Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) Fishing Reports (May 2026)

Fred Rodriguez
McAllen, Texas
Reported: 16 hours ago

Water is up , tide levels are high and fish are scattered. Cut bait fresh mullet or ballyhoo are working best. Lures are also catching redfish and trout. Live shrimp with a popping cork is also good. Live croaker is now an option for the summer. Awesome bait for speckled...

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Fred Rodriguez McAllen, Texas Reported: 16 hours ago

Water is up , tide levels are high and fish are scattered. Cut bait fresh mullet or ballyhoo are working best. Lures are also catching redfish and trout. Live shrimp with a popping cork is also good. Live croaker is now an option for the summer. Awesome bait for speckled trout. Live shrimp and live croaker cost to the guest. Cut bait mullet and ballyhoo also cost a few dollars. Let's go fishing and book a trip with Captain Fred Rodriguez

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Clay Hinton
Pensacola, Florida
Reported: 17 hours 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: 17 hours 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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Jeff Ready
Panama City Beach, Florida
Reported: 1 day ago

sLast few weeks have been hot. Lots of Spanish Mackerel still running. We won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for a sweep in the inshore competition last weekend. Seeing Mahi starting to come in, some big grouper, big red snapper, a couple big redfish caught offshore of all places. All...

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Jeff Ready Panama City Beach, Florida Reported: 1 day ago

sLast few weeks have been hot. Lots of Spanish Mackerel still running. We won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for a sweep in the inshore competition last weekend. Seeing Mahi starting to come in, some big grouper, big red snapper, a couple big redfish caught offshore of all places. All in all the fishing is great right now.

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Heath Howle
Okaloosa Island, Florida
Reported: 1 day 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: 1 day 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: 1 day 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: 1 day 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: 1 day 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: 1 day 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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Drew Underwood
Fort Myers, Florida
Reported: 1 day ago

These three snook are from today's 4-hour charter using pilchards sight fishing them in the mangroves

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Drew Underwood Fort Myers, Florida Reported: 1 day ago

These three snook are from today's 4-hour charter using pilchards sight fishing them in the mangroves

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Aaron Highers
Port Orange, Florida
Reported: 1 day ago

Offshore lots of snappers and sharks.

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Aaron Highers Port Orange, Florida Reported: 1 day ago

Offshore lots of snappers and sharks.

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