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Inshore migration calendar

Central Florida East Coast migration calendar.

South AtlanticFlorida6 species tracked

The Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon are sight-fishing destinations of national reputation — clear shallow water, oversize redfish, and trophy speckled trout in the same flat. Snook reach the northern edge of their range here.

Verify with current conditions

Migration timing varies year over year with water temperature, weather, and bait movement. Cross-reference with NOAA marine forecast and a local source before planning a trip.

What's running now — May

6 active species

Auto-updated based on the current month. The planning section that matters for trips this week.

Central Florida East Coast hotspots

Productive locations
  • Mosquito Lagoon
  • Banana River
  • Sebastian Inlet
  • Indian River Lagoon flats
Active this month
  • SnookPeak
  • TarponPeak
  • Red DrumGood
  • Speckled TroutGood
  • Black DrumFair
  • Florida PompanoFair

All species — sorted by current month

  • SnookCentropomus undecimalis
    Peak
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Wintering fish in deep backwater holes; cold-front sensitive. Typical water temp: 64–70°FFeb — Good Same — Atlantic season closure typically Dec-Feb. Typical water temp: 66–72°FMar — Good Pre-spawn movement to passes and inlets. Typical water temp: 70–76°FApr — Peak Spring spawn at inlets and passes; fish active. Typical water temp: 74–80°FMay — Peak Same — peak inlet snook fishing. Typical water temp: 78–82°FJun — Good Spawn winding down; fish back in mangroves. Typical water temp: 82–86°FJul — Good Summer mangrove and bridge pattern. Typical water temp: 84–88°FAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FSep — Good Fall mullet runs active. Typical water temp: 80–84°FOct — Peak Mullet run — peak snook feeding on the beach. Typical water temp: 76–82°FNov — Good Mullet run continuing. Typical water temp: 70–76°FDec — Fair Cold fronts shutting down bite. Typical water temp: 64–70°F
    Best months: April · May · October

    Same — peak inlet snook fishing.

    Top lures: Live pilchards (whitebait), Live mullet, Topwater plugs
    Full Snook calendar for Central Florida East Coast
  • TarponMegalops atlanticus
    Peak
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Fair Wintering schools in southern FL passes and bridges. Typical water temp: 64–70°FFeb — Good Pre-migration — fish staging. Typical water temp: 66–72°FMar — Peak Spring tarpon migration begins — palolo worm hatch on lower keys. Typical water temp: 72–78°FApr — Peak Peak SE FL tarpon — fish moving through. Typical water temp: 76–82°FMay — Peak Same — fish along the beaches. Typical water temp: 78–84°FJun — Good Resident summer fish in passes and backcountry. Typical water temp: 82–86°FJul — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FSep — Good Fall migration south building. Typical water temp: 80–84°FOct — Good Fish moving south. Typical water temp: 76–82°FNov — Fair Last of fall migration. Typical water temp: 70–76°FDec — Fair Wintering schools forming. Typical water temp: 64–70°F
    Best months: March · April · May

    Same — fish along the beaches.

    Top lures: Live threadfin herring, Live mullet, Crab patterns (palolo hatch)
    Full Tarpon calendar for Central Florida East Coast
  • Red DrumSciaenops ocellatus
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Year-round resident fish — winter schooling on flats. Typical water temp: 64–70°FFeb — Good Same. Typical water temp: 66–72°FMar — Good Spring flats fishing. Typical water temp: 70–76°FApr — Good Strong sight-fishing on tailing reds. Typical water temp: 74–80°FMay — Good Same. Typical water temp: 78–82°FJun — Good Summer flats and mangrove pattern. Typical water temp: 82–86°FJul — Good Hot water — fish in deeper edges or shaded structure. Typical water temp: 84–88°FAug — Good Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FSep — Good Cooler nights bring fish back to flats. Typical water temp: 80–84°FOct — Good Strong fall fishing. Typical water temp: 74–80°FNov — Good Cooling water concentrates fish. Typical water temp: 70–76°FDec — Good Winter resident pattern. Typical water temp: 66–72°F
    Best months: No peak month identified

    Same.

    Top lures: Live mullet under popping cork, Cut mullet on bottom, Gold spoons
    Full Red Drum calendar for Central Florida East Coast
  • Speckled TroutCynoscion nebulosus
    Good
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Year-round resident; cool water concentrates fish. Typical water temp: 62–68°FFeb — Good Same. Typical water temp: 64–70°FMar — Good Spring fishing strong. Typical water temp: 70–76°FApr — Good Spring/early summer pattern. Typical water temp: 74–80°FMay — Good Strong summer fishing. Typical water temp: 78–84°FJun — Good Summer pattern. Typical water temp: 82–86°FJul — Fair Hot water — fish deeper and earlier. Typical water temp: 84–88°FAug — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 84–88°FSep — Good Cooler nights bring fish back to flats. Typical water temp: 82–86°FOct — Good Strong fall fishing. Typical water temp: 76–82°FNov — Good Same. Typical water temp: 70–76°FDec — Good Winter resident pattern. Typical water temp: 64–70°F
    Best months: No peak month identified

    Strong summer fishing.

    Top lures: Soft plastic paddletails on jigheads, MirrOlure suspending plugs, Live shrimp under popping cork
    Full Speckled Trout calendar for Central Florida East Coast
  • Black DrumPogonias cromis
    Fair
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Year-round resident. Typical water temp: 64–70°FFeb — Good Same. Typical water temp: 66–72°FMar — Good Spring spawn. Typical water temp: 70–76°FApr — Good Same. Typical water temp: 74–80°FMay — Fair Summer pattern. Typical water temp: 78–82°FJun — Fair Resident fish on flats and channels. Typical water temp: 80–84°FJul — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FAug — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FSep — Fair Same. Typical water temp: 80–84°FOct — Good Fall feeding. Typical water temp: 76–82°FNov — Good Same. Typical water temp: 70–76°FDec — Good Wintering pattern. Typical water temp: 64–70°F
    Best months: No peak month identified

    Summer pattern.

    Top lures: Whole blue crab on bottom, Live shrimp, Cut clam
    Full Black Drum calendar for Central Florida East Coast
  • Florida PompanoTrachinotus carolinus
    Fair
    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan — Good Wintering fish on SE FL beaches. Typical water temp: 64–70°FFeb — Good Same. Typical water temp: 66–72°FMar — Peak Spring run building north; peak surf fishing. Typical water temp: 70–76°FApr — Good Most fish moving north. Typical water temp: 72–78°FMay — Fair Late spring stragglers. Typical water temp: 76–80°FJun — Possible Few fish present. Typical water temp: 80–84°FJul — Possible Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FAug — Possible Same. Typical water temp: 82–86°FSep — Fair Earliest fall fish arriving. Typical water temp: 80–84°FOct — Good Fall pompano on beaches. Typical water temp: 74–80°FNov — Peak Peak fall pompano migration. Typical water temp: 68–74°FDec — Good Winter pattern. Typical water temp: 64–70°F
    Best months: March · November

    Late spring stragglers.

    Top lures: Sand fleas, Fresh shrimp, Fishbites pompano formula
    Full Florida Pompano calendar for Central Florida East Coast

Month-by-month — top 5 species

Quick reference for trip planning across the year. Each cell shows the typical migration status for that month.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Snook
Red Drum
Tarpon
Speckled Trout
Florida Pompano
PeakGoodFairPossibleAbsent

Regional notes — top species

Snook in Central Florida East Coast

Year-round on the SE FL coast but cold-front sensitive. Spring spawn at inlets and passes April–June; mullet run blitzes October–November.

Tarpon in Central Florida East Coast

Wintering schools in southern FL passes and bridges December–March; spring migration north begins March (palolo worm hatch on the lower Keys). Resident summer fish in passes and backcountry. Fall departure south September–October.

Red Drum in Central Florida East Coast

Year-round resident with strong seasonal movement between flats, mangroves, and inlets. Cooler water concentrates fish on flats; hot water pushes them to deeper and shaded structure.

Marine forecast

NOAA Zone AMZ550

Wind, swell, and tide-stage forecasts that drive whether fish are feeding inshore or holding offshore.

State agencies

Bag limits, slot rules, and seasonal closures live with the agencies — verify before keeping fish.

Real-time migration alerts for Central Florida East Coast.

Bield: Fish ties NOAA buoy data, water temperature readings, and your saved species list together — and alerts you when arrivals reach your home water.

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Nearby regions
South Carolina Coast →Georgia Coast →Northeast Florida →Southeast Florida →All regions →