Magnificent May Angling in Back Bay Biloxi
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f all goes according to plan May will be one of the best months to fish so far this season. April was a very cool and wet month for us here in south Mississippi, and that resulted in low water temps, as well as extremely fresh and turbid waters. Not the best of condition for consistently catching fish! However, May should deliver some spectacular angling along with clear and warming waters. Speckle trout anglers will be locating plenty of hefty trout wade fishing around the barriers islands, as well as wade fishermen on the coastâs front beaches. Of course most prominent oyster reefs in the Mississippi Sound, and the infamous Katrina reef will produce fine speckled trout too. Live shrimp and live croakers either free-lined or fished under a popping cork will be deadly on the spotted ones. Of course, soft-plastics like Matrix Shad, Egret Baits VuDu Shrimp, Saltwater Assassins, Cocahoes, D.O.A. Shrimp, and scented Gulp baits will catch their share of fish too.
If it looks favorable for a top-water bite toss Heddon Spook Jrâs with the walk-the-dog action, and itâs always wise to fish Model 52M MirrOlures for bigger trout. As for the specks smaller cousin the san sea trout aka âwhite troutâ, these smaller scrappers should be plentiful on most of the inshore reefs all along the Magnolia Stateâs coastline. Scaled down bottom rigs sweetened with cut squid or croaker is deadly on these tasty bottom dwellers. A 1/0 hook such as a Gamakatsu Octopus hook and a 1-ounce weight is an ideal set up. These trout will also eat up soft-plastics when the bite gets hot, and of course a live shrimp suspended under an Odd-Ball Popping Cork fished over shallow reefs will score big on many occasions.
Flounders should be running good in May too, and a live bull minnow fished slowly over the bottom on a Carolina-rig will deliver many âflatties” to the ice chest. Jigs sweetened with a piece of cut mullet or bonito belly are great flounder baits when live ones arenât available. Donât be too quick on the hook set when flounder fishing because the first couple of bumps are the flatfish grabbing hold to and killing the bait.
Redfish will be prowling structure on the lower bays and front beaches, and a hungry redfish will eat just about anything that passes it nose. Out at the barrier island all sorts of fish may be on fire from day to day. Big speckled trout on the isleâs south side grass flats, and the main gullies on the isleâs surf side will be holding plenty of these gamesters. Of course redfish big and small will be lurking in those offshore waters, and a Mr. Champ spoon or Cast Master spoon are deadly fake baits.
Look for Spanish mackerel to be showing up in good numbers, and trolling small Clark Spoons will be an easy way to catch these speedsters. On the isleâs surf sides those delicious Florida pompano and southern kingfish aka âwhitingâ will be showing up too. Scaled down bottom rigs and a small piece of fresh dead shrimp are excellent ways to take these surf dwellers.
Whiting really like cut mullet too. As for the bigger species cobia and sharks will be lurking around the barrier isles looking for a lively offering, and you might be greeted with a big jack crevalle in those same waters. And last but not least the amazing and delicious tripletail aka âblackfishâ will be showing up in the Mississippi Sound. Look for these mysterious fish lurking under or around any sort of structure. These dark-hued fish will eat a variety of baits, but a live shrimp carefully passed in front of a tripletail will generally generate a swift bite. Aboard TEAM BRODIE CHARTERS weâll be chasing all of these species at one time or another. Isnât it great to have so many May options here in south Mississippi? Yes it isâŚletâs fish!