TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MAY 2018 21
THE
Fish
Captain
Nick Shreves
Whisperer
May Fishing Forecast
INSHORE
Fishing season has started and most every species can be caught on a
regular basis now, such as Redfish, Speckled Sea Trout, and Flounder.
For all three of these species I would use a jig head and a Gulp bait. I like
the Swimming Mullet in a 4 inch size. My favorite colors are white and
smoke. The local bait shop also carries Vudu shrimp made by Egret and
they catch fish, plain and simple the best imitation shrimp I have ever
seen. For live bait try Mud Minnows, Shrimp or Mullet. Live shrimp is still
hard to come by.
PIER FISHING
Pier fishing is improving. The Whiting, Bluefish, Black Drum, Redfish,
Pompano, Sheepshead, and Spanish Mackerel should all be around. For
most of these, you can fish the bottom with shrimp or cut mullet and do
pretty well. Shrimp is always the number one bait of choice. But if the
Spanish are around, you will want a Gotcha Plug, Kastmasters or Clark
Spoons. Work them as fast as you can, while keeping them under the
surface of the water. This will trigger the natural instinct of a fish to
attack. You can catch more than Spanish Mackerel on these as well, so
make sure you have a few in your tackle box.
NEAR SHORE
We can rejoice as Cobia season is here and open for harvest this year.
They have to be one of our largest meat fish to target. Due to changes
to regulations, all must be 36 inches fork length. As far as a sports
fish, these are right up top. These fish can get over 90 pounds and its
pretty common to catch them in the 30 to 40 pound range. These fish
can be found on the near shore wrecks and almost any large structure.
Jigs, live Eels, live Menhaden and Squid are some choice baits. Many
times I can sight cast to the one we want and watch them eat the bait.
The Black Sea Bass are still fired up, as with many other bottom fish.
Spanish Mackerel will be around the nearshore reefs, as well as shipping
channels, and near the end of the month King Mackerel will be showing
up. These fish can be caught free lining live bait or slow trolling.
OFF SHORE
The offshore fishery is about as good as it gets. This time of year Mahi
Mahi, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, Barracuda, Cobia, and Amberjack is just a
start to what you can land while trolling offshore. The bottom fishing is
great as well. Grouper season has opened and fishing ledges and wrecks
can be a great way to start your day. Vermillion Snapper, Triggerfish,
Black Sea Bass, Grunts, Porgies, and Amberjack will also be thick around
the same areas. A day out here this time of year can fill your freezer for
the whole year.
If you are looking for your own adventure, give us a call at (912)
230-4625. Like and Follow us on Facebook for the latest reports and
catches www.facebook.com/BigFishCharters.
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