May 2025 — Sarasota: Tarpon Building at the Passes, Snook Pre-Spawn, Offshore at Pace. May is a late spring month with water in the 74-80°F range — tarpon arriving Gulf passes; offshore action builds. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — May 2025
Primary targets this month: Tarpon, Snook, Seatrout, Redfish.
Tarpon
Peak tarpon season. Fish stacked on the beaches off Lido Key, Longboat Key, and Siesta Key from May through July; New Pass and Big Pass during strong tide changes. 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 the New Pass jetties, Big Pass, the docks of Siesta Key, the bridges of Stickney Point and Ringling, and the mangrove shorelines of Whitaker Bayou for fun. Handle fish carefully and release quickly.
Seatrout
Summer trout in the deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay, Big Sarasota Pass approach, Roberts Bay deep grass, and the Ringling Causeway area — focus on deeper grass edges and potholes early and late. Live shrimp and pinfish under popping corks; trolling MirrOlures over grass flats.
Redfish
Summer redfish in the grass flats of Sarasota Bay (Stephens Point, Bird Key area), Roberts Bay, the Big Pass flats, and the south shore of Lemon Bay. Fish dawn and dusk — once water hits 85°F bites slow significantly. Live pinfish, cut ladyfish, topwater walking baits at first light.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 74-80°F. Tarpon arriving gulf passes; offshore action builds. Sarasota’s two main passes (New Pass and Big Pass) move enormous water; strongest bite windows are the last hour of incoming and first two hours of outgoing.
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. Redfish: 18-27″ slot, one per angler per day (verify FWC zone-specific rules). Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). 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: CB’s Saltwater Outfitters (Siesta Key, 941-349-4400); Economy Tackle (Sarasota); Dolphin Outfitters (Bird Key).
Public Boat Ramps: Centennial Park (Sarasota, fast access to Big Pass), Ken Thompson Park (City Island), Turtle Beach (Siesta), Higel Park (Roberts Bay).
Charter Fishing: $500-$800 inshore; $700-$1,100 beach tarpon; $1,000-$1,800 offshore.
More Sarasota Resources
Sarasota Fishing Guide · Sarasota Seasonal Calendar · All Sarasota reports →
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