Florida fishing reports
584 reports for Florida — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Big Snook and Growing Tarpon Schools Signal Tampa Bay's Prime Window
Water temps of 81-82°F at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 signal peak conditions across the Tampa Bay and Sarasota inshore fishery. Capt. Rick Grassett, forecasting for June at CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota), calls this the strongest stretch of the year for tarpon, with schools growing in size and number along the gulf beaches. The snook bite has already delivered a standout result: Capt. Brandon Naeve at CB's Saltwater Outfitters reports a 34-pound, 4-ounce snook landed at Boca Grande on May 9th, a new boat record, confirming that late May is prime time for big fish in the passes. Capt. Chuck Cress adds redfish up to 25 inches alongside trout in his recent Sarasota Bay report. Jack crevalle are schooling near the surface in the bay, per Capt. Naeve, with fast-stripped topwater lures producing well around oyster bars and inlets. Nearshore swells of 4.3 feet at buoy 42036 favor inshore sessions over open-gulf runs.
Mutton Snapper Spawn Peaks as Full Moon Closes In on the Keys
ALL IN Key West reports the mutton snapper spawn is firing with the full moon approaching, calling conditions "chewing like crazy" across Key West reef and wreck grounds — including a productive deep-wreck session in 220-foot water that produced five quality fish. Yellowtail snappers are nearly as prolific, with the same captains describing fish "practically jumping in the boat." A recent Gulf-side run from ALL IN Key West turned up hauls of grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish, confirming the broad offshore bite. Sport Fishing Mag notes blackfin tuna are flooding offshore waters from the Keys northward through Palm Beach in their typical May arrival, a run that holds through July. NOAA buoys SMKF1 and SANF1 recorded sustained winds near 19–22 mph with air temperatures in the low 80s on May 26, pointing to some sea chop for longer offshore runs. On the flats, late May historically puts tarpon and permit at peak season, and conditions this week appear right on schedule.
Post-spawn largemouth scatter across Lake O and the St. Johns
The St. Johns River is running at 118 cfs at USGS gauge 02232000 as of May 26, a moderate, stable flow consistent with the pre-rainy-season low-water window typical of late May. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but surface temps across both the St. Johns and Lake Okeechobee typically reach the upper 70s to low 80s°F this time of year. Largemouth bass are firmly in post-spawn territory on both systems. Wired 2 Fish describes the phase as a split: some fish are aggressively feeding along bream beds and shad schools, while others hold shallow and spooky, demanding finesse presentations over heavier cover. The waxing gibbous moon should keep dawn and dusk feeding windows active heading into the Memorial Day weekend. Bluegill and shellcracker beds are winding down from their May peak but remain catchable on shallow hard-bottom pockets through the current moon cycle. No direct charter or shop reports for Lake Okeechobee or the St. Johns were available in this week's intel feeds.
Blackfin Tuna Run Strong as Snook Hit Pre-Spawn Peak
Snook Nook out of Stuart reports late-spring snook fishing is "heating up" as fish begin pre-spawn staging along the Treasure Coast — May is one of the best inshore months on the Indian River and St. Lucie River systems, with quality slot and over-slot fish appearing with increasing regularity. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag confirms blackfin tuna are flooding Atlantic waters from the Keys north to Palm Beach, making May through July prime season for these hard-fighting fish on live bait, dead bait, and lures. Saltwater Sportsman highlights wahoo opportunities out of Boynton Beach, with Capt. Chris Lemieux noting that full-moon phases drive bigger fish to the surface. One significant development: Coastal Angler Magazine and CCA Florida both report a federal court issued an injunction halting Florida's anticipated 39-day Atlantic red snapper season just one day before its Memorial Day launch, blocking the state-led EFP pilot programs. Anglers planning to target red snapper should verify current regulatory status before heading out.
Tarpon Migration Peaks as Permit and Kings Fill Gulf Spreads
Gulf water temperatures reached 80°F at NOAA buoy 42036 this morning, and Naples Offshore Fishing Charters confirms the on-water picture matches: the tarpon migration is fully underway, with captains intercepting fish as they push through the Naples area and reporting quality jumps throughout the week. After morning tarpon sessions, the fleet pivots to permit, with Naples Offshore describing consistent sight fishing on large fish. Kingfish have been steady on plugs and flies, while cobia and amberjacks are rounding out offshore spreads as bonus encounters. Sport Fishing Mag notes May through July is peak season for blackfin tuna to flood South Florida offshore waters, making them a legitimate offshore target. Coastal Angler Magazine flagged that grouper season reopened in the Keys on May 1st, drawing anglers back to reefs and wrecks for black, red, and gag grouper. With warm water locked in and multiple target species stacked on the same grounds, late May on the Gulf Coast is delivering one of the year's most diverse fishing windows.
Tarpon Migration Peaks on SW Gulf Coast as Permit and Kings Deliver
Water temperatures holding at 81°F (NOAA buoy 42036) have locked the southwest Gulf Coast into one of the season's premier fishing windows. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway, with captains intercepting fish as they push through the area: mornings are dedicated to jumping and landing quality tarpon, while afternoons pivot to steady permit sight-fishing on large fish. The variety extends offshore, too. Naples captains are also posting consistent kingfish action on plugs and flies, along with cobia, amberjacks, and a rotating cast of additional species. Wave heights of 3.6 to 4.3 feet (NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039) and light-to-moderate winds point to manageable offshore conditions. The waxing gibbous moon adds productive evening feeding windows worth building a schedule around. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters sums up the current scene as 'as good as it gets for this time of year.'
Snook hitting prime season around Boca Grande and Sarasota Bay
Water temps measuring 80–81°F across the Gulf off Tampa Bay and Sarasota — per NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 — and inshore species are responding strongly. CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota) is reporting standout Snook action: Capt. Brandon Naeve boated a new boat-record 34-pound, 4-ounce Snook out of Boca Grande on May 9th, and the shop notes that May is prime time as fish begin staging for their pre-spawn push. Jack Crevalle are equally fired up in Sarasota Bay, with CB's describing fly fishing as "starting to cook" on surface-feeding schools working oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets — early morning topwater poppers are the move. Capt. Chuck Cress (also CB's) adds that upper-slot Redfish and Trout are cooperating inshore, with multiple fish caught and released. First Quarter moon this week is generating moderate tidal movement favorable for ambush predators along current-swept structure. This stretch ranks among the best inshore windows of the year for the Tampa Bay–Sarasota corridor.
St. Johns & Okeechobee Bass in Post-Spawn Mode as Late May Heats Up
The St. Johns River near DeLand is measuring just 25.1 cfs (USGS gauge 02232000) as of early this morning, signaling continued dry-season low flow across the region. Water temperature data is unavailable from this gauge cycle. Direct on-the-water reports from Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns corridor are limited this week. Florida intel from Tidal Fish Florida centers on Fort Lauderdale's offshore sailfish and wahoo bite, and Florida Sea Grant coverage this week focused on invasive species programs rather than freshwater conditions. Bass are deep into the post-spawn transition, with fish pushing off spawning flats toward deeper grass edges and shaded structure as late-May surface temps rise. Wired 2 Fish this week featured pro angler Justin Lucas on shallow topwater presentations at dawn over grass, reeds, and docks, a tactic directly applicable to both Okeechobee and the St. Johns chain. Detailed freshwater reports specific to this corridor were not available from our sources this cycle.
Snook surge and blackfin tuna run on Florida's Atlantic Coast
Snook Nook's May report from Stuart declares late spring 'one of the best times of the year for snook fishing' on the Treasure Coast, with fish actively feeding in the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers as they stage for their seasonal run. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag reports blackfin tuna flooding South Florida's Atlantic waters from the Keys to Palm Beach through July, a multi-method bite available to anglers trolling, drifting, kite-fishing, or working wrecks with live bait. Grouper season reopened May 1, per Coastal Angler Magazine, putting black, red, and gag grouper back in play on nearshore reefs and wrecks. The highly anticipated South Atlantic red snapper season hit a snag: a federal court injunction blocked the state-run pilot program one day before launch, per CCA Florida and Coastal Angler Magazine. Anglers should verify current state regulations before targeting snapper offshore. No offshore water temperature data was available from buoys today.
Panhandle Red Snapper Running as Gulf Season Gets Underway
Water temps registering at 78°F (NOAA buoy 42012) and the Gulf red snapper season opener have Panhandle anglers moving offshore in force. The Pensacola Fishing Forum reported limits of snapper on opening Friday from reliable bottom spots in roughly 150 feet — blue water had pushed in along the trolling grounds, but scattered grass made bottom fishing more productive than targeting pelagics. A separate Sunday run out of Perdido Pass hit rough, washing-machine seas that pushed one crew east toward shallower 50-foot structure before they fought through to a 150-foot public spot for keeper fish; shorter drops at 50 feet produced only shorts on every drop. Salt Strong's May 22–24 weekend game plan flagged the Florida Panhandle as an active fishing region, consistent with those on-the-water reports. Wind readings from NOAA buoy 42039 show light air around 8 mph with warm air temps near 81°F. King mackerel and cobia are seasonally on track for late May in these waters, though no direct reports on either species surfaced this period.
Snook Reach Peak Season as Jacks School Through Sarasota Bay
Water temperatures of 81-82°F measured by NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 are setting the stage for one of Tampa Bay and Sarasota's best inshore windows of the year. Capt. Brandon Naeve's crew at CB's Saltwater Outfitters set a new boat record on May 9 with a 34-lb 4-oz snook at Boca Grande, solid proof that the pre-spawn push has arrived in force. CB's weekly report notes May is prime time as snook migrate toward passes and stack up on structure. Jack crevalle are schooling in Sarasota Bay right now, per CB's, targeting baitfish near oyster bars, seawalls, and inlets; early morning topwater on poppers is the top technique. Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's) is also reporting consistent upper-slot redfish on the flats, with trout rounding out the mixed-bag action. With a First Quarter moon this weekend providing moderate tidal push, expect feeding windows to concentrate around dawn and the incoming tide.
Keys Mutton Spawn Peaks, Blackfin Tuna and Grouper in Full Swing
ALL IN Key West charter reports mutton snappers are "chewing like crazy" around the May full moon cycle, with yellowtail snapper nearly jumping in the boat; the snapper bite is set to re-peak as the next full moon approaches in early June. Grouper season reopened May 1, per Coastal Angler Magazine, drawing anglers back to local reefs and wrecks for black, red, and gag grouper. Sport Fishing Mag flags May through July as prime blackfin tuna season in South Florida, with the fish flooding offshore waters from the Keys northward and available on live bait, dead bait, lures, or kite fishing. NOAA buoys SMKF1 and SANF1 are recording winds around 19-22 mph and air temps near 83°F. The only current water-temp reading is 78°F from buoy 41114 (dated late April); surface temps are likely near or above 80°F by late May. Target deep wrecks and reef edges for snappers and watch current lines for tuna.