Most of the anglers on the East Coast, from Key West to North Carolina, can’t wait for May 1st, because it is opening day of grouper season. Grouper have had four months of relief from commercial and recreational harvest, and they are ever present on the local reefs, both artificial and natural, off the coast of Stuart.
Fishing for gag grouper through catch and release has been great, and we have been seeing an abundance of aggressive fish eating baits as high as 50 feet off the bottom. This fishery should remain strong through May and June, and will taper off for the summer, then get busy again in the early winter. Your best bet for gags is to fish live bait on or near the bottom. Use heavy leader, like 80 to 125 pound test, to help prevent break-offs. Only use as much lead as you need to hold the bottom effectively, and crank like mad when you get a bite. Other species of grouper we will be catching will be red, black, and scamp grouper. My preferred method for these fish is a chicken rig with whole squid or cut bait.
Dolphin fishing shall peak in May and good fishing should roll into June. Most fish caught are going to average around 15 pounds, with many fish in excess of 20 to 30 pounds. Try trolling ballyhoo on longshanked hooks with 60 to 80 pound mono, and try blue/white Sea Witches or Little Hooker Chuggers in front of your ballyhoo for best results. Best depths typically are going to be between 75 to 300 feet of water.
Blackfin tuna make a strong showing during the months of April and May off the coast of Stuart; most of the fish are under 10 pounds, but always tasty. While fishing for blackfin tuna I would recommend fishing a big bait on a 50 pound outfit. There is no better time to catch a marlin out of Stuart than April, May and June; small blue marlin and white marlin will be feeding on the biomass of bait, blackfin tuna and dolphin that make their annual spring migration through the Stuart area.
May is one of the best months to fish out of Stuart; not only to fill your cooler with meat fish, but for the opportunity to release some billfish.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Patrick Price
Day Maker Charters
Phone: (772) 405-0091
Email: sailfishpat@comcast.net
Website: www.daymakerfishing.com
Where Days are Made!
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