Fishing Report: Redfish, Trout, Pompano & Offshore Bite Heating Up on Florida's Gulf Coast

Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday May 17 fishing report for the Florida Gulf of Mexico region Sunrise this morning came in at 636 AM with sunset expected at 813 PM so you have a long day to wet a line Tides across the Gulf are generally favorable this weekend with a high tide around sunrise and another push in the afternoon so watch your local tide charts for the best timing All that moving water means good opportunities for both inshore and offshore fishing Weather is holding steady with mostly sunny skies light southeast winds turning southwest through the day and seas running an easy 1 to 2 feet That makes for great boating but keep an eye out for a stray afternoon shower as those pop up quick this time of year Inshore action is excellent right now The redfish bite has been hot from Pensacola down the coast especially around grass flats and oyster bars near Navarre and Apalachicola Folks are also landing solid numbers of speckled trout at first light on topwaters and soft plastics Sheepshead are still hanging around near the Fort Pickens area targeting structure and deeper pilings using live shrimp[1][3] On the beaches pompano are running steady with some whiting mixed in Cast FishGum or sand flea Fishbites up close to the sandbar and you’re almost sure to hook up Mornings have been best for the pompano while whiting can be caught all through the day Silver spoons or pink E Z Shrimp plastics are also a good option as Spanish mackerel start to show up in bigger numbers along the surf[4] Offshore fishing is heating up with grouper snapper and kingfish leading the reports Look for big red snapper and grouper around reefs and wrecks Drop down live pinfish or cut bait for your best shot at a big one Kingfish are biting on the edge of the bluewater especially at sunrise and sunset Drift or slow troll live bait or shiny spoons for fast action[4][5] Tarpon are beginning to show in good numbers along the passes and bridges with the first pods rolling through If you want silver kings rig a live crab or big threadfin and be patient Early morning or dusk are your best windows[3] Hotspots this weekend include the Pensacola grass flats for trout and reds Apalachicola’s oyster beds for mixed bag bay action and the beaches near Cape San Blas for pompano If you’re heading offshore try the reefs off Destin for bottom species or troll the edge for kingfish and the occasional mahi Top baits inshore are live shrimp finger mullet and soft plastic jerkbaits For artificials MirrOlure Gulp and gold spoons are day savers Offshore stick with live pinfish or pilchards and heavy jigs for snapper and grouper That’s the word for today Tight lines and see you on the water This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.