliably on wrecks down to 220 feet. Offshore, a Gulf-side trip by ALL IN Key West logged groupers, cobia, barracuda, and solid kingfish, and Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider Report confirms Florida's smoker kingfish are 'hot' right now on nearshore structure. The 12th Annual Skippers Dolphin Tournament wrapped at Key Largo May 29-31 per Coastal Angler Magazine, a clear sign the mahi-mahi bite is strong enough to anchor a competitive offshore event. Swordfishing also remains active, with South Florida Fishing Channel and BlacktipH both documenting targeted deep-water trips. Live-bait presentations are the consensus play across species, per ALL IN Key West, who note Gulfstream current continues to concentrate fish on the reef. No buoy data is available for this period; check local forecasts before heading out.
Tarpon Schools Build Along the Beach as Tampa Bay Enters Prime June
Water temps of 80-82°F (NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013) have the Tampa Bay and Sarasota inshore and nearshore fishery running full tilt. Capt. Rick Grassett's June 2026 forecast from CB's Saltwater Outfitters calls for strong tarpon fishing as schools swell in size and begin moving offshore to spawn around new and full moons. Set up in travel lanes along the beach at first light with live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters. Capt. Brandon Naeve (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) reports sharks peaking in Sarasota Bay, with Bull Sharks, Blacktips, and Lemon Sharks running through late spring into fall. Inshore, Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) logged multiple upper-slot redfish off oyster bars in upper Sarasota Bay alongside trout and bluefish. Offshore, Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) is flagging king mackerel as red-hot along Florida's Gulf nearshore waters right now.
Lake Okeechobee & St. Johns Bass Make the Post-Spawn Shift
USGS gauge 02232000 logged 180 cfs on the St. Johns as of the evening of June 6, a modest, below-average flow that typically means clearer, slower water along the river's corridor. Water temperature readings were unavailable from the gauge. No direct on-the-water captain or tackle-shop reports surfaced this week specifically for Lake Okeechobee or the St. Johns, so we're grounding this update in seasonal baselines and regional technique intel. Florida largemouth bass are firmly in the post-spawn transition through early June, pushing off spawning flats toward offshore structure, hydrilla edges, and submerged brush piles as surface temps climb into the low-to-mid 80s. Tactical Bassin's June breakdown highlights wobble-head jigs, shaky-head worms, chatterbaits, and dropshot rigs as the dominant post-spawn producers, setups well-suited to Okeechobee's expansive grass flats. Panfish including bluegill and redear sunfish typically stay active through mid-June before heat pushes them deeper.