Spring
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| March | 71° / 52° |
| April | 77° / 58° |
| May | 84° / 65° |
Action: Cobia migrate along the beaches, king mackerel begin showing on nearshore reefs, and Spanish mackerel are thick. Sheepshead bite well on nearshore structure.
Slow: Offshore pelagics are still limited early March.
Tips: Live eels or bucktail jigs for cobia, slow-trolled live bait for kings, and shrimp or fiddler crabs for sheepshead.
Summer
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| June | 89° / 73° |
| July | 91° / 75° |
| August | 90° / 75° |
Action: King mackerel, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, and sharks are all active nearshore. Tarpon migrate through just off the beaches.
Slow: Sheepshead bite slows after spawning season.
Tips: Slow-troll live menhaden for kings, drift sardines or squid for barracuda, and cast large swim baits to rolling tarpon.
Fall
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| September | 87° / 72° |
| October | 80° / 62° |
| November | 72° / 53° |
Action: Fall king mackerel run is excellent, Spanish mackerel remain strong, and bull reds can be found nearshore. Tarpon linger into early fall.
Slow: Pelagics begin to thin by late November.
Tips: Live menhaden or mullet for kings and reds, spoons for Spanish mackerel, and large swim baits for late-season tarpon.
Winter
| Month | Avg. Air Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| December | 65° / 47° |
| January | 62° / 45° |
| February | 65° / 48° |
Action: Sheepshead and black drum are prime targets on nearshore reefs and wrecks. Some snapper and sea bass action available on warmer days.
Slow: Kings and other pelagics are mostly absent.
Tips: Fiddler crabs for sheepshead, cut crab or shrimp for black drum, and squid or cut bait for snapper and sea bass.
