Captain's Report - May/June, 2005

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

This is an interesting time for all fishermen. A relentless winter has not allowed many of the migratory fish to advance to our area on schedule. The two months should provide anglers with more action than they can handle, since a lot of species will be arriving late. Kingfish for one will be available throughout this entire month. Most years their migration starts to thin out a bit during the month of May, but not this year. All the regular spots will hold fish, especially the places holding bait. Better to have a late showing of king, compared to never showing up at all.

For the past few months anglers have had to travel great distances to locate amberjacks. A fifty mile run out to the springs or wrecks was the only way to obtain these back breakers. This month of May should lure the bigger jacks onto many of the wrecks in depth of 80 to 100 feet of water. This will cut the travel time in half for many fishermen. The cost of fuel is so unappealing to angler's wallets nowadays; the jacks will be a welcome sight at these shallower depths.

Other fish will be entering the picture as this month progresses as well. Cobias have already started to hang out on many of the large structures in the gulf. The artificial reefs about ten miles from shore are a perfect place to start, when looking for a few cobia fillets. These curious game fish will swim right up to your boat while you're fishing. It's always a good idea to have a free-lined rod rigged with some hefty monofilament spooled on the reel. Many of the fish are huge, tipping the scales at over fifty pounds. A live pinfish or blue runner will get their attention if tossed directly in front of path. Holding the bait at the surface so that it thrashes around will entice these bruisers best. The beaches will begin to show good numbers as well as this month progresses. Many anglers will see fish cruising the swash channel close to the beach. This will allow landlubbers to experience the fight of a big fish while surf fishing.

Permits are another fish that will move onto many of the artificial refs in the gulf. These close cousins to the pompano will surely rip out some line once hooked. Permit are huge in our area (averaging about 20 pounds) when found at the ten mile reefs. Their food preference is limited to crabs and small shrimp. They can however be fooled with a small jig at times. Light tackle is a must when targeting permit since their eye sight is the keenest of all fish that swim in the gulf. Early arrival to the artificial reefs will give you a better shot at these spooky fish, since they will not tolerate boat traffic.

The next few months looks promising for red grouper fisherman. Many reports of great catches in 100 plus feet of water have already started t trickle in. With the new law of only 2 red grouper per person, limits can be met with ease if you find the right bottom. Bait stacks along the edges of the hard bottom and sand seem to be were the grouper are most active. Expect to find some pelagic fish in the same vicinity as the bait. Kingfish, barracuda, bonito, cobia and an occasional sail fish can be hooked on these same bait stacks that hold grouper.

The blackfin tuna migration has been slowed up by the cooler water temps offshore. Once temps go above 74 degrees angler will start to find them around the shrimp boats. As of this past week the only fish hanging around the boats have been bonito and large spinner sharks. A couple of week's time is what it will take for some good numbers to be available.

Goliath grouper have set up residence on just about every wreck in the gulf. They have already been a large nuisance to many anglers trying to reel in their prized catch. According to diver's reports, some of the wrecks are holding as many as 15 goliaths at a time. We have been enjoying some awesome catch and release of these giants on a daily basis. Dropping a ten pound bonito down to the bottom get instant attention from this oversized sub specie of grouper.

And last but not least, the tarpon migration along out beaches will start up this month. Many schools of fish will works close to the beaches about mid month. May always proves to be when the big fish eat more aggressively. So expect hookups from fish weighing over 120 pounds. Pinfish, small crabs and threadfin herring are my three favorite baits to toss into a milling pod of silverkings. These fish are also skittish of boat noise, so a stealth approach is needed.

Captain's Report - May/June, 2005

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Past Captain's Reports