Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico
Capt. Dave Pinkham
May 1, 2007
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
May is a Great Month for Fishing on the Gulf of Mexico
If asked to choose one single descriptive word to characterize just how good the recreational fishing is along Florida’s Southwest Coastline during the month of May, without hesitation the word that immediately comes to mind would have to be “Exceptional”!
We’ve enjoyed a beautiful spring with mild weather and no red tides! This means that we can expect a great summer bite!
Long sunny days have warmed the inshore waters and the Gulf of Mexico up into the mid-80’s. This is the norm for this time of the year and with the rising air and water temperatures many different species of fish should be actively in search of food throughout the day. With their increased activity generating even yet a stronger drive for the fish to feed, anglers should be well pleased as May offers some of the most exciting fishing opportunities of the year.
Along the beaches, schools of pilchards often referred to as white bait can be found just a few feet from the shoreline. When cast netted up and put on a hook these lively baitfish will entice even the wariest fish such as the much sought after snook into hitting. As you stroll down the beach if you look in the water just beyond where the surf meets the sand, you may even spot one or more of these inshore gamefish as they spryly feed on the pilchards.
Looking out west of the beach a hundred yards or so, this same keen eyed observer may also observe pods of tarpon as they roll and frolic at the surface. These colossal silver fish often obtaining weights approaching 200 pounds are strictly a sport fish and are revered for their exquisite fighting and jumping abilities. Nicknamed the “Silver King”; anglers come from all over the world to have a shot at catching one of these beautiful fish. As a matter of fact, Boca Grande Pass is billed “The Tarpon Capitol of the World!”
Those anglers wanting to fish the backwaters may consider flipping a Cotee Jig or a gold spoon out in front of some mangrove trees or at the edge of an oyster bar. These areas are known favorite hangouts for red drum. Reds are characterized by their golden red coloring along with a black spot generally in the area of their tail. Hooking up with a redfish on ultra light tackle in as little as 12 inches of water could be the highlight of the day!
Offshore out on the Gulf of Mexico the fishing action will take center stage. As the Gulf’s water temperatures rise a little more each day, many species of large pelagic fish will be moving in within easy reach of most anglers with a boat.
- Kingfish are now well into their spring debut, with the month of May possibly being the time for the “Grande Finale”. Slow trolling live blue runners will account for hookups with the biggest kings which are often referred to as “Smokers”.
- Barracuda will be stacked up over the wrecks and county artificial reef systems. Some of these toothy monsters can grow in excess of 6 feet long, and when hooked will put on quite an aerial display for the angler lucky enough to have one on the end of their line.
- Permit should make a showing on area wrecks and reefs later in the month. These beautiful fish game fish prefer crustaceans so bring some jumbo shrimp or crabs along. If you see permit fining at the surface, cast your bait out in front of them allowing it to fall naturally.
- Grouper and snapper fishing is always a dependable standby on the gulf coast. When bottom fishing for both of these species there are plenty of 2-foot ledges scattered all over the gulf floor so keep your bottom machine running. When you notice a change on you bottom graph indicating a rock crevice below, toss a marker jug and try it. Normally if you hook into gag grouper or mangrove snapper then you’ve located good structure. When bottom fishing be sure to put out the extra effort and keep a couple of livies free-lined out on top. You never know when a school of kingfish, mahi, or blackfin tuna may swim through. As the water continues to warm up this month, red grouper should make a good showing. For the keepers concentrate your efforts 20 to 50 miles offshore. Bouncing baits along the bottom while drifting is a great way to locate these bottom feeders
- Black fin tuna should make a good showing this month in the 80 to 140-foot range. A good place to start looking would be in the area of an anchored shrimp boat. These commercial shrimpers normally pull their trawls during the night. Often, come first daylight the shrimpers will anchor down their boats and go to work picking through their catch, and then throw the by-catch overboard. This in turn can draw fish such as blackfin tuna.
-Tarpon should make a showing later in the month. Sight fishing for them just west of area beaches is one favorite way to fish for them. Once a pod of tarpon is located, try casting live or artificial baits at them. Some of their favorite natural foods are crabs, shrimp, threadfin sardines, and pinfish. Large numbers of tarpon should also begin showing up in Boca Grande Pass this month. On the falling tide the Tarpon will be feeding on the small crabs that are washed out of the bay. Bring along a long handle net and try scooping up your own crabs.
-Shark fishing for some anglers is about as good as it gets. For the rest of us, they can sure mess up a good grouper bite. Regardless of your personal feelings, this is the time of year to tag into a shark. Lately on just about every trip, whether we want to or not, we’ve been hooking into one or another species of shark. To target shark, bring along some chum and fish a couple of lines up off the bottom while anchored.
-Cobia is another fish to target in the month of May. Clearer gulf water will make them easy to see. Casting live baitfish in front of sighted cobia is about as exciting as it gets. Cobia tend to hang around any sort of structure, so when fishing around these areas keep looking into the water.
-Greater amberjack and giant jack crevelle and huge Permits will be hanging around the deeper wrecks and big ledges. Healthy live baits will often provoke fish into hitting that otherwise wouldn’t feed. Be sure to keep your rigs simple as clear water makes it harder to get them to hit.
May is one of the best months of the year for fishing on the gulf. Remember if you’re too busy to go fishing you’re just too busy! Get out and go fishin cuz’ it’s good fer ya!
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