It’s May and that means one thing for me, it’s tarpon time! I’ve been tarpon fishing since the beginning of April and the bite is hot. The biggest issue so far this season has been the constant onslaught of high winds, rough seas and dirty water. The key to my success so far has been to remain flexible. I’ve been fortunate in that my clients trust my experience when it comes to changing the scheduled times of their fishing charters. If the predicted winds are going to be gusting during your desired fishing time, just adjust your trip so that you’re fishing in less winds and more comfortable seas. As a charter captain I sometimes have clients who have traveled long distances just to fish with me and they are on a tight schedule. When that happens it’s important to remain flexible and adjust the locations you’re planning to fish or even the targeted species so that you’re not exposed to the high winds.
On the inshore scene the snook bite has been stellar around mangrove points and oyster beds. Residential docks have been producing red fish and sheep’s head. Trout remain active on the open grass flats in depths from 4-6 feet. When targeting the big 3 (snook,trout,red fish) on the flats I prefer to have a live well full of whitebait (scaled sardines) although shrimp under a popping cork, gold spoons or various soft plastics will work as well.
Looking forward to June the tarpon bite will continue to be hot right up to the full moon. The biomass of tarpon will head offshore to spawn on that full moon but once they return they will be hungry and ready to replace fat reserves burned during the vigor’s of spawning. Snook will head towards the gulf passes and beaches and prepare for their spawn. For the larger breeding snook I prefer to use large hand size pin fish, pig fish or morrja. Red fish will begin to school on the flats more so than now. I like using live whitebait, cut pin fish or lady fish as bait.
I can be reached at 863-224-1418, bwoodard240@gmail.com or www.Captain-Bobby.com