The Heat is finally here. As we push into May, we should leave our cold fronts and cooler temps behind us but don’t expect the winds to subside – they just switch direction. The shift from North winds to South winds will bring tropical weather our way with plenty of sunshine, thunderstorms, and awesome Florida fishing.

In the shallows, we are still catching plenty of juvenile Snook and Redfish. Deeper depressions and sandy potholes adjacent to healthy grass beds are producing great numbers of fish. During the stronger tide cycles, live pilchards are the bait of choice but during the slack tides these fish will be more receptive to cut bait.

As we move into Summer, expect to see larger migrations of mature Snook making their way to the passes, bridges, jetty’s, reefs, and piers, all around the bay. Significant flow and food source is a critical component to consider when hunting the big ones. A large pinfish or a medium size live mullet will rarely be refused, but they will also gladly take a cut-bait. Don’t be afraid to use your big gear, once one of these big fish decide to take a bait – they will test your light tackle to the limits. Typically, we fish for our bigger Snook with 40-50 lb leader on medium size (5-6k) spinning gear.

Redfish have made a big showing over the last few weeks and we have been seeing several schools of fish. Most fish are ranging 24-28” but we have had days catching some absolute giants as well. On the lower tides, finding the mullet is the key. As these fish forage away from the mangroves, they will use large schools of mullet for safety and feeding. A cut pinfish or ladyfish is always a great bait when targeting these fish roaming around in potholes. On the higher tides, live pilchards or pinfish will get you tight. Focus on getting the bait deep into the bushes/cover to find the strike zone. One trick that I use is hooking the baits in the tail. By doing this, you can sometimes free-line (steer) the baits into the shoreline a little better than a nose hook. For pesky surface baits – don’t be afraid to add a pinch weight to keep them from wrapping around limbs and keep them under the cover. Remember! If you do hook-up under the bushes – keep that rod tip low until the fish breaches the edge of the hazard. High sticking in this situation will almost always end up with a break-off.

Finally – Tarpon! The Silver King. They are here and should only get better as we press forward towards Summer. Migrations of fish have already started showing up on coastal beaches and fish are being caught at the bridges and reefs throughout the bay. Live and cut threadfins are the bait of choice right now but as the crab flushes approach, expect to see feeding patterns shift accordingly.

If you are interested in getting out and seeing what the bay has to offer – now is a great time. Its one of the few times of the year where its not uncommon to catch the grand slam – Snook, Redfish, Trout, Tarpon all in the same trip.

The Suzuki Repower Fishing Report is sponsored by Suzuki Repower and Mastry Engine Center.

Capt. Travis Yaeckel
Instinct Fishing Co.
813-830-FISH
www.fishbyinstinct.com
Capt. Travis On Facebook
Capt. Travis On Instagram

Capt. Travis Yaeckel owns and operates a local Fishing Charter business, Instinct Fishing Co. based in Ruskin, Florida. Born at Tampa General Hospital and growing up along the South Shore of Tampa Bay, Capt. Travis has spent most of his life fishing the waters he now guides for a living. When you book a trip with Travis, your memories begin from his dock and headquarters at The Resort & Club at Little Harbor Village Marina | Slip F1 adjacent to Harborside Suites.

From there you will be greeted with a clean charter boat, rigged rods, a live well full of fresh caught bait, a cooler full of ice and water, and most importantly a full-time professional fishing guide – ready to fish! After a short idle through the marina, your personal quest for the fish of your dreams or just an exciting day on the water begins. Year round he provides clients with all-inclusive inshore and backcountry fishing trips for Snook, Redfish, Trout, & Tarpon. Depending on the tide, weather conditions, moon phase, and time of year, you will fish the flats, bays, creeks, and rivers that makeup the unique estuary we call Tampa Bay.