Florida fishing reports
580 reports for Florida — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Keys Mutton Spawn Peaks as Full Moon Drives Red-Hot Snapper Bite
ALL IN Key West captain reports summer snapper fishing is "as good as I've seen in my 16 years here in Key West," with mutton snappers and yellowtails firing on all cylinders through May and June. Today's Full Moon lands squarely on the peak mutton spawn window, when fish stage on reef ledges and offshore humps in concentrations that are difficult to match at any other time of year. Per ALL IN Key West, yellowtails are "practically jumping in the boat," and Gulf-side trips have been producing grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish alongside the snappers. Live bait is the dominant technique across species, with captains finding consistent success on reef edges and Gulf structure alike. Offshore, mahi-mahi round out the summer picture as blue water pushes close to the reef line. With July on the doorstep and no sign of the bite slowing, the Florida Keys are delivering one of their strongest early-summer performances in recent memory. Confirm current FWC regulations before harvesting any species.
Tarpon Migration at Full Stride; Permit and Cobia Fill the Gulf Coast Bite
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway, with captains intercepting quality fish on morning runs before switching to sight-fishing large permit in the afternoons. Cobia, amberjacks, and kingfish are also showing in the offshore mix per the same captains, making this one of the more dynamic multi-species stretches the Gulf Coast sees all year. Inshore, Coastal Angler Magazine highlights black drum catches from North Fort Myers and redfish out of Pine Island Sound. Salt Strong notes that summer high tides push redfish tight into shoreline cover, with fish abandoning open flats for mangrove edges and grass lines when water is up. With a full moon tonight driving strong tidal swings through the next several days, anglers who can time their launches around peak current windows are set up well. Kingfish on plugs and flies rounds out an active bite for those who prefer casting over anchoring on bottom.
Snook Schools Pack Stuart Inlet as Dredge Pause Brings Fish Back
Large schools of snook have returned to the St. Lucie Inlet near Stuart following a pause in dredging operations, per Snook Nook's July 2026 report. Anglers with side-scan sonar are marking large concentrations around the detached jetty and the Hole in the Wall, with live baits — Croakers, Pilchards, and similar presentations — the clear choice for getting bites. Note that the Atlantic snook season is closed through August 31; all fish must be released. Offshore, CCA Florida reports a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking Florida's South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) program, halting the state-managed recreational season before it could open — anglers targeting snapper should confirm current FWC guidance before heading out. Tarpon and redfish remain typical summer staples along this stretch of coast, though no specific local source reported on their activity this week. The full moon is producing strong tidal movement through inlets and passes, a timing window worth planning your trip around.
Sarasota Bay Seatrout in Peak Summer Form as Tarpon Stay Aggressive
Spotted seatrout are delivering peak summer action across Sarasota Bay, with Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters reporting fish hitting aggressively on inshore grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and local passes. Capt. Rick Grassett's July forecast from CB's confirms tarpon remain a strong target entering the month, with July fish typically running more committed than earlier-season schools; spin anglers are working travel lanes at first light with live baits under floats. Shark action is at seasonal highs as well: Naeve reports Bull Sharks, Blacktips, and Lemon Sharks regularly showing in Sarasota Bay and nearshore Gulf waters. Redfish also made an appearance, with Capt. Chuck Cress of CB's reporting a red caught and released at an upper Sarasota Bay oyster bar alongside bluefish and mullet. No live buoy or gauge readings are available this cycle. The full moon on June 30 will drive strong tidal swings through the passes in the days ahead.
Okeechobee & St. Johns Bass Settle Into Summer Depth Patterns
Tactical Bassin's summer bass guide flags the same setup Florida freshwater anglers see every late June: largemouth have transitioned off post-spawn shallows and are running tight to oxygen-rich cover, grass mat edges, and deeper structure through the heat of the day. No sensor readings were available for Lake Okeechobee or the St. Johns River this reporting cycle, so conditions are read through the seasonal calendar and regional angler media. Wired 2 Fish's July lure roundup backs up the picture — topwaters and reaction baits for the early-morning window before the sun climbs, shifting to finesse presentations when midday heat locks fish down. Tonight's Full Moon may compress feeding activity into dawn and dusk windows. Crappie typically go quiet in the June heat on Okeechobee, while catfish remain a reliable after-dark option on both waters. Check local forecasts before heading out; no gauge or buoy data was available for this cycle.
Key West mutton snapper spawn peaks as June full moon arrives
ALL IN Key West reports that summer 2026 snapper fishing is as good as the captain has seen in 16 years on the water here. With today's full moon landing squarely in the heart of the mutton snapper spawn window, the timing is exceptional: 'Mutton snappers are chewing like crazy,' the captain noted, with yellowtail snappers described as practically jumping in the boat. The Gulf of America side is equally productive — groupers, snappers, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish all showed on a recent offshore trip. Live bait is proving deadly on the reef edges, where strong Gulfstream currents are running close to the Keys; plan to use heavier lead than usual to hold bottom. Per ALL IN Key West, May through July is the 'lights out' window for Keys offshore variety, and the bite right now is living up to that reputation.
Tarpon and Permit Peak Across Gulf Coast as Full Moon Arrives
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway along Southwest Florida, with captains intercepting quality fish on morning tidal runs before pivoting to afternoon permit sessions on the flats. The combination is delivering some of the year's most dynamic fishing, per Naples Offshore, which has also noted steady kingfish action offshore on plugs and flies. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens, reporting from Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor, calls summertime on the Gulf Coast an absolutely great time to fish, with multiple species in play. Salt Strong's Florida Gulf Coast weekend game plan for late June highlights summer redfish pushing deep into mangrove and shoreline cover at high tide. The full moon this week will drive amplified tidal swings, concentrating bait on current seams and creating prime feeding windows for the area's marquee species.
Summer Gulf Bite Peaks Along the Panhandle: Snapper, Kings, and Amberjack on Tap
Anglers on the Pensacola Fishing Forum are actively working offshore ledges around Destin and Pensacola, chasing American red snapper, kingfish, beeliners, triggerfish, amberjack, and grouper — the full summer Gulf species mix is in rotation. No live buoy or gauge data is available for this report cycle, so conditions reflect seasonal patterns and forum intel rather than real-time sensor readings. Late June is historically the heart of summer fishing in the Panhandle, with the Federal Gulf red snapper season underway and nearshore structure holding a solid variety of bottom fish. Salt Strong's June 26–28 game plan specifically flagged the Florida Panhandle as an active region for the weekend, though detailed results are behind their INSIDER paywall. The Full Moon on June 30 will drive strong tidal exchanges through the July 4th holiday weekend, typically opening productive feeding windows on structure. Inshore, summer redfish pushed onto flooded shoreline cover during high-tide peaks round out the local target list.
Trophy Snook Peak for the Spawn as Red Snapper Season Stalls in Court
Per Snook Nook out of Stuart, June delivers some of the best trophy snook fishing of the year on Florida's Treasure Coast, with big fish staging near inlets and beaches in preparation for their annual spawn. The shop notes this is a prime window for 40"+ fish, though the snook season on Florida's Atlantic coast typically closes in early June and reopens in September, making these fish catch-and-release only right now. Verify current state regulations before keeping anything. The bigger news this week comes from CCA Florida: a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking Florida's South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permit pilot program. The ruling arrived just hours before the planned season opener, shutting down what would have been a 39-day recreational fishery. Inshore, Salt Strong's Florida Atlantic Coast weekend game plan highlights summer redfish pushed into shoreline cover during high tides, with cobia showing up as a bonus catch. Full Moon tides this weekend will drive stronger tidal swings, so time your presentations to the moving water.
Tarpon Run Strong as Tampa Bay & Sarasota Enter Peak Summer Season
Capt. Rick Grassett of CB's Saltwater Outfitters notes that July tarpon typically become more aggressive than their spring counterparts, with schools pushing through travel lanes along the Gulf beaches at first light. Spin anglers are finding success drifting live baits under floats along these lanes, while fly anglers stake out bar edges for shot opportunities. With today's full moon, expect the tail end of a strong offshore spawning push — Capt. Grassett notes fish often head out to sea near lunar peaks before returning. Meanwhile, Capt. Brandon Naeve (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) reports shark action remains brisk in Sarasota Bay, with Bull Sharks, Blacktips, and Lemon Sharks all showing well from late spring through fall. Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) also put a client on a redfish at an upper Sarasota Bay oyster bar last week, with mullet and baitfish stacking around the structure. Catch-and-release is the name of the game for most species right now; check Florida state regulations for current harvest closures before keeping any fish.
Summer bass lock to vegetation edges on Okeechobee and St. Johns under full moon
The St. Johns River at Deland is flowing at a stable 148 cfs (USGS gauge 02232000) as of June 29, a moderate reading for late-June conditions on this slow-moving blackwater system. No surface temperature data is available from the gauge this cycle, but late-June Florida heat typically drives water temps well into the 80s°F, pushing largemouth bass toward hydrilla mats, lily pad edges, and shaded structure during daylight hours. The June 30 full moon creates a compelling window for night fishing on both Okeechobee and the St. Johns, where bass often feed aggressively after dark in summer. Wired 2 Fish notes that July bass across the South are split between fish holding over deep shad schools and others "still shallow chasing bream" — both patterns apply on these systems. Tactical Bassin confirms that July metabolism is "at an all time high," making early-morning and after-dark sessions the most productive windows. Black crappie (speckled perch) typically retreat to deeper, cooler water this time of year.
Full Moon Mutton Spawn Fires Up Florida Keys Snapper Season
ALL IN Key West captain describes the current stretch as one of the best in 16 years on the water, with mutton snappers stacking in full-moon spawning aggregations and yellowtail snappers practically jumping in the boat. Per ALL IN Key West, fish are actively feeding in large numbers across the reef, and Gulf-side runs are producing grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish. Strong Gulfstream currents are keeping sailfish close to Key West, and live-bait presentations have been red-hot for kings, tuna, and sails along reef edges. With the full moon peaking today, the mutton spawn is at its prime window. Bottom fishermen should work structure in 30 to 60 feet to intercept pre-spawn aggregations before they break up over the next 48 to 72 hours. The charter also notes heavy lead is required to hold bottom in the strong currents running through the Keys.