May 2025 — Stuart: Peak Tarpon Season Begins, Snook Pre-Spawn, Offshore Mahi Strong. 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 2025
Primary targets this month: Snook, Tarpon, Mahi, Sailfish.
Snook
Snook season is closed for harvest in Florida — catch-and-release only this month. Target the St. Lucie Inlet jetty, the Crossroads (where the St. Lucie meets the Indian River), the Roosevelt Bridge, the Hells Gate area, and the docks of Sewall’s Point for fun. Handle fish carefully and release quickly.
Tarpon
Peak tarpon season. Fish stacked on the St. Lucie Inlet, the Crossroads, the deeper holes of the IRL, and the surf zone at Hobe Sound. 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 color changes 15-25 miles offshore, the Push Button Hill area, and any floating debris in 100-300 feet. 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.
Sailfish
Sailfish around the Push Button Hill area off Stuart, the color change at 100-200 feet, the Loran Tower numbers, and the Bahamas current edge. 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. St. Lucie Inlet moves serious water; outgoing tide concentrates bait and game fish in the Crossroads area. The first two hours of incoming tide push clean blue Gulf Stream water in.
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: Snook Nook (Jensen Beach, 772-334-2710); Tackle Shack (Stuart, 772-220-2700); Whiticar Boat Works (Stuart).
Public Boat Ramps: Sandsprit Park (St. Lucie Inlet), Phipps Park (St. Lucie River), Jensen Beach Causeway, Stuart Causeway, Sewall’s Point boat ramp.
Charter Fishing: $500-$800 inshore; $900-$1,400 sailfish offshore; $700-$1,100 nearshore/kingfish.
More Stuart Resources
Stuart Fishing Guide · Stuart Seasonal Calendar · All Stuart reports →
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