Pensacola Fishing Report — May 2025
Full spring season underway.
Inshore & Nearshore Fishing
Seatrout excellent on Pensacola Bay and East Bay grass flats. Redfish on the flats and around marsh grass edges. Spanish mackerel nearshore.
Offshore Fishing
Nearshore king mackerel excellent. Mahi on offshore weedlines. Red snapper season June 1.
Top Techniques This Month
May redfish: Gold spoon over the East Bay grass flats at low tide — tailing fish visible at dawn.
Fishing Outlook
Excellent.
Regulations
Redfish: 18–27″ slot, Gulf coast. Verify current regulations at state fishing regulations.
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Seatrout and Redfish — Peak Inshore
May is peak spring fishing in Pensacola. Water temps have climbed into the mid-70s and the inshore fishery is firing. Speckled trout are stacked on the grass flats at first light — topwater plugs the first hour, then soft plastics on a 1/8 oz jighead through the day. Live shrimp under a popping cork is foolproof. The grass flats inside Big Lagoon, around the spoil islands of Pensacola Bay, and the back of Perdido Bay are all holding fish. Slot trout (15–19 inches) are easy to come by; trophy fish over 22 inches get caught daily for anglers fishing the right structure at the right tide.
Redfish on Shallow Flats
Redfish are spreading across the shallow flats as the water warms. Innerarity Point, the back of Big Lagoon, and the flats off Ono Island are holding fish. Sight-casting at tailing fish on low tide is the most rewarding approach — gold spoons or weedless soft plastics. Live shrimp on a popping cork covers more water and produces consistent slot fish. Cut mullet on the bottom near oyster bars is the easy mode for anglers fishing from the bank.
Offshore Building Toward Snapper
The countdown to the June 1 federal red snapper opener is on. Boats are running scouting trips to mark fish on the inshore reefs in 80–120 feet — every wreck and rock pile is loaded with red snapper waiting for the gate to open. In the meantime, vermilion snapper (open year-round), king mackerel, cobia (winding down), and Spanish mackerel are all available. The reefs in 60–100 feet are producing limits of vermilions and good numbers of mingo snapper for those who put in the time.
Pompano, Beach Action, Regs
Pompano are still hitting in the surf on sand fleas and FishBites. The Pensacola Beach Pier is producing pompano, Spanish mackerel, and the first king mackerel of the year on slow-trolled live menhaden under a balloon. Water temps 73–76°F. Florida saltwater license required. Red snapper federal season opens June 1 — apply for the free reef-fish endorsement now. Cobia 33-inch minimum, 1-fish bag (verify current regs). Spotted seatrout slot 15–19 inches, 5-fish bag. Pompano 11-inch minimum, 6-fish bag. Hotspots: Big Lagoon flats at dawn, Pensacola Beach Pier for kings, Three Mile Bridge for the late-evening trout bite. Tight lines.