Whiteys Fishing Report
May 2011
Sebastian Inlet, Beaches & Offshore
May is great time for offshore trolling and usually means to head out deep toward the cones or Gulf Stream for some of the best dolphin fishing all year. The dolphin are migrating back north this month, using the currents of the Gulf Stream to head towards the Carolinas. Trolled ballyhoo naked or with a skirt will help you cover some ground as you look for dolphin action around a weed line, floating debris, temperature breaks or color changes. Many boaters will venture to the other side of the Gulf Stream in search of yellow fin tuna, while crossing all that water, an occasional board, tree or weed line will hold some of the best dolphin action around.
Bottom fishing is a good relief from trolling and right now the amberjack have shown up along the deep-water reefs. Live bait and vertical jigs will set any angler up for a good 10-20 minute tug of war against some 40lb. + reef donkeys.
Look for things to heat up on the beach as well, with Greenies and Pogies showing up smoker Kingfish will be right on their heels. This can be a great alternative to running way offshore and burning lots of fuel, just stay on the beach, you’ll be amazed at what you might find.
Sebastian Inlet anglers should see good numbers of baitfish in the inlet and along the flats in the river the full moon this month. Schools of good size Mojarras and greenies are keeping the Snook and other game fish active in the inlet for most of the day. Redfish, ladyfish, bluefish and jacks have all been waiting in the channels to feed on the bait as they move through the inlet. Live shrimp is still a good standby option, just in case the bait is out of cast net range. Look for the mojarras around the catwalks, boat ramp and L-dock on the south side. Most of the pins and pigfish will be by the bridges and around the steel at the tidal pool.
Nighttime anglers are catching snook on buck tails and windcheaters during the outgoing tides. Focus on the tide changes and that should help produce a slot-sized fish. The blue fish have been very thick at the inlet and expect to hook a few while trying to bag a snook before the end of season.
With all the bait moving in and out of the inlet, don't let the mangrove snapper fishing go by without exploring it. They love all the Mojarras and other bait fish rushing by them. The mangroves will hang out under rock ledges waiting for an easy ambush around the channels and catwalks.
Fish your baits close to the drop offs with a ¾ oz. lead weight on a light 15-20 lb. fluorocarbon leader and a #1 or even a #2 light gauge hook to minimize the sight of your gear. Fluorocarbon is expensive but in the grand scheme of things it can make the difference between catching and just fishing for the mangroves.
It might pay off to also fish the slack tides for a few minutes as the flounder are still returning from offshore through the inlet on their way back into the river. This time of year most people loose interest in fishing for flounder so getting into the primo spots is easy and not crowded with company.
Flats fishing will remain good throughout most of the month as schools of bait continue to gather on the grass flats. The trout are up on the flats getting lots of food to fatten up for their spawn. Try to really key in your fishing time early in the mornings or when the bait is up on the surface. Use soft plastic baits with a light jig head or your favorite top waters to put a few fish on your stringer. As the weather continues to settle into summer like patterns, the water temperature will rise on the flats and slow down the daytime fishing.
For those of you following our Cobia Tournament, the final results are: First Place: Cliff Schoolmaker, 67 1/4lb, Second Place: Tyler Foster, 60 lbs. Third Place: DJ Wood, 52 1/4lbs. Again we would like to thank everyone who entered this year. There were some heavy fish caught over the last three months, with some brutes in the 60-80 lb ranges. I only hope next year proves to be as good with lots of fish along the coast.
As usual stop by Whitey’s to get the latest information or check us out on the web at www.whiteysonline.com. Until next month…
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-14409030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
captstovall@whiteysonline.comwww.whiteysonline.com/
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