This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Saturday morning fishing report for May 17, 2025, covering the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana coastal waters. The spring bite is rolling strong and conditions are setting up for a banner day on the water.

Let’s start with the weather. Today’s forecast brings mild to moderate southeast winds and plenty of sun, with temperatures hovering in the upper 70s to mid-80s by afternoon. The humidity is up, so bring your sunscreen and plenty of water. Sunrise hit around 6:05 a.m., and we’re looking at sunset just after 7:50 p.m. That gives us long hours to chase fish across the marshes and out in the Gulf.

Tides are moderate, with an early morning incoming tide peaking mid-morning, then spilling to an outgoing that’ll last most of the afternoon. These moving tides should have predator fish pushing bait up onto the flats and into bayou mouths, perfect for anglers aiming for action during those peak flow windows.

Let’s talk fish. Red snapper season just opened and folks offshore are already reporting solid hauls of keepers. Out of Venice and Fourchon, boats are limiting out with snapper ranging from 8 to 20 pounds, and a few cobia and mangrove snapper mixing into the catches[2][1]. Over on the inside, the speckled trout bite is strong in Cocodrie and Hopedale. Multiple anglers brought in limits of keeper trout this week, especially throwing topwater plugs at first light and switching to soft plastics like Matrix Shad once that sun climbs up[2].

Redfish action is classic Louisiana right now. The flooded marsh grass is holding plenty slot reds. They’re hitting gold spoons and live or cut mullet fished tight to the edge of the grass. Sheepshead and black drum are still showing in good numbers around marsh points and oyster reefs. Folks soaking dead shrimp are making quick work of both.

Best baits and lures today: If you’re heading offshore, squid and Boston mackerel chunks are doing work for snapper. For inshore marshes, try a live shrimp under a popping cork for a swing at trout and reds, or go with a chartreuse or glow soft plastic jig if the water’s a little stained. Early risers are still scoring on topwaters like the Heddon Super Spook, especially around oyster-laden points.

Hot spots to hit: Pointe-aux-Chenes and the oyster reefs near Hopedale are producing steady trout action. Closer to the mouth of the Mississippi, the rigs just off South Pass are loaded with red snapper and mangroves. Don’t overlook Lake Borgne for a mixed bag, especially on that mid-morning tide.

All in all, conditions are above average for this time of year, with plenty of clean blue water pushing close to shore and fish responding well to top baits and lures[5][1]. Get out early, work those moving tides, and you’re bound to find some Gulf Coast glory.

Good luck out there, and tight lines from Artificial Lure![2][1][5]