May 2026 — Florida Keys: Peak tarpon season — thousands of fish in the channels, permit on the flats. May is a late spring month with water in the 72-78°F range — tarpon arriving; snook and redfish on the flats; offshore sailfish transitioning. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — May 2026
Primary targets this month: Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Mahi.
Tarpon
Peak tarpon season. Fish stacked on Bahia Honda Bridge, Seven Mile Bridge, Long Key Bridge, Channel 2, Channel 5, and the oceanside flats from Islamorada through Marathon during spring migration. Live crabs, threadfin herring, pinfish on 6/0-8/0 circle hooks and 60-80 lb fluoro leader. Pre-dawn anchor bites at major passes; sight-fishing the beach; rolling fish in the channels.
Permit
Permit on the wrecks 5-20 miles off Key West and Marathon, the channel edges of the Marquesas, and the bridges at Bahia Honda and Seven Mile. Sight-fish on the flats with live blue crabs or small crabs on a 1/0-2/0 circle hook, 20 lb fluoro leader. Extremely spooky — long casts, soft presentations, patient stalking.
Bonefish
Bonefish on the flats of Islamorada (Lower Matecumbe, Buchanan Bank), the Marathon flats, the Bahia Honda flats, and the backcountry of the Lower Keys. Sight-fishing — pole the flats, look for tailing or pushing fish, and lead them with a small crab fly (Gotcha, Crazy Charlie, Bonefish Bitter) or a live shrimp. Long leaders to 10-15 lb fluoro.
Mahi
Peak mahi season on the weed lines and color changes 15-30 miles offshore, the Marathon Hump, and any floating debris. Look for weed lines, color changes, floating debris, and frigatebirds. Trolled ballyhoo with skirts (blue/white, pink/white), or live pilchards pitched to schools. Bull and cow pairs in spring; schoolies (3-12 lb) summer.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 72-78°F. Tarpon arriving; snook and redfish on the flats; offshore sailfish transitioning. Bridge fishing in the Keys is driven entirely by current; slack water is dead. Outgoing tide through the channels is the prime tarpon window.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Early and late. 5-9 AM window and 6 PM to dark are gold; midday water temps push fish deep or into shade.
- Live bait season. Cast-net pilchards, scaled sardines, and threadfins for snook, tarpon, and snapper. Chum with a few live ones to start a feed.
- Storm awareness. Afternoon thunderstorms develop fast — check radar before and during trips. Get off at first thunder.
May Outlook
Late spring — tarpon arriving, snook moving, summer pelagic season building offshore.
Regulations Reminder
Tarpon: Catch-and-release only — tarpon over 40″ must remain in water. Permit: 11-22″ slot in most FL zones; special permit tag required in Keys Special Permit Zone. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: World Wide Sportsman (Islamorada, 305-664-4615); Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (Islamorada); Sea Boots Outfitters (Big Pine).
Public Boat Ramps: Founders Park (Islamorada), Whale Harbor (Islamorada), Marathon city ramps, Big Pine Key, Geiger Key, Key West (Garrison Bight, Stock Island).
Charter Fishing: $500-$900 flats (bonefish/permit/tarpon); $1,000-$1,800 offshore; backcountry skiffs $550-$800.
More Florida Keys Resources
Florida Keys Fishing Guide · Florida Keys Seasonal Calendar · All Florida Keys reports →
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