Hubbard’s Marina Fishing Report 5-2-26

Inshore fishing around Tampa Bay, Johns Pass, Madeira Beach, and the surrounding beaches is really starting to feel like a springtime mixed bag with a little bit of everything happening at once. We still have plenty of cooler season targets around, but we are also seeing more warm weather movement with snook, mackerel, sharks, and soon more tarpon activity. This is one of those fun transition periods when anglers can realistically target several different species in the same general area if they pay attention to tides, bait, structure, and water temperature. 

Snook are becoming a much bigger part of the inshore picture around johns pass. These fish are starting to move more consistently toward the passes, beaches, bridge lines, and outer bay areas as water temperatures rise and bait becomes more active. You will still find fish in the back bay and upper bay areas, especially after a front or during cooler mornings, but the overall trend is outward movement. Look for snook around points, cuts, bridge shadow lines, dock corners, mangrove edges, and current seams where bait is being pushed naturally. Live whitebait, threadfins, small pinfish, and shrimp can all work well, while soft plastics, jerkbaits, and paddletails are great artificial choices when you want to cover water. The key is to fish the ambush lanes, not just the structure itself. Watch how the current moves past a point or piling and present your bait so it looks like an easy meal being swept through the strike zone. 

Trout action remains solid around the area, and we are still seeing fish on the flats, around potholes, along deeper grass edges, and around mangrove shorelines. The bigger trout often prefer areas where they can sit just off the current and ambush smaller baitfish or shrimp as they move past. Early morning and late afternoon can be especially productive, and around the full moon the night bite around dock lights and bridge lights can be very strong if bait is present. Live shrimp under a popping cork, free-lined shrimp, soft plastic paddletails, shrimp imitations, and suspending twitchbaits can all produce. In clear water, lighter leaders and more natural colors can make a big difference. In dirty or stirred-up water behind the front, a little more vibration, darker profile, or scented bait can help fish find your offering. 

Redfish are still showing well around flats, mangrove islands, oyster bars, and dock lines. Many of these fish are still schooled up in pockets, but they can move quickly with tide and pressure changes. The best way to find redfish is still to find life first. Look for mullet schools, nervous bait, birds working shallow edges, small wakes along the mangroves, or pushes on the flats. When the water is moving well, redfish will often feed more actively along oyster bar edges, mangrove points, and potholes. When the tide slows, they may settle into deeper edges or shady dock lines. Cut bait is an excellent option when fish are holding in one place or feeding by scent, while live shrimp, pinfish, and paddletails are great when the fish are more active. 

Sheepshead are still around in good numbers and remain one of the most dependable inshore targets. Docks, piers, bridges, jetties, rock piles, seawalls, and any hard structure with barnacle or oyster growth can hold fish. Small pieces of shrimp, fiddler crabs, oyster, clam, or tiny crab pieces are top baits. Keep your tackle light enough to feel the bite but strong enough to pull fish away from structure. A small sharp hook, minimal weight, and a short leader can work very well. The bite is often just a light tap or slight pressure, so avoid swinging too hard too early. Let the fish load up and then lift with steady pressure. 

Black drum are also part of the inshore mix, especially around bridges, deeper docks, passes, and oyster areas. Larger drum often show near bridge structure and deeper channels, while smaller to mid-size drum can roam flats and oyster bars. Shrimp and crab are the go-to baits. If you are fishing around bridges, use enough weight to hold bottom and keep your bait close to structure. If you are fishing the flats, lighter tackle and a more natural presentation usually work better. Black drum are not always the flashiest fish, but they can be dependable and a lot of fun when other species get finicky. 

Mackerel are active inshore as well, especially around deeper bridges, the mouth of the bay, passes, jetties, and areas where bait is concentrated. Spanish mackerel are fast, aggressive, and a great sign that spring patterns are settling in. Look for birds dipping, bait spraying, or surface flashes. Fast-moving flashy lures like spoons, small plugs, Gotcha-style lures, and small jigs work well. If using live bait, a long-shank hook or light wire can help with cutoffs, but if the fish are leader shy, you may need to go back to fluorocarbon and accept a few lost rigs to get more bites. 

Shark activity is increasing as the water warms, and that will continue through spring and into summer. Bonnetheads, blacktips, and other sharks can be found around the beaches, passes, flats, and deeper channels. Fresh cut bait, ladyfish, mullet, threadfin, or shrimp can all produce depending on the target. Sharks are a great way to add excitement to an inshore trip, but be mindful of tackle, handling, and release. Use appropriate leader, keep the fight efficient, and release them carefully.