By Capt. Weston Russell Contributing Writer
If you are an angler that likes variety, you will love the month of May. Offshore of Palm Beach, the spring kings will be plentiful. The waters south of The Breakers Hotel will produce some tournament winning fish. Try slow trolling a live blue runner or goggle eye in depths of 80’ to 120’. Don’t forget to put a stringer hook in its tail. Also, in May, the blackfin tuna bite will be on. These fish are hard fighters and make for great table fare. To catch these fish, you will need a 20 lb. spinner or conventional gear combined with a light fluorocarbon leader. A good tactic for catching tuna is live chumming off the edge of the reef. Try depths from 80’ to 140’. Remember that tuna like low light conditions, so early morning or late evening will be your best bet.
The reef bite will be good this time of the year. The sun sets later, so take advantage of this extra fishing time. You may be rewarded with a nice mutton snapper or flag yellowtail.
For you inshore anglers, look to the beaches. Tarpon will be running in packs of six to ten. Cruise the beaches and look for any black patches that move, these fish will be chasing sardines. Try pitching a live sardine or jumbo shrimp in front of the school and hold on! Remember to point your rod at the fish when it’s jumping.
Captain Weston Russell
561-310-2690 • www.reelintensefishing.com