May, A great month to fish in southwest Florida
Capt. Rob Modys
May 3, 2013
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report
We are quickly moving into our summer pattern with both warmer water temperatures and longer days. Tarpon are now solidly in the mix along our beaches and in the back waters of Estero Bay and Pine Island Sound. Snook are are on the way to the beaches for their summer spawn and redfish are schooling up on the shallow water grass flats. While just about anytime is a good time to go fishing, May is one of the best months to wet a line!
The backcountry of Estero Bay is giving up some big redfish on live shrimp on jigs. It's also time to start throwing live white bait and cut up ladyfish toward the bushes. The reds are out on the flats early in the morning and then move to the mangrove edges as the tide and sun come up.
Spotted sea trout are feeding well on the deeper edges of the grass flats in about 3 to 4 feet of water. Popping cork rigs work well but artificial topwater lures are getting the bigger fish. Try Rapala Skitter Walks or Heddon Zara Spooks. Light colors on sunny days, dark colors on cloudy days.
The Gulf of Mexico has been the place to be for continuous action. Spanish mackerel are everywhere along with a mix of bluefish and jacks. The nearshore reefs and rock ledges are producing a lot of small mangrove snapper, good size trout and quite a few big snook. We've been getting the gag groupers too, but the season is closed until July.
The shark bite is top notch in about 15 to 20 feet of water. A mix of hammerheads, bulls, silkies and blacktips are an easy mark after putting a little bloody chum in the water. Save those jacks, ladyfish and blue runners. They make great shark bait.
And yes, the tarpon are here! From Boca Grande south to Naples, large schools are showing up along the beaches and passes in good numbers. We've had success with both live threadfin herrings and cut baits on the bottom. Look for the frigate birds and you'll most likely find the poons.
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