2 weeks ago · Updated 2 weeks ago
Florida’s coastal waters are experiencing a seasonal transition, with anglers reporting strong action across inshore, nearshore, and offshore zones as fall patterns begin to set in.
Weekly Catches
The catches below cover the last 7 days.
Snook
Snook are providing excellent action along beaches, passes, and especially in back bays and near structure. The start of snook season on September 1st has brought out many anglers, with keeper-sized fish reported from the Space Coast (Melbourne to Sebastian), Adventure Coast (Brooksville–Weeki Wachee), and Tampa Bay areas. Productive baits include live mullet and greenbacks, while artificial lures such as the Rapala X-Rap Long Cast (size 14) and D.O.A. Baitbusters are recommended during the mullet run.
- Hotspots: Beaches, passes, back bays, mangrove edges, and inlet areas.
- Effective baits/lures: Live mullet, greenbacks, Rapala X-Rap Long Cast, D.O.A. Baitbusters.
Redfish
Redfish are schooling on the flats, oyster bars, and mangroves, with strong catch-and-release activity reported in southern Brevard County and Hernando County. Although harvest remains closed, anglers are finding quality fish using live bait and targeting areas with abundant mullet schools.
- Hotspots: Flats, oyster bars, mangroves, lagoon areas.
- Effective baits/lures: Live bait (mullet, greenbacks).
Trout
Trout are active over deeper grass beds and around dock lights at night, with steady catches reported from the Adventure Coast and Space Coast regions. Larger trout are being caught using live bait and soft plastics.
- Hotspots: Deeper flats, grass beds, dock lights.
- Effective baits/lures: Live bait, soft plastics.
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove snapper are thick near docks, bridges, and jetties, especially in the Tampa Bay area. The bite is hit-or-miss nearshore, but bigger shrimp are helping improve catch rates. The first sheepshead are also starting to show up near structure.
- Hotspots: Docks, bridges, jetties, nearshore reefs.
- Effective baits/lures: Live shrimp, cut bait.
Hogfish
Hogfish are beginning to fire up on nearshore trips, especially on 10-hour charters out of the Tampa Bay region. The bite is expected to improve as cooler weather arrives, with larger shrimp producing better results.
- Hotspots: Nearshore reefs and ledges (10-hour trip range).
- Effective baits/lures: Large live shrimp.
Grouper
Red grouper are more consistent in deeper nearshore waters, while offshore anglers are seeing a mix of red grouper, scamp, and strawberry grouper. The offshore bite remains strong despite the closure of amberjack season.
- Hotspots: Deeper nearshore and offshore reefs.
- Effective baits/lures: Cut bait, live pinfish.
Snapper Species
Offshore catches include mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, vermilion snapper, and porgies, with anglers reporting steady action on longer trips out of Tampa Bay.
- Hotspots: Offshore reefs and ledges.
- Effective baits/lures: Cut bait, squid.
Pelagic Species
Wahoo, tuna, and mahi-mahi are being caught offshore by trolling and freelining baits. The pelagic bite is keeping things exciting for anglers venturing farther out.
- Hotspots: Offshore bluewater edges.
- Effective baits/lures: Trolled lures, live bait.
Other Inshore Species
Tarpon, jack crevalle, king mackerel, and sharks are active along the beaches and in the lagoon, especially during the mullet run. These apex predators are striking live mullet and mullet-imitating lures at dawn, dusk, and around bait pods.
- Hotspots: Beaches, lagoon, outer edges of bait pods.
- Effective baits/lures: Live mullet, Rapala X-Rap 12, Saltwater Assassin Artemis Shad.
Weather & Marine Conditions
Florida is heading into a quarter moon this Tuesday, resulting in slower moving tides through the weekend. A small frontal boundary is expected to push through on Sunday, which may spark increased fish activity ahead of the low pressure. Water temperatures have been on a warming trend, but cloud cover and shifting patterns should help balance conditions for fall fishing.
Tides & Solunar Activity
With the quarter moon phase, anglers can expect slower tides, which may favor inshore and nearshore fishing. The upcoming frontal boundary could trigger feeding activity, especially ahead of the weather change. Dawn, dusk, and afternoons have all produced solid bites, particularly during the ongoing mullet run.
Fishing Conditions & Tips
The mullet run is underway along the Space Coast and beaches statewide, attracting a wide variety of predators. Target the outer edges of bait pods with live bait or lures that imitate mullet for best results. Recommended lures include the Rapala X-Rap Long Cast, Saltwater Assassin Artemis Shad, and D.O.A. Baitbusters. Single hooks are preferred for catch-and-release and angler safety. Larger shrimp are producing better catches for hogfish and mangrove snapper nearshore.
- Use live mullet or greenbacks for snook, redfish, tarpon, and jacks.
- Fish the outer edges of bait pods for kingfish, sharks, and other predators.
- Target deeper flats and dock lights at night for trout.
- Try large live shrimp for hogfish and mangrove snapper nearshore.
Regulations & Notices
Anglers should be aware of current seasonal closures and bag limits. The amberjack season has just closed offshore, but most other species remain open. The gag grouper recreational season in federal Gulf waters runs from September 1 to September 15, 2025, with strict bag and possession limits during the closure period. Redfish harvest remains closed in several regions, but catch-and-release is encouraged. Always check the latest regulations for size and bag limits, as rules change frequently.
- Saltwater fishing license required for most anglers (exemptions for youth, seniors, charters, and certain piers).
- Red snapper, grouper, and mahi-mahi have specific size and bag limits; check current FWC rules.
- Seasonal closures apply to amberjack and some grouper species.
- Gag grouper season in federal Gulf waters: September 1–15, 2025.
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