What's Biting FLgulf coast · Alligator Point to Tarpon Springs
Big Bend and Nature Coast
Shallow grass flats, oyster bars and spring-fed rivers from St. Marks through Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa. A shallow-water sight fishing and scalloping region.
Today's report (2026-11-11)
Fishing looks strong across the Big Bend and Nature Coast today. The new moon is pushing fish to feed, and the big 4.4 foot tide swing will move bait around the flats at Steinhatchee, Cedar Key, Crystal River, Homosassa, and St. Marks. Redfish, spotted seatrout, and pompano are your top three bets right now. Sheepshead are also active if you want a backup option.
The best solunar windows are from 12:17 to 2:17 PM and 12:17 to 2:17 AM. Tides are high at 1:42 AM and 3:34 PM, with lows at 8:58 AM and 8:44 PM. Expect scattered rain showers overnight and isolated showers before 7 AM, so bring rain gear just in case.
Flounder harvest is closed statewide, so any flounder you catch must be released. Watch for light rain early in the morning.
Keep your retrieve slow in the low light of the new moon to get more bites.
Today's tide
Bite forecast
| Species | Wed, Nov 11 | Thu, Nov 12 | Fri, Nov 13 | Sat, Nov 14 | Sun, Nov 15 | Mon, Nov 16 | Tue, Nov 17 | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish (Red Drum) | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Spotted Seatrout | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Flounder harvest closed | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Pompano | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Sheepshead | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| King Mackerel | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Gag Grouper harvest closed | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Black Drum | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Bluefish | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Snook | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Spanish Mackerel | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
| Mangrove (Gray) Snapper | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | New Moon feeding boost. Strong tide swing 4.4 ft |
Score blends the seasonal pattern for each species with moon, tide swing, wind and weather. 10 is as good as it gets. Days 4 to 7 are an outlook: the moon and tides are certain, the weather is not.
Species in this region
7SnookCentropomus undecimalis
10Redfish (Red Drum)Sciaenops ocellatus
10Spotted SeatroutCynoscion nebulosus
2TarponMegalops atlanticus
10FlounderParalichthys lethostigma
8SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus
5CobiaRachycentron canadum
8King MackerelScomberomorus cavalla
7Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatus
4Red SnapperLutjanus campechanus
7Mangrove (Gray) SnapperLutjanus griseus
8Gag GrouperMycteroperca microlepis
7Red GrouperEpinephelus morio
5Greater AmberjackSeriola dumerili
6TripletailLobotes surinamensis
8Black DrumPogonias cromis
5Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish)Coryphaena hippurus
7HogfishLachnolaimus maximus
6Gray TriggerfishBalistes capriscus
10PompanoTrachinotus carolinus
8BluefishPomatomus saltatrix