May 2026 — St. Augustine / Northeast FL: Snook on the Flats, First Tarpon, Mahi 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: Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Mahi.
Snook
Snook season is closed for harvest in Florida — catch-and-release only this month. Target St. Augustine Inlet (the Bridge of Lions area and jetty), Matanzas Inlet, the ICW around Bridge of Lions, and the bayfront docks for fun. Handle fish carefully and release quickly.
Redfish
Summer redfish in the Tolomato River, Salt Run, Matanzas River, the Guana River, the marshes south of St. Augustine, and the Tolomato bird island flats. Fish dawn and dusk — once water hits 85°F bites slow significantly. Live pinfish, cut ladyfish, topwater walking baits at first light.
Tarpon
Peak tarpon season. Fish stacked on St. Augustine Inlet, Matanzas Inlet, the surf zone in summer, the bridges, and the offshore beach. 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.
Mahi
Peak mahi season on the weed lines and floating debris 25-50 miles offshore, the Gulf Stream edge. 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. St. Augustine Inlet moves significant water — outgoing tide concentrates bait at the jetty and is the prime snook/tarpon window. The Tolomato and Matanzas Rivers are heavily tide-driven; falling water out of the marsh creeks concentrates redfish at the creek mouths.
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). 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: Avid Angler (St. Augustine, 904-797-8500); Strike Zone (Jacksonville — close by); Capt. Mike’s Crab Trap (Vilano); North Florida Tackle (Jacksonville Beach).
Public Boat Ramps: Lighthouse Park (Salt Run access), Vilano Beach Ramp, North Beach Park, Devil’s Elbow Fish Camp (Matanzas), Marineland ramp, Fish Island Boat Ramp.
Charter Fishing: $450–$700 inshore (Tolomato/Matanzas); $700–$1,100 nearshore/inlet; $1,000–$1,800 offshore (sailfish, kings, snapper).
More St. Augustine / Northeast FL Resources
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