Folks it doesn’t get any better than April and May fishing because the migratory fish enhance our abundant populations and the weather is awesome! It’s hard to decide where to start. The Spanish and king mackerel will pass along our near-shore waters now. Cobia, sharks, pompano and many more tag along. Baitfish schools will lead the entourage around. Fish follow the food! Off shore we may be allowed to keep grouper in state waters but the National Marine Fishery Service is playing games and only time will tell. Consult with your local authorities. Inside is sure to be hopping now; snook, trout, reds, mackerel, pompano, and everything else are hungry.  Be sure you don’t miss out on this fabulous fishing.

Spanish and king mackerel are easy to catch if you just make the time to get to know your local tackle shop staff. You want to explain your situation, gear, boat or lack of etc… Take notes and purchase extras because you will loose rigs with these toothy predators. You probably want to start out with hardware; spoons, lures, and jigs. Decide on one or the other because they all work different! Go to places like the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers to learn and catch some fish. Observe and copy. Do not get in your teachers way! Take along an extra sandwich or soda, it help you get acquainted. If your boating observe other boats catching fish but maintain a courteous distance. Follow flocks of seagulls, especially if you see striking fish at the surface below them. Live baits are great but require much more time/equipment to catch, hold alive, and then fish. I do not use wire for mackerel but do for larger kings, sharks, and cudas. This will get you started and if you give it a chance you can catch more macks than you can eat. Remember to carry plenty of ice to keep your catch fresh for dinner.

Cobia will just pop up when least expected so have a thirty pound rig ready to cast. Try lures, large soft plastics or hard baits like the Mirrolure Top Dog. Pinfish of shrimp also work but require you look away and bait the hooks. Sharks are fun if you like to play with big, very big fish. Just stay away from the sharp teeth! Wire is important here. The baitfish schools will black out the water some days. The more food the more fish, generally applies. Birds will find feeding fish activity and alert you to hot feeding opportunities. Check out any flocks of birds.

I wish I could tell you we could enjoy our abundant grouper stocks but our NMFS “experts” believe we have to close grouper. While I am all for protecting our natural recourses it appears to me we need protection from our government’s over protection. Do your home work and make your own opinions then speak out; God Bless America! Just call before you fish here!

In side, is as good as it gets now! Snook are catch and release but you can have fun just carefully release them. We do need more fish here. Lures are fine and minnows are awesome; if you are set up to catch, hold, and fish them. Your tackle shop friends are your best source of up to the minute information on lures and hot spots. Fish will work from the rivers and creeks towards the Gulf for their summer spawning. Please get your cameras ready before you remove trophies for photographs. Please hold fish horizontally. A good rule to follow here is to hold your breath while shooting and return fish to water when you need to breathe. We try to keep things simple.

Redfish are around but chased all the time so harder to target. We have redfish they are just jumpy. If you fish edges you will get some nice reds and trout while snook fishing now. All our big three follow the food flow because they are hungry after the cold winter.

Pompano are one of my favorites; but they can be challenging. Start around Gulf Passes and work inside then out as tide flow shifts. Concentrate on current eddies, especially deeper grassy edges. I like the metal “Goofy” type jigs. If current is strong you may try the 3/8 or ½ ounce sizes. Slower flow the ¼ or even 1/8 catches better. Color can be important or make no difference; it drives me crazy. I do tip my jigs with a small bit of fresh shrimp to sweeten it up. Sand fleas are even better if your kids will help you dig some up. Space is tight here but you can ask your bait shop friends to go into more details if you need more info

I understand that fishing guides seem very expensive unless you know how much it costs them to provide you their services. When comparing prices note the boat you are going to spend the day in; cost as well as comfort/equipment vary. If you can swing it experienced guides are the best bet to shorten your learning curve as well as enjoy a day learning our waters. Compare the cost of renting a boat; plus fuel and other expenses, risks, tackle, licenses, and lack of personal assistance, then you can judge for yourselves. Many of us use golf or tennis pros; yet feel we can learn to fish without help? Experts can help you learn fish habits, how the read local waters, about specific fish, or refine your skills and techniques. Just be sure you communicate your wants and expectations with your chosen guide for best results! If you think guides are pricey buy and maintain a boat!

Finally do not miss out on our regions Spring fishing! Like Captain Wilson used to say, “If you’re too busy to go fishing you’re just too busy”! Let’s Go Fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard www.captvan.com