May 2026 — Palm Beach: Spring Mahi-Mahi Peak on Weedlines, Tarpon in the Lagoon, Blue Marlin Building. 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: Mahi, Tarpon, Snook, Sailfish.
Mahi
Peak mahi season on the weed lines and color changes 10-25 miles offshore, the deeper edges in summer. 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.
Tarpon
Peak tarpon season. Fish stacked on Lake Worth Inlet, Jupiter Inlet, the Loxahatchee River, the ICW bridges, and the beach in summer. 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.
Snook
Snook season is closed for harvest in Florida — catch-and-release only this month. Target Lake Worth Inlet, Jupiter Inlet, the Intracoastal bridges, the inlet jetties, and the docks of Palm Beach for fun. Handle fish carefully and release quickly.
Sailfish
Sailfish around “Sailfish Alley” between Lake Worth Inlet and Jupiter Inlet — 80-200 feet just off the beach. Slower season — fish are scattered. Live bait and high-speed trolling both produce.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 72-78°F. Tarpon arriving; snook and redfish on the flats; offshore sailfish transitioning. Lake Worth Inlet and Jupiter Inlet both produce strong currents — outgoing tide concentrates predators at the jetties. Gulf Stream current matters more than tide for offshore fishing.
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
Snook: 28-33″ slot (Atlantic and Gulf), one per day; seasonal closures vary by zone — verify FWC. Tarpon: Catch-and-release only — tarpon over 40″ must remain in water. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Lake Worth Bait & Tackle (561-588-9001); J&J Sport (West Palm); BJ’s Bait & Tackle (Jupiter); Riviera Beach Bait.
Public Boat Ramps: Riviera Beach Marina (Lake Worth Inlet — fast offshore), Phil Foster Park (Lake Worth), Jupiter Inlet ramp, Burt Reynolds Park (Jupiter).
Charter Fishing: $900-$1,600 sailfish; $1,200-$2,200 deep drop; $500-$800 inshore.
More Palm Beach Resources
Palm Beach Fishing Guide · Palm Beach Seasonal Calendar · All Palm Beach reports →
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