Capt. Travis Freeman
Hello to all my fellow anglers, Capt. Travis here with Steady Fishing Charters. I just want everyone to know that the fishing is starting to get better and better as we are getting some much-needed rain coming into May. Down here in Everglades City, rain is a good thing! The bigger snook are starting to move in and out of the backcountry as they start to spawn before they head offshore to lay their eggs over the summer. This time of the year we seem to catch more snook over the slot sizes because the larger females are moving through the area, and that’s fine with me because snook season is over until the fall. Also, as spring turns into summer the redfish bite has been great. Redfish are pretty predictable down here and I myself like the fall months better for redfish. But I have to say I have been catching a lot of over -lot reds as well, as we come into May.
One fish that isn’t here all year are the big tarpon and I have been catching some monsters! The largest tarpon for 2021 was 128 pounds. An awesome client/friend of mine and I caught this giant on a live mullet about 10” long. I just simply free lined the fish out about 30 yards and let the bait do the rest. The mighty king tarpon are just passing through as they head toward the Keys for the summer. Also, we always have a pretty strong seatrout bite.
One thing about May is nice calm weather. So, I am able to get just a few miles offshore and catch some nice red grouper and gag grouper. They really are starting to bite down here too. As far as bait goes, this time of year I’m using live shrimp and or live white bait, such as pilchards, finiger mullet, thread fin and or green backs. Fresh cut mullet or lady fish can and does work very well for most of these fish I’m covering today. Small rubber jerk baits or gigs work great if you like to throw artificial. Again, you can’t beat a popping cork and a live shrimp or live white bait, in my opinion. So, give us a call and book your fishing or shelling trip now, and let’s catch your bucket list fish or find that bucket list sea shell you’ve always adored. God bless!
Steady Fishing Charters
239-431-1261
Steadyfishingcharters.com
Steadyfishing@yahoo.com
Facebook: @steadyfishing