Springtime Bounty on Florida's Gulf Coast: Inshore Pompano, Offshore Grouper, and More

Good morning from the Gulf, this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, May 10, 2025, fishing report for Florida’s Gulf Coast.

We’re heading into the heart of spring and the fishing is heating up alongside the weather. Sunrise was around 6:45 AM today and sunset will be about 8:07 PM. Expect a warm day with lighter winds, calmer seas, and temperatures climbing into the low 80s—perfect conditions for being out on the water. The tidal swing is steady, with an incoming tide through the morning and outgoing in the afternoon, so plan your trips accordingly for optimum activity.

On the water, it’s prime time for both inshore and offshore action. Inshore, anglers are pulling in good numbers of pompano and whiting right off the beaches—especially along stretches like St. George Island and Cape San Blas. Pompano schools are cruising the surf, and they’re biting well on FishGum, Sand Flea Fishbites, pink E-Z Shrimp, or good ol’ fresh shrimp. Cast just past the first sandbar for best results. Later in the day, switch to silver spoons if you spot Spanish mackerel running the beaches[5].

In the bays, trout, redfish, and flounder are all making a strong showing. Key spots like oyster beds, drop-offs, and creek mouths are holding fish. MirrOlure suspending twitchbaits, Gulp baits, and live shrimp have been the big producers. For black drum and steady whiting action, check around the old bridge remnants and bird sanctuary areas[5].

Offshore, the excitement centers on grouper and snapper. Grouper season opened May 1st and reports from the wrecks and nearshore reefs have been excellent. Many are boating legal gags, reds, and the occasional scamp. Bottom fishing with pinfish or squid is your go-to, but heavy jigs tipped with cut bait are also effective[3]. For pelagics, kingfish are thick on the edge, especially in the early morning and late evenings. Blackfin tuna continue to show up, and there are scattered mahi and the odd wahoo passing through. Surface baits, trolling spoons, or live pilchards on wire leaders are working well for these toothy predators[2].

For those looking for a couple of hot spots:
Try the reefs off Mexico Beach for great grouper action and the oyster bars in Apalachicola Bay for limits of trout and redfish. Don’t rule out the surf anywhere near Cape San Blas for pompano, especially if you see birds working or baitfish jumping.

That’s the latest for today. The bite is on, weather’s prime, and the Gulf is calling. Tight lines from Artificial Lure—see y’all on the water!