Expect good things to happen this month as the water continues to warm, the bait becomes plentiful, and the winds lighten a bit.
Snook are everywhere and they will really turn on this month as the water continues warming. Good tidal grass flats, passes or cuts from upper Tampa Bay all the way to Sarasota will prove productive. Live baiters use caution when chumming with greenbacks… too much and they get full. Full fish do not make happy anglers because they stop eating.
Spotted Sea Trout or Speckled Trout (as old Florida boys) call them should improve especially as bait moves onto the flats. Look for lush grass flats, deep and shallow areas, and plenty of sandy potholes. These potholes should produce some good size fish. Try using small popping corks or Paradise Poppers from Old Bayside with small greenbacks or shrimp. Corks keep the bait flashing as the wind moves it up and down.
Redfish should start settling in for the summer. Check you favorite oyster bars, cuts and broken bottom grass flats on the last of an outgoing tide and the first of an incoming. Do not forget those large schools of mullet as Redfish feed with the mullet. Greenbacks and silver dollar size pinfish work well as live bait.
Cobia will start cursing the sandy flats and markers looking for easy meals and they will eat just about anything tossed at them. If you target them around markers, use heavy line and leader as Murphy's Law certainly prevails, when hooked they always seen to run through the pilings. Remember large Ray's cruising the flats usually have company, Cobia follow along gulping up anything disturbed by the Rays.
Threadfins in Tampa Bay means Spanish Mackerel and they should be in full swing this month. Good catches already reported throughout the lower bayPull any shiny spoon or lure through the water on wire leader and hold on. They like free-lined live Threadfins and larger Greenbacks.
Offshore artificial reefs and hard bottom come alive with fish as the bait moves in. Look for bait and anything that holds it. Keep an eye on natural bottom breaks and rocks as they attract large bait schools, which attract Kings, Amber Jack's, Permit and Grouper. Check these spots often and soon you will be catching fish on every trip. May brings good action shallow water action to depths of 25 to 30 feet.
Kingfish action started later than usual and reports of good catches out about 20 miles. They should move closer as the water temperatures reach the 70's. Egmont Channel and lower Tampa Bay often produce some excellent Kingfish action as the big fish move in after food.
Tarpon are showing around the Skyway with a few on the beach. They should move inside during the summer around deeper flats. Expect plenty of activity by months end and on through the summer. Free-line large Threadfins or Greenbacks and hold on.
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