Things Are Heating Up Offshore!

It’s been an awesome month on the water, and we’re excited to share all the action from May with you. As the weather warmed up, so did the bite, and our trips have been packed with great catches, sunny skies, and a whole lot of excitement offshore. Whether you’re into bottom fishing, trolling, or just soaking up the salt air with your crew, May has delivered some unforgettable days.

Red Grouper & Bottom Fishing Are On Fire

Let’s start with the stars of our longer trips — red grouper. With the Gulf water warming up, the red grouper bite really kicked into high gear. We’ve been finding them in good numbers on our 8- to 12-hour trips, especially out deep on some ledges and hard bottom. These fish are strong, fun to fight, and make top-tier table fare. If you’re looking for that satisfying tug on the line followed by a heavy thump on deck, this is it.

In addition to red grouper, bottom fishing has been great all across the board. Our guests have been reeling in:

• Mangrove Snapper – Smart, sneaky, and an absolute blast on lighter tackle. Plus, they taste amazing.
• Hogfish – These guys are one of the most sought-after fish in the Gulf. They can be a little tricky to catch, but when they bite, it’s always a treat.
• Grunts (aka Key West snapper) – Super consistent and a great species for everyone, especially beginners and kids.
• Lane Snapper & Vermillion Snapper – These colorful guys have been plentiful and keep the rods bending all day long.

It’s been a solid mix, and we’ve had the coolers filled with a delicious variety of fish. Whether you’re looking to stock the freezer or just enjoy some fresh fillets that night, bottom fishing in May has been the way to go.

Trolling: Kingfish to Cuda Season

Trolling this month has been all about timing. Early in May, we were still chasing down kingfish, and they were fired up. These speedsters gave us some epic runs and made for great action close inshore on our 4-6 hour trips. But as the water continued to heat up, the kings started to taper off, and we shifted gears.

By mid to late May, we’ve had more luck chasing Spanish mackerel and barracuda. The macks have been fast and fun — the kind of bite that keeps everyone smiling and the deck busy. Great for all ages and perfect for folks who want to stay active and moving while fishing, especially if it’s hot or the weather isn’t cooperating.

And let’s talk about those barracuda. They were playing hard to get at the start of the month, but lately, we’ve had some awesome bites. When they hit, they hit hard — and the show they put on once hooked up is always a crowd favorite. Plus, they make for some wild photos if you’re into catching the toothy and intimidating kind.

If you’re into trolling, May has had a little bit of everything, and it’s a fun transition month heading into our summer catches.

Red Snapper Season Is Almost Here – Let’s Go!

We’re counting down the days because June 1st kicks off red snapper season, and we couldn’t be more excited! This year, we will have 107 days to target this beautiful (and delicious) fish — so there’s plenty of opportunity, but don’t wait too long to book.

For the best red snapper action, we highly recommend a 10- to 12-hour trip. That gives us enough time to run out to the deeper spots where the big ones hang out and still have plenty of time to target other species.

We also offer:

• 12-hour overnight trips – perfect for those who want to fish late and early without the heat of mid-day.
• 30-hour offshore adventures – the ultimate deep sea experience for the hardcore angler or bucket-lister.

And while red snapper is the highlight, there’s a whole buffet of fish to chase during these trips. We’ll also be targeting:

• Red Grouper
• Mangrove, Yellowtail, Lane, and Vermillion Snapper
• Flat lines will be out for whatever cruises by — mahi, tuna, cobia, you name it
• And you never know what the Gulf has in store… surprises are part of the fun!

Ready to Get Out There?

May was the perfect warm-up to what’s shaping up to be a red-hot summer offshore. If you’ve been thinking about booking a trip, now’s the time. Whether you’re planning a family outing, team bonding, a guys’ weekend, or chasing a personal best, we’ve got the boat, the crew, and the experience to make it happen.

Give us a shout, lock in your spot, and let’s go fishing with Stella Fishing Co. The fish are biting, the water’s beautiful, and the memories are waiting to be made! Click HERE or give us a call at (727) 496-3474 to book your next adventure!