[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ay Fishing is here and is one of the best months for fishing in the Panhandle. All the fish will have moved inshore and be more predictable. The challenge will be the boat traffic brought in by visitors. Tourism will begin to take off as schools start to let out at the end of the month, and they all will be hitting the waters. Speckled trout, redfish, and flounder will be in the bays in large numbers. The trick to catching them in the shallows will be stealth. Drift or pole in the skinny waters to find them and leave the trolling motors at home. I use my trusty old sinking Mirrolures for success in catching Speckled trout and Red drum. Soft plastics will be your ticket for the flounder. Also, watch out for the grass flats. I understand the closest point between two points is a straight line, but the grass flats are where the fish live and eat and are catchable. St. Joe Bay is full of channels, so follow them and stay in the deep water as far as you can to get to your favorite spots. This time of year the dreaded floating grass on top of the water will affect your catches. Most of this grass comes from people cutting it with their props, not to mention, it spooks the fish and destroys their habitat. So stick to the deep water as much as possible, then use your push pole or drift into the shallows.
Catching in Apalachicola Bay might be tough at the beginning of this month as wind and fresh water from rain and cold fronts will keep it stirred up and muddy. You can find fish on the oyster bars on clear days when you can get them. Soft plastics will be the answer for trout and reds in Apalachicola Bay.
Good Luck out there and let’s go fishing! For charter or guide service, call me at 850-227-6272.