PELAGICS, OR NOT?

MAYS BEST BET With the less then normal weather we had in April, our pelagics have not yet showed up in full force. But will. A few reports of Cobes, and Macks, are being caught, as well as Kings, but nothing yet like they should. And what I mean by less than normal weather, is the continuous cool fronts that came through one behind the other. We should have had a little more rain, and mild temperatures of Spring for April, (not mid 50’s 2 weeks ago), but should see May starting to heat up with the warm patterns setting in. But just as well, because May should be outstanding fishing. It MAY just hit us all at once. In case some don’t know, or aren’t familiar with pelagics, we’ll discuss for a second. Pelagics are nothing more than species of fish that migrate with the seasons. Moving south in the fall and north in the spring. They move up and down the coast with the changing of the seasons, usually in big schools, for protection from predators,as well as migration and feeding purposes. Following huge schools of bait fish. And this allows them to remain in the environmental conditions they prefer. Some of, but not including all of the pelagics we are talking about are, spanish mackerel, king mackerel, cero mackerel, cobia, wahoo, tarpon, and bluefish. The weather is changing, the conditions are getting favorable, and the pelagics will be here, go through, and be gone before ya know. So get out when the getting is good and go after some of these hard fighting and fine eating fish.

Tactics for most of these mentioned could well take 3 plus articles. If you want or need some tips or techniques, please feel free to call or e-mail me anytime, and I’ll be happy to share. For the bite report: Bass reports will be coming in pretty strong. With most area lakes giving up not only numbers, but decent sizes. Use white spinner baits, and flukes for best luck. Panfish such as bluegills are starting to feed up and be cooperative using beetle spins and wigglers. The weather again is the factor. This heating transition gets the panfish active. On the salty pond side: Trout will be still trying to figure out what the weather is going to do and stay. Find them in 6’ of water one day, 3’ the next. Staying on this warm trend will move them to their flats residents. Look for what I call the potholes, or broken spotty bottom over grass flats for best luck. Better reports lately have been coming in from Crystal River. The spoil Banks, and around Gomez, have seen catches of 45 fish trips.(Trout). Most are what I call schoolies, with a few reaching 18”. Seems when you find a school like these they stay around 14”, to 14 ½ “, to 14 ¾. You know what I mean. Good fun, though. Just be careful when catching and/or releasing. Or leave the little schoolies all together. Nothing worse than one that is gut shot, (deep hooked), and you have to release it. Bigger ones traditionally tend to be loners, or the small ones beat them to the bait. Look for the bigger loners in shallower water around some of the same places as Reds. Use “Assassins” 5” “jerk bait” in “white” or “new penny”under a Cajun Thunder. We’ve been having some good success with these colors lately. Reds will be caught in the cuts and passes between islands,false channels, and on the points of islands. We’ve been using the old spoons in ¼ oz. with good results. I do believe there is a time when, and to use, live bait. Especially in the dead of winter, or the dog days of summer, when the fish may not be as aggressive, but still have to eat. However, I’m big on artificials. Liking to use them majority of the time. To me, I’ve found artificials to be more effective because you can quickly locate fish by covering more water. And be a lot more versatile and productive. And it’s more of a challenge in fooling the fish with something made from hair, feathers, or plastic. If you’re not into artificials though, try using live pinfish, live shrimp, or fresh cut mullet, under a Cajun Thunder to keep it off the bottom and from getting snagged up. Anchor in between a cut, or up from appoint, and let your offering float and drift by with the current to your fish holding area. Check your tides, and feeding times. Be safe, and good fishing.
Submitted By: Capt. Rick Burns
Reel Burns Charters
Homosassafishingguide.com
352-201-6111