Shalimar Fishing Reports (May 2026)

Kent P.
DeFuniak Springs, Florida
Reported 14 hours ago

The snapper bite is on fire, opens tomorrow the 22nd Got a wahoo last week on a 10hr offshore trolling and another one this week on a 10hr offshore trolling and some mahi

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Kent P. DeFuniak Springs, Florida Reported 14 hours ago

The snapper bite is on fire, opens tomorrow the 22nd
Got a wahoo last week on a 10hr offshore trolling and another one this week on a 10hr offshore trolling and some mahi

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Kent P.
DeFuniak Springs, Florida
Reported 6 days ago

Snapper season starts may 22, we're getting dozens chumed up, several got back to the reef and popped off,

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Kent P. DeFuniak Springs, Florida Reported 6 days ago

Snapper season starts may 22, we're getting dozens chumed up, several got back to the reef and popped off,

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Tyler M.
Pensacola, Florida
Reported 1 week 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 M. Pensacola, Florida Reported 1 week 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 Y.
Shalimar, Florida
Reported 1 week ago

Mahi have been on fire 🔥

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Jason Y. Shalimar, Florida Reported 1 week ago

Mahi have been on fire 🔥

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Clay H.
Pensacola, Florida
Reported 1 week 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 H. Pensacola, Florida Reported 1 week 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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Brandon S.
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Reported 2 weeks 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 S. Santa Rosa Beach, Florida Reported 2 weeks 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 C.
Pensacola, Florida
Reported 2 weeks 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 C. Pensacola, Florida Reported 2 weeks 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 H.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Reported 2 weeks ago

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

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Alex H. Fort Walton Beach, Florida Reported 2 weeks ago

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

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