Fishing Reports: Spring 2026
Bonita Springs to Marco Island
By Captain Barry Cuda
Well, it’s finally here! The extreme cold weather has hit. Also extreme low tides. A great time to get out (if you even can) and check out the bottom features out there in the backwater.
You can spot the little cuts, holes, dropoffs, and secret spots that are hidden at higher tides.
Shallow water, especially with our super low winter tides right now, takes on the temperature of the atmosphere very quickly, so we have a problem with fish not tolerating the extreme cold temperatures. Under 55° snook began to float up, stunned and dying. Other species have problems as well.
When the temperature changes gradually, the fish move to safer waters. But fast temperature changes catch them off guard and kill many.
If there’s a bright spot it is that the survivors will create a more hardy species.
When the temperatures change too quickly it’s a problem for them to move to deeper water.
(We need to be aware that taking an out-of-slot or out-of-season fish is still against the rules, no matter if it was dying or not.)
Early in the day look for fish over the dark bottom, where the water warms up more quickly.
Creeks and small bays are often warmer too and will have big snook taking refuge there.
With the cold temperatures, the fish bite is slower. Cut bait (ladyfish or mullet) is great now. Fish it with a bit of patience.
Artificials need to be worked slowly too. Larger lures will be less effective than smaller ones. “Matching the hatch” means imitating smaller bait this time of year.
The big sheepshead are loving it though. Small, stout hooks with a split shot or two will do the trick.
You will find them around oyster bars and especially against bridge pilings and dock posts.
You can chum them by breaking off some barnacles and then fish with small pieces of shrimp.
This is also the time of year for big gator trout. They tend to be over the grass flats and traveling solo.
Their smaller brethren, legal size trout, will usually be in schools and accompanied by silver trout, sugar trout, and ladyfish. It’s great for fishing with a popping cork and a live shrimp. Three feet of fluoro leader and a 2/0 or 3/0 circle hook are perfect.
Take care,
Capt. Barry
To book with Capt. Barry, 239-860-7227 Captbarrycudacharters@gmail.com
Tampa to St Petersburg
By Captain Dylan Hubbard
As spring continues to settle in, fishing around Johns Pass, Tampa Bay, and the surrounding nearshore and offshore waters is heating up across the board, offering anglers a wide mix of inshore favorites, reef species, and early-season pelagics.
Inshore, snook are typically on the move, transitioning from the back bays toward mangrove shorelines, creek mouths, and points where they can ambush bait. Trout action is strong particularly along beaches and passes, where they especially like feeding on whitebait and shrimp. Redfish often hold steady on the flats, oyster bars, and mangrove edges, though they can be selective — moving water and active mullet schools are key indicators. Sheepshead like to bite well around bridges, docks, and jetties, while black drum are cruising flats and bridge pilings and responding well to shrimp and crab baits. Spanish mackerel are often crashing bait pods along the beaches and into the passes, making fast-moving lures a must. Flounder remain hit-or-miss but can still be found near sandy bottom and structure.
Nearshore fishing continues to produce a diverse bite. Lane snapper eagerly like to take squid and shrimp. Mangrove snapper are showing up, while red grouper action is picking up in deeper nearshore waters. Spanish mackerel remain active just off the beach, and kingfish are beginning to make more frequent appearances as the season approaches.
Offshore, the reopening of deepwater zones has unlocked some of the most productive fishing of the year. Red grouper are coming up strong on hard bottom and ledges, joined by cooperative mangrove and yellowtail snapper. Deeper drops are producing porgies, vermillion snapper, and almacos. Pelagic action is also improving, with kingfish, blackfin tuna, and occasional wahoo possible as water temperatures rise.
Anglers are reminded to fish responsibly, especially around seabirds. If a bird becomes hooked or entangled, reel it in carefully and remove the hook — never cut the line, as discarded fishing line is an increasing concern and could lead to access restrictions.
Sarasota to Englewood Fishing Report
Photos courtesy of Matt Davie.
Calling all anglers! Man what a chilly winter we’ve had. Strictly speaking about the water temps and snow flurries in southwest Florida, the snook population may have been a little beat up from the temps. Only time will tell.
I expect a little slower start to our spring runs — that being said, we will all watch the bait. I will continue to buy shrimp early on. Snook may be a little slow to come out of their winter hiding, but it doesn't mean they won't be fired up to eat. Lures, shrimp, pins, sardines, all will be on the table.
Let's go to redfish. They will be in their usual haunts, and still will see some schools roaming on the beach fronts, reefs, and shallows. Trout are next on our list. Same as before, shallow and deep. Deep grass, mullet schools, and believe it or not around some of the nearest reefs. The flounder bite has been very, very consistent, I'm sure I don't have to tell you. Sand patches around structures. Sheepshead and black drum are still schooled up coming off their spawn — hence why I'm still buying shrimp.
Let's hit the nearshore. I watched the North Florida report before the cold and the cobia were on the move. So now it may be our turn when they show up. King Mackerel will be around following the bait. It could be late this year. We just have to see how the water temps flow. Snapper and Hogs should also be on the breaks, small rock piles, and some reefs. Again why I'm still buying shrimp.
Is it tarpon time yet? Be sure if you need to search have about 2 to 3 go-to lures. My top 3 - gulp shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig head; Heddon Super spook Jr; or Tsunami pre rigged weighted paddle tail rubber swim bait. That last one was long but I wanted to make sure you all got it. Change your color if you need to; I can use all 3 nearshore and inshore.
Now that doesn't mean that I won't use a Mirrolure, 7MR, Yo-Zuri's Crystal Minnow, X-Rap, live target, etc. My top 3 are widely used. Use what works best for you consistently. Maybe it's a spoon, maybe it's a D.O.A. Remember some catch the fisherman more than fish.
Have a great Spring, Captain Matt Davie
To book with Capt. Matt, 941-232-9351, www.inshoreaddict.com
Charlotte Harbor to Fort Myers
By Robert Lugiewicz
Welcome to spring in Florida. At this point, we should have the coldest water temperatures of the year behind us and we're starting to warm up. However, fronts can still blast through and leave us shivering, so keep that hoodie handy.
Sheepshead are pretty much at their peak, with lots of them all along the ICW corridor. Focus on docks (wood, preferably) and there should also be some on the nearshore reefs. Pompano should be starting to show up pretty good, mostly on the beaches but also in the passes and randomly up in the Harbor.
Snook will be all over all up over in up the in rivers and canals. Spring usually brings clear water, and this year's drought will make it even clearer. Fluorocarbon leader and long casts will be mandatory for the snook — in fact, for any type of flats fishing.
Water temperatures are still cool, so any time you're inshore plan to fish low and slow, with baits dragged or slow-hopped across the bottom. Shrimp are still king, although whitebait should be starting to show up again. Scented soft plastics are also a great choice.
April should get some tarpon activity going in the rivers. By the end of the month, we might see a few early tarpon starting to show up along the beaches in the passes. It's worth at least paying attention and having rods ready.
King mackerel might be starting to show up already, if it's warm enough. If not, April should bring them by. Spanish macks are also available and might be anywhere there's bait to feed them.
It's also your last chance to mark some of your spots for early summer structure fishing — remember, stone crab pots are usually around rocky bottom. Cobia may also be around the crab floats, or any nearshore structure.
On the reefs, lane snapper and porgies should be good 10 to 20 miles out. To realistically target legal-sized red grouper, plan to fish in 100-plus feet of water. If you head out to those depths, try tossing a high-speed trolling lure out as you move from one spot to another. March may be our best month for wahoo fishing.
Early spring offers us some fantastic opportunities, so be sure to make some time to get out and explore them.
Tarpon Springs to Inglis
February and March are a really good time of year for fishing offshore. In the 15- to 30-mile range we have tons of sheepshead spawning on the reefs, as well as a good mangrove snapper and hogfish bite in the same areas. All good eating species and close to home! Now, pushing further offshore, we have been seeing good numbers of big red groupers, lane snapper, big mangrove snapper, and some flag yellowtail snapper as well!
Spring is headed our way and the fishing will only continue to get hotter. Here at Thunder Fishing Co. we will always put in the hours and work to make sure that your rods stay bent and lines are tight. Inshore fishing is also doing well right now for snook, redfish, and trout. But you need to have a shallow draft boat to push your way into the backcountry. These fish have pushed further and further back due to all of the really cold weather we have had.
Remember to check your tide charts before a day of inshore exploration, you could be stuck for hours! Stay safe and tight lines.
Thank you,
Capt Chaz
352-597-3900
Fort Myers Photo by Taryn Manning on Unsplash. St Petersburg Photo by Aarit Rao on Unsplash.