With colder waters, inshore fish are gathering in deeper holes and channels in the back bays: a lot of species are available in a small area. Spotted Sea Trout, Pompano, Redfish, and Large Black Drum are just a few on offer.

The weather can be changeable. This makes flexibility key, with a lot on offer for those in the know. As well as Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, and Trout, warm water species like Snook and Redfish appear. 

The days start to get longer and strong east winds keep the water clean and clear. Tarpon starts to come into the coves, flats, and backcountry and Snook start to migrate to the passes. Trout is consistently good on the grass flats.

Warmer weather starts to settle in, with water temperatures in the mid 70s. But this is a transition month: the weather can be unpredictable. Get it right, and you'll have great fishing for Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, and Shark.

May sees large numbers of Snook congretating to spawn around the shoreline and passes. Tarpon fishing is also very good in the early morning and late evening. The weather stabilizes and is warm. 

This is the peak time to sight fish for Snook, catching and releasing as per regulations. Tarpon fishing is good off the beaches and Sharks are caught in the shallow bays and nearshore. Daytime temperatures are high.

Early morning and late evening fishing remains the best option, with large numbers of Snook still congregating in the passes to spawn and exciting Shark fishing in the bays. 

With temperatures being very high in the daytime, most fishing is limited to early morning and evenings. Offshore, seas are calm and can be a good opportunity to put meat in the freezer: Kingfish, Snappers, and Groupers are biting well.

Hurricanes can potentially disrupt fishing, as the weather starts to transition towards the fall. Nearshore, you will find King and Spanish Mackerel biting well, with large Bull Redfish also on the cards.

Water temperatures cool considerably, making the all-day bite better than it was in previous months. Fish start to move into the back bays and passes, with the Redfish bite being particularly good.

Speckled Trout migrate into the back bays and are caught in good numbers over shallow patchy grass areas. Bluefish and Pompano are often caught in the same spots. King and Spanish Mackerel are caught nearshore.

This is Southwest Florida's busiest time of year, with comfortable temperatures throughout the day and good fishing for Snook, Trout, Redfish, Pompano, and Jacks inshore and Kingfish, Snapper, and Grouper offshore.