Fishing Forecast with

c apt. patrick Smith

May is an awesome time of the year, mild temps and the wind machine finally shuts down for a couple months. Some other great things happen this time of the year, lots of fish and lots of bait show up.

Nearshore big bonita, king fish, rainbow runners, and all other kinds of fast moving hard pulling species will be more than willing to eat just about anything that you offer. One of my favorite methods of fishing in May is to get out to the reef in 100+ feet and throw a topwater lure with no hooks on it to tease fish to the boat so fly fisherman can hook up. If you’re not into fly fishing, a Zara Spook or Hydro Pencil with a single large j hook on the back, crank as fast as you can across the surface, will usually provide more action than you can handle. I would advise to use pretty heavy tackle and crank your drag down as the sharks tend to be really bad this time of year. Once you move in towards a beach, keep an eye out for snook, permit, and jacks. Expect them to be cruising right along the trough. There will be plenty of snook inside of all the inlets,

Boynton

and the temptation is there to sit and catch them nonstop, but please keep in mind that those fish are spawning, and they need to be handled with care. The best bet is to catch a couple and then go on to something else so that they can continue with the spawn uninterrupted. If you can get your hands on a mullet or big pilchard, drifting around the outside of the inlets can be a great way to hook up with tarpon this month. They tend to be bigger fish and finicky, but they will eat if you put the time in.

The Lake Ida, Osborne, and Clark chain will be fishing great as always in May. Live shad or shiners should keep you hooked up all day long. If you like a little more of a challenge, try a jerk bait and at sunrise or sunset with a prop or Zara Spook. Knives will tend to feed early and late if you want to target them specifically; make sure there is some moon light and go drift shiners and throw rattle traps. The fishing on Alligator Alley should remain good through most of the month. Once heavy rains start the fishing quality will drop off dramatically out there.

Good luck out there!