This weekend is shaping up to be a productive one across the Florida Gulf Coast as we move into May, a prime month for many popular species. Water temperatures are favorable, and baitfish are becoming more abundant, exciting the bite in many areas.
Overall Outlook: Good to Excellent. Conditions are generally favorable, with a wide variety of species active inshore, nearshore, and offshore. Pay attention to the timing of the tides for the best inshore action and be prepared for potential afternoon showers or thunderstorms, especially on Sunday.
Weather Forecast:
- Saturday, May 3rd: Expect mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with light winds, generally from the southeast shifting southwest in the afternoon (around 5-10 knots). Seas should remain light, around 1-2 feet or less in most areas.
- Sunday, May 4th: Similar light wind conditions (south to southwest at 5-10 knots), but with an increased chance of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoon and evening. Seas remain light, around 2-3 feet in the afternoon but calming later.
READ: Florida Anglers Reel In Record-Breaking Red Snapper Season For 2025
Note: Winds and waves will be higher in and near thunderstorms.
Tides: Tides vary significantly along the Gulf Coast. Here are sample tide times for a few locations. Always check a local tide chart for your specific fishing location.
- New Port Richey, FL:
- Saturday, May 3rd: High Tide around 7:00 AM (2.3 ft) and 5:23 PM (3.1 ft). Low Tide around 12:52 AM (0.0 ft) and 12:26 PM (1.7 ft).
- Sunday, May 4th: High Tide around 8:04 AM (2.3 ft) and 6:40 PM (2.8 ft). Low Tide around 1:54 AM (0.3 ft) and 1:40 PM (1.6 ft).
- Gulf Harbors, FL:
- Saturday, May 3rd: High Tides around 6:42 AM (2.13 ft) and 4:02 PM (2.99 ft). Low Tides around 12:02 AM (0.03 ft) and 10:33 AM (1.84 ft).
- Sunday, May 4th: High Tides around 8:07 AM (2.17 ft) and 5:18 PM (2.56 ft). Low Tides around 1:15 AM (0.36 ft) and 12:04 PM (1.9 ft).
- St. Petersburg, FL: (Partial data available, check local charts for full times)
- Wednesday, April 30th: High Tide around 3:25 PM (2.77 ft), Low Tide around 11:54 PM (-0.55 ft). (Use local charts for May 3rd and 4th specifics).
Fishing Tip: The moving water during incoming and outgoing tides is often the most productive time to fish inshore.
Water Temperature: Gulf Coast water temperatures are generally in the mid to high 70s Fahrenheit (around 24−26∘C) in most central and south Gulf locations, slightly cooler in the Panhandle (low to mid 70s Fahrenheit). These temperatures are ideal for a wide range of warm-water species.
Species to Target:
- Inshore:
- Tarpon: The migratory Tarpon run is beginning! Look for schools cruising along the beaches, in passes, and potentially in major bay systems. Live mullet, crabs, or large artificials like DOA Baitbusters or large soft plastic shads are effective. Be ready for a strong fight!
- Snook: Snook fishing is heating up as they prepare for their summer spawn. Target them around mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, docks, bridges, and in passes. Live pilchards, pinfish, or artificials like jerk worms, soft plastic jigs, and topwater plugs can work well. Remember to handle these breeding fish with extreme care and release them quickly. Night fishing around dock lights can also be very productive for Snook and sometimes Trout.
- Redfish: Redfish are active on shallow flats, especially during higher tides when they can access mangrove edges and oyster bars. During lower tides, target them in potholes and along sandbars. Live or cut bait (pinfish, mullet, shrimp), soft plastic jigs, and weedless spoons are great choices. Fishing quietly is key in shallow water.
- Spotted Seatrout: Trout are plentiful on deep grass flats and can also be found in some of the same shallow areas as Redfish. Live shrimp or baitfish under a popping cork, soft plastic jigs (DOA Cals, artificial shrimp), and topwater lures are effective.
- Spanish Mackerel & Bluefish: These speedy predators can be found on deep grass flats and in the coastal gulf. Look for diving birds or baitfish schools. Casting or trolling spoons, Got-Cha plugs, or small jigs works well. Use a fluorocarbon or wire leader to prevent cut-offs.
- Pompano: Still a possibility, especially in the surf and on deep grass flats. Sand fleas, live shrimp, or small jigs are good baits.
READ: Reel In The Fun: Atlantic Reef Fish Season Opens May 1st In Florida
- Nearshore/Coastal Gulf:
- King Mackerel: Kings are becoming more prevalent in the coastal gulf. Trolling spoons, plugs, or live/dead bait is effective. Keep an eye out for bait schools or surface activity.
- Cobia & Tripletail: These can be found around buoys, structure, and floating debris in the coastal gulf. Have a rod ready with a jig or live bait for sight casting.
- Offshore:
- Grouper & Snapper: The Gag Grouper season is open, and various snapper species (Mangrove, Lane, Red – check regulations for Red Snapper season) are available on reefs, wrecks, and ledges in deeper water. Bottom fishing with live or cut bait is the standard technique.
- Blackfin Tuna: Can be found over deeper structure. Chumming and live baiting are often effective methods.
Recommended Baits & Lures:
- Live Bait: Pilchards, pinfish, mullet, shrimp, crabs (for Tarpon).
- Cut Bait: Pinfish, mullet, ladyfish (for Redfish, Snook, Grouper, Snapper).
- Artificials: Soft plastic jigs (shad tails, jerk worms), spoons, topwater plugs, twitch baits, popping corks, Got-Cha plugs, Rapala or Yo-Zuri plugs.
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