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May Fishing Report 2026 – King mackerel have made a strong push into Tampa Bay, with consistent reports of fish being caught off the north side of the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier. This has created an incredible opportunity for land-based anglers to hook into quality kings in the 30 to 50 pound class. The most productive approach right now has been freelining live baits such as threadfin herring, blue runners, and even smaller mackerel. When the bait schools are thick, it does not take long for these fish to move in and start feeding aggressively, especially during moving tides.
Tarpon are also starting to show in increasing numbers as they migrate through the bay toward spawning grounds. Each day, more fish are being spotted rolling and pushing bait, and this bite is only going to improve as we move deeper into the season. Anglers should make sure their gear is up to the task. These fish are powerful, unpredictable, and known for explosive jumps. Large spinning setups paired with threadfin herring are producing well right now, at least until the crab passes become more available.
Inshore fishing continues to be strong with redfish and snook actively feeding. Pilchards and a variety of artificial lures are producing steady action, while larger fish are favoring live and cut baits. Spanish mackerel are stacked on just about every piece of structure holding bait, providing fast-paced action. Mangrove snappers have also shown up in big numbers around bridges and nearby reef structures. The key to success with snapper right now is downsizing your tackle and presenting baits naturally. These fish have excellent eyesight and can be extremely finicky, so lighter leaders and smaller hooks will significantly increase your hookup ratio.
Flounder have also been fairly easy to catch. I like to find areas of sand bottom near structure. Flounders are much more aggressive than people might think. The ticket is to make sure you are fishing closer to the bottom, but don’t be surprised if flounder come up in the water column to grab a vulnerable baitfish.
If you want to take the guesswork out of the equation, you can book a Tampa Bay fishing trip, and I can show you how to fish and catch each of these species. I look forward to getting you out on Tampa Bay!
