[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ay is the time of year when the inshore fishing comes alive on the shallow water flats and around the Fort Pierce Inlet. On the flats, at places like Bear Point, Queen’s Cove and Harbor Branch, look for plenty of trout taking top water baits like a Zara Spook or a Chug Bug from first light until about 8 a.m., then switch to a live bait like a shrimp, pigfish or a pilchard and fish it under a popping cork. This technique should produce some big gator trout. The redfish bite should be good when fishing the mangroves around Jack Island, Snapper Cut or the islands to the north of the North Bridge. A live shrimp fished under a cork will do just fine or try a piece of cut bait like a ladyfish or a crab and fish them on a 2/0 hook, small lead and a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader. The snook action should still be good in the Fort Pierce Inlet on the tide changes. Try a live bait fished on a 5/0 hook and plenty of lead to hold the bottom – probably six- to eight-ounce. Try places like Judy Rock, or the cleaning tables will be some of the better spots. Remember that snook season closes May 31. Along the channel edges look for the snapper bite to improve around the full moon. A live shrimp or a mojarra are going to be the best baits to use. Try a .25-ounce jig head with a 2/0 or 3/0 hook and a fluorocarbon leader. While fishing in this area you may even scare up a tripletail.
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