Whenever there is delay in getting out a fishing report either fishing is real good or real poor. Fishing has been pretty good! During any given week a fisherman will likely see times of good fishing and times not so good fishing. Changes in the weather, pop up storms an increase in wind can make fishing difficult or even impossible for a while. The seatrout action by most accounts are off. Even Mr. Trout, Rupert Heller acknowledges the trout has been stronger. That being said Rupert caught 10 large roe in a strong southeast wind on Monday, pitching plastic from a boat that definitely is not an inshore boat. Ruperts reply seatrout are in the sounds! They the fish are going to move with the tide. Wait on ’em keep pitching and you might catch ’em. Pitching is fine but be prepared to be move if the fish aren’t biting.
Live and dead Bait
Live and dead bait can work. Some of the favorite baits are mud minnows, mullet, crabs, shrimp, squid and pogies. Live lining bait is almost impossible for a fish to resist. When live bait fails to produce a strike, It’s likely the fish either have lock jaw (they are not biting at this time) or they aren’t there. We’ll usually will fish an area first with bait then switch to artificial. On occasion I’ll have one fisherman pitching a plastic and the other on bait. When one method looks like it’s out producing the other we’ll switch. When possible covering water for tailing reds can be effective. Slowing move up or down a bank taking short casts close structure.
Anchoring up is hard to beat
With the chances to scattering fish and annoying fishermen often your best for success is to anchor up. Anchoring up is a tried and true technique. Pick a likely spot, one you likely fished before can caught fish, this is commonly referred to as a drop. A key to fishing a drop is the drift. Drift Is the flow of water. A drift that is not too fast and not too slow is usually the ideal. Moving water, a drift equals a food chain. This simply means when the water is moving you’re likely to catch more fish.
Big Fish moving in!
There have several reports of big fish in coastal waters. Reports seems indicate fishermen are having better year for cobia than the previous year. Capt. Brain has landed some jacks already. Sharks are numerous on the sandbars and schools of pogies are popping up.
Flounder Fishing
Flounder fishing will likely be in full swing by the end of May. Several fishermen have already taken some nice fish. The anticipation is that we’ll have another good flounder year! We caught two while fishing for redfish this week. Both were nice fish and destined for the cooler. Bait will be scare for the remainder of May. Mud minnows are a great for trout, bass and flounder. Capt. Ray caught two triple tail on the lowly mud minnow. It’s a good bait.
Tides look very gentle
Tides look very gentle going to the week end May 22nd. And 23rd. Wind could be a factor. If a prevailing southeast wind continues the incoming tide will likely produce a stronger bite. . A gentle out going tide held back by strong wind could mean not much of a drift and not much of a food chain. Best chances of success fish early in the morning if possible.
Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan