Mary Esther Fishing Reports (May 2026)

Tyler Massey with Hot Spots Charters
Pensacola, Florida
Reported: 1 day ago

Offshore fishing has been great! Plenty of Vermillion snapper, triggerfish and a few scamp grouper. Red snapper season opens up May 22nd for the inshore/nearshore boats and June 1st for the Offshore boats

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Tyler Massey with Hot Spots Charters Pensacola, Florida Reported: 1 day ago

Offshore fishing has been great! Plenty of Vermillion snapper, triggerfish and a few scamp grouper. Red snapper season opens up May 22nd for the inshore/nearshore boats and June 1st for the Offshore boats

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Jason Yates
Shalimar, Florida
Reported: 5 days ago

Mahi have been on fire 🔥

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Jason Yates Shalimar, Florida Reported: 5 days ago

Mahi have been on fire 🔥

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Clay Hinton
Pensacola, Florida
Reported: 5 days ago

Inshore has been on fire with 4 inshore slams in the last 4 trips! Some stud flounder and bull reds mixed in as well. Dock lights have produced consistent trout after the sun sets

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Clay Hinton Pensacola, Florida Reported: 5 days ago

Inshore has been on fire with 4 inshore slams in the last 4 trips! Some stud flounder and bull reds mixed in as well. Dock lights have produced consistent trout after the sun sets

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Heath Howle
Okaloosa Island, Florida
Reported: 5 days ago

Bull mingo bite has been on fire! Spade fish are everywhere and we've been finding some nice sized triggerfish!

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Heath Howle Okaloosa Island, Florida Reported: 5 days ago

Bull mingo bite has been on fire! Spade fish are everywhere and we've been finding some nice sized triggerfish!

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Brandon Simon
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Reported: 5 days ago

The trout, redfish, and black drum have all been chewing down since May started. Had some amazing days on the water lately

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Brandon Simon Santa Rosa Beach, Florida Reported: 5 days ago

The trout, redfish, and black drum have all been chewing down since May started. Had some amazing days on the water lately

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James Callahan
Pensacola, Florida
Reported: 6 days ago

Pensacola — this week’s fishing report (early May) Overview - Strong, multi-area bite right now: surf, inshore/backwaters, nearshore reefs/wrecks and offshore all producing when conditions allow. - Water temps are warming (upper 60s–low 70s reported), bait is moving in, and fish are active from the beach out to the wrecks...

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James Callahan Pensacola, Florida Reported: 6 days ago

Pensacola — this week’s fishing report (early May)

Overview
- Strong, multi-area bite right now: surf, inshore/backwaters, nearshore reefs/wrecks and offshore all producing when conditions allow.
- Water temps are warming (upper 60s–low 70s reported), bait is moving in, and fish are active from the beach out to the wrecks and ledges.
- Wind and frontal passages will still create short weather windows — plan trips around calmer days.

What’s biting
- Surf / Beach: Pompano run in full swing (also whiting, some drum). Spanish mackerel are showing up along the beach; king mackerel will be more common as the month progresses.
- Pier: Spanish mackerel and early kings near mid-to-end of the pier; night fishing around lights can produce.
- Inshore / Bays / Flats: Big spotted trout and redfish are active on the flats and around grass edges; flounder and slot reds in some areas.
- Nearshore / Reefs & Wrecks: Vermilion (vermilion) snapper, amberjack, grouper and a steady reef/wreck bite. Mangrove snapper and scamp show on structure.
- Offshore / Deep-water: When weather permits, bottom fishing and deep drops are producing tilefish and solid bottom action. Trolling lanes are starting to produce kings in places.

Baits, tackle & techniques
- Surf: Bottom rigs with fresh shrimp or sand fleas for pompano/whiting; small jigs or gotcha plugs for Spanish.
- Pier: Cut bait for bottom species; live bait for kings and bigger pelagics.
- Inshore: Live shrimp, soft plastics, or topwater/traction plugs around bait pods and grass edges for trout and reds.
- Nearshore/Offshore: Sabiki rigs for tink

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Alex Hare
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Reported: 1 week ago

Bottom fishing been great catching amberjacks, red snappers, triggerfish, vermillion and black snappers

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Alex Hare Fort Walton Beach, Florida Reported: 1 week ago

Bottom fishing been great catching amberjacks, red snappers, triggerfish, vermillion and black snappers

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Braden Coker
Pensacola, Florida
Reported: 1 week ago

Night bite is super hot right now. Trout and redfish. Daytime fishing has been producing a ton of Spanish mackerel and some bull reds showing up

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Braden Coker Pensacola, Florida Reported: 1 week ago

Night bite is super hot right now. Trout and redfish.
Daytime fishing has been producing a ton of Spanish mackerel and some bull reds showing up

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