Florida Fishing Reports

Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports spring conditions have settled in beautifully, calling this bite "as good as it gets for this time of year." Captains out of Naples are consistently sight-fishing large Permit offshore while racking up steady kingfish on plugs and flies — two marquee species firing simultaneously. Cobia and amberjacks have rounded out the spread, making for what the same charter describes as "a very dynamic fishery." NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 clocked light winds of 3 and 6 m/s respectively with air temperatures near 75–77°F as of 5:00 AM May 7; no water-temperature readings were available from either station. The waning gibbous moon is generating strong tidal movement that should activate pelagic feeding windows around tidal peaks. Inshore, the seasonal shift from wintertime shrimp presentations to live pilchards is underway, per Naples Offshore Fishing Charters, opening the door to additional nearshore opportunities.

May 7

Coastal Angler Magazine reports Fort Pierce is "full of quality trout right now," with anglers landing solid 20-inch spotted sea trout across the Indian River Lagoon system. Offshore, Fort Lauderdale charter captains posting on Tidal Fish — Florida describe consistent sailfish action along reef lines in 130–160 feet of water, with a wahoo also hitting on a recent morning run. Meanwhile, federal exempted fishing permits have unlocked dramatically expanded red snapper seasons across the South Atlantic for summer 2026 — including Florida's Atlantic coast — per Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag. In Mosquito Lagoon, Coastal Angler Magazine documents a 31-inch redfish taken by canoe, confirming that slot reds are active in the backcountry shallows. NOAA buoys 41009 and 41008 recorded winds of 3–7 m/s and air temps in the 74–80°F range, with no wave height data available to assess offshore sea state.

May 6

Water temperatures across the Florida Gulf Coast are firmly in late-spring form, with NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 reading 76°F and 78°F respectively on May 6 — ideal conditions for inshore and nearshore action. Winds are light at 3 m/s at both stations, keeping seas calm and manageable. Saltwater Sportsman spotlights a maturing hogfish fishery centered out of Tampa Bay, noting that rod-and-reel anglers have solved the puzzle on this colorful wrasse over the past decade, working jigs and live shrimp near Gulf ledges and reefs. Unconfirmed forum reports from the Pensacola area describe active redfish and speckled trout in Blackwater Bay today, with reds reportedly reaching 30 inches on jerkbaits — consistent with what the season and water temperatures would suggest, though the report lacks higher-trust corroboration. The waning gibbous moon continues to drive tidal exchange, and snook are approaching their pre-spawn peak along passes and mangrove edges Gulf-wide.

May 6

NOAA buoy 42039 recorded 76°F water temperatures off the Gulf Panhandle this morning, with companion buoy 42012 showing 73°F further south — readings that confirm early May's offshore season is fully underway. On May 4, anglers posting on the Pensacola Fishing Forum noted blue, clean water pushing close to the Oriskany area, with several amberjack and smaller red snappers to the boat on what they described as a slow day overall. The bigger story for Panhandle boats is regulatory: both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that federal exempted fishing permits have unlocked expanded recreational red snapper seasons across Florida for 2026, giving vessels running out of Destin and Pensacola significantly more days than in recent years. With 2-foot seas and winds under 12 knots, offshore access is comfortable. Verify exact season dates and bag limits with federal regulations before launching.

May 6

NOAA buoy 42036 clocked 74°F water and 1-foot seas at first light today, with buoy 42013 confirming 76°F closer to the coast — near-perfect conditions for southwest Florida's most sought-after inshore targets. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens, reporting on Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor's flats this week, calls May 'without a doubt, one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor,' and the mid-70s readings back him up. Snook are pushing into tidal passes ahead of the summer spawn, and Salt Strong's coverage of big-snook tactics highlights why structure-oriented live-bait presentations are producing at dawn and dusk. Tarpon are arriving on schedule — this is prime timing for rolling fish in Bay channels and along Sarasota's barrier island passes, though no source-confirmed blitz has been reported yet. Coastal Angler Magazine also highlights the seasonal shift toward second-shift angling as daytime heat climbs toward summer, making late-afternoon and overnight sessions increasingly worthwhile.

May 6

Water temps are holding at 78°F per NOAA buoy 41114 (observed April 26), placing the Florida Keys firmly in prime late-spring territory. The biggest offshore news: South Atlantic red snapper seasons are expanding dramatically for 2026 after federal approval of exempted fishing permits — per both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag, Florida anglers will see a 39-day Atlantic recreational season divided into two segments, as reported by Anglers Journal following the state's push for expanded access. That opens more legitimate snapper time on nearshore ledges and wrecks. On the flats, no specific charter reports are in hand this cycle, but 78°F water is textbook for the annual tarpon migration that typically peaks through the Keys from late April into June. Permit are in prime feeding mode along sandy edges and bonefish remain a reliable target on turtle grass flats. Waves running at 2.3 feet offshore per NOAA buoy 41114 keep conditions manageable for boats running to the reef line and beyond.

May 6

The USGS gauge on the St. Johns River (site 02232000) logged 96.9 cfs as of early May 6 — a modest flow for this sprawling blackwater system, signaling that fish are condensing along deeper channel edges and grass-flat transitions rather than spread across flooded shallows. No temperature reading was returned from the gauge this cycle, and no direct on-the-water reports specific to Lake Okeechobee or the St. Johns corridor appeared in this edition's angler-intel feeds, so conditions testimony is thin. What the calendar does confirm: early May marks the post-spawn transition for largemouth bass across central Florida, with fish typically relocating off spawning flats onto adjacent grass edges, shell bars, and dock structure. MidCurrent reports that a February settlement clarified the scope of a proposed rock mine in Florida's Everglades Agricultural Area — Army Corps review remains pending — a reminder that water management pressures continue to shadow the broader Lake Okeechobee watershed. Verify current bite conditions locally before launching.

May 6

Red snapper fishing off Florida's Atlantic coast is set for a banner year. Per Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag, federal approval of exempted fishing permits (EFPs) has unlocked greatly expanded 2026 recreational seasons across South Atlantic states, with Florida's Atlantic segment expected to run in two distinct windows this summer. NOAA buoys 41009 and 41008 recorded light winds—5 and 4 m/s respectively—and air temperatures between 72°F and 77°F as of early May 6, pointing to comfortable offshore conditions. No surface water temperatures were captured at either station, so anglers should consult local resources before planning deep drops. Inshore, Salt Strong spotlights snook as a prime target right now, with 40-plus-inch fish a realistic goal around structure using live bait. Cobia are a predictable spring presence along the Atlantic coast this time of year, and redfish schools remain active. The waning gibbous moon favors early-morning feeding windows across the board.

May 6

Water temps of 74–76°F logged across Gulf Coast NOAA buoys 42036 and 42039 on the morning of May 6 signal the full arrival of prime inshore season. Sport Fishing Mag's guide to Florida's Forgotten Coast highlights speckled trout over 20 inches coming consistently to anglers working artificials along undeveloped marshy shoreline — conditions that match the current thermal range precisely. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens calls May "probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor," pointing to Boca Grande Pass and the surrounding flats as the region's focal point right now. Snook and redfish should be capitalizing on warm, calm flats through mid-month. Offshore, angler chatter out of Pensacola on May 4 noted blue water close in near offshore structure with amberjack and smaller snappers in the mix, though the same crew reported a generally slow overall bite. Saltwater Sportsman reports that federally approved 2026 expanded red snapper seasons are now in effect via pilot programs — verify exact dates and limits with current state and federal regulations before targeting them.

May 6

NOAA buoy 42039 clocked Gulf surface temperatures at 76°F on May 5, with buoy 42012 registering 73°F farther west — a bracket that puts the Panhandle squarely in prime spring fishing territory. Sport Fishing Mag's recent feature on Florida's Gulf coast highlights speckled trout exceeding 20 inches taken consistently on artificials over undeveloped grass-flat shorelines, a pattern historically shared by Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay. Light winds of 4–5 m/s at both buoy stations have kept sea conditions manageable this week. Offshore, the Gulf federal red snapper season is approaching — anglers should verify exact opening dates through NOAA Fisheries before targeting snapper, as Gulf season windows shift annually and are entirely separate from any Atlantic-coast regulatory news. Inshore and nearshore, early May typically marks the peak of cobia migration along Panhandle beaches and nearshore reef structure, alongside active Spanish mackerel schools in 15–30 feet. The waning gibbous moon should favor dawn and dusk bite windows through mid-week.

May 5

Water temps logged at 75°F and 77°F at NOAA buoy 42036 and buoy 42013 respectively confirm the greater Tampa Bay and Sarasota corridor is fully into its early-summer groove. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens calls May "probably one of my favorite months to fish" Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass — the storied pass that anchors one of the world's most prolific tarpon migrations. Light winds at 3–4 m/s are keeping boat rides comfortable, and the waning gibbous moon is still generating meaningful tidal energy to fire up the passes and grass-flat edges. Sport Fishing Mag highlights speckled trout on artificials as a consistent producer across Florida's Gulf Coast flats at this time of year. With water temps in the mid-to-upper 70s, snook and redfish are also moving onto nearshore structure and shallow grass. Anglers who time their casts around the passes at tide change stand to hit peak action over the next several days.

May 5

Water at 78°F per NOAA buoy 41114 puts the Florida Keys squarely in prime early-May territory for both flats and offshore fishing. The standout regulatory news this season: Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that federally approved exempted fishing permits (EFPs) have unlocked greatly expanded red snapper access for Florida's Atlantic waters in 2026 — Anglers Journal reports a proposed 39-day recreational season split across two segments. On the flats, 78°F water is textbook temperature for tarpon pushing across channels and shallow grass beds, with permit and bonefish also fitting the seasonal profile; no live charter reports are in hand this cycle, so we're anchoring those assessments to the buoy data and typical May patterns. Seas running around 2.3 feet per buoy 41114 are manageable for day runs to offshore structure. The waning gibbous moon supports meaningful tidal movement over the next several days, favoring low-light flats windows at dawn and dusk.

May 5