Gulf of Mexico · named fishing ground
Florida Middle Grounds
A limestone reef system off Florida's Big Bend — gag and red grouper, mangrove snapper and amberjack on the ledges.
What's biting here — right now
King Mackerel100
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F in the prime band (70–84°F prime)
Charted 60 ft suits this species (39–197 ft ideal)
Temperature break nearby (0.9°C across ~15 nm)
Better near structure or edges if you can find it
Slow-troll live bait over reefs, wrecks and bait schools; wire leader.
Cobia100
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F in the prime band (70–84°F prime)
Charted 60 ft suits this species (26–131 ft ideal)
Better near structure or edges if you can find it
Sight-cast jigs or eels to fish on buoys, rays, wrecks and channel markers.
Mangrove Snapper100
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F in the prime band (72–86°F prime)
Charted 60 ft suits this species (10–131 ft ideal)
In NOAA-designated Essential Fish Habitat — expected here even where structure isn't charted
Light fluorocarbon and small live baits around any structure; chum heavily.
Spanish Mackerel80
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F workable (68–82°F prime)
Charted 60 ft suits this species (10–66 ft ideal)
Small shiny spoons cast or trolled fast through surface bait showers.
Tripletail72
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F in the prime band (73–86°F prime)
Charted 60 ft suits this species (7–49 ft ideal)
No charted structure within 250 m — scored cautiously (charts don't mark all hard bottom)
Sight-cast live shrimp to fish laid up under floats and markers.
Red Grouper70
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F workable (66–82°F prime)
Charted 60 ft suits this species (49–295 ft ideal)
In NOAA-designated Essential Fish Habitat — expected here even where structure isn't charted
Squid or pinfish on flat hard-bottom with potholes and ledges.
Permit66
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F in the prime band (75–88°F prime)
Charted 60 ft marginal for this species (2–20 ft ideal)
Better near structure or edges if you can find it
Live crabs sight-cast on flats; over wrecks in summer.
Tarpon55
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F in the prime band (75–88°F prime)
Charted 60 ft marginal for this species (3–39 ft ideal)
Live crabs or mullet drifted through passes and along beaches on moving tide.
Gag Grouper48
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F outside preference (64–81°F prime)
Charted 60 ft suits this species (49–262 ft ideal)
In NOAA-designated Essential Fish Habitat — expected here even where structure isn't charted
Heavy tackle with live bait tight to ledges and swiss-cheese bottom.
Red Snapper40
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F outside preference (64–81°F prime)
Charted 60 ft suits this species (66–328 ft ideal)
In NOAA-designated Essential Fish Habitat — expected here even where structure isn't charted
Cut or live bait just off bottom structure; check season before targeting.
Southern Flounder38
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F workable (63–82°F prime)
Charted 60 ft marginal for this species (3–33 ft ideal)
Better near structure or edges if you can find it
Mud minnows or jigs bounced along channel edges and creek mouths.
Sailfish29
In season (Jul)
SST 84°F in the prime band (75–86°F prime)
Charted 60 ft marginal for this species (98–656 ft ideal)
Temperature break nearby (0.9°C across ~15 nm)
Kite-fish live baits on color changes and showering ballyhoo.
Live habitat-envelope scoring at this exact cell — SST, charted depth, charted structure and seabed, NOAA-designated habitat. The same engine and cards as tapping the spot in Fish mode.
Water temperature — last 10 weeks
2026-05-13 → 2026-07-22 · 77–87°F
Best months here
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Species in season by month for Gulf of Mexico (from the knowledge base). In season now: Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, Swordfish, White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Red Drum (Redfish), Spotted Seatrout, Common Snook, Tarpon.
Other grounds in Gulf of Mexico
The Midnight Lump — Venice
Yellowfin Tuna · Wahoo · Blackfin Tuna
Flower Garden Banks
Red Snapper · Greater Amberjack · Yellowfin Tuna
Reuse welcome with attribution. Weekly regional report: Gulf of Mexico · Feed: RSS · all US grounds: /fishing.