05/11/2026
Alex's Fishing Report:
We are finally starting to find our groove here on the island and its surrounding waters. The beaches are seeing snook throughout the day with fish cruising tight to the shoreline and pushing bait. There is also a notable uptick in darker fish (those migrating in from the backcountry) showing up. On a cautionary note, perennial observers think they are seeing fewer fish than they have in the past - feeding our ongoing concerns about the health of the inshore fishery.
In addition to snook, the beach is yielding spotted sea trout, ladyfish, jacks, and pompano, among
One of the more interesting aspects right now is the lack of defined structure along the beach. While that can make things feel a little less predictable it is has been encouraging a different approach. Instead of picking apart specific spots, the better move has been to stay mobile, cover water, and keep your eyes up and look for cruising fish. The beach is changing daily, and new subtle features are starting to form so staying adaptable has been key.
There have also been a few bull redfish mixed in along the bars. They are not overly abundant but if you are paying attention, you might catch a glimpse of a silver tail or a slow moving fish in the trough and it is always worth taking a shot.
Tarpon fishing continues to be a highlight in this part of the year. The bay is holding good numbers of fish with consistent rolling activity, and more strings are beginning to push off the beach. Most have been out of range, but hopefully some will be close enough for legitimate shots at a hook up from the beach.
With water clarity remaining outstanding on most days, everything has lined up well. It is a great time to be out there, especially for anglers who enjoy covering ground, spotting fish, and making it happen on the fly.
Tight lines everybody!