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fve things you should know about boat insurance

Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are fve things to know about boat insurance.

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected fnancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.

Accidents can happen to anyone

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3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

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4. Most lenders require boat insurance

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‘MAY’ Your Cup Overfoweth with Gags & Scamps!

You probably noticed my attempt at a little humor with that title—just what we need a!er a long closed season. In my personal view, the closure has been unnecessary, much like the situation with Atlantic red snapper. Many of us are simply trying to catch seabass and grunts for dinner, but we keep getting pushed o our favorite spots where red snapper and gags are abundant. Yet, these species are still considered endangered. I think you know where I stand on this topic, so I won’t dwell on it any further.

As warm water moves in closer to the beach, expect to nd king sh and cobia frequenting the same spots where you’re catching gags when the water temperature rises above 68°F. Always have a pitch rod ready as cobia may swim right up to the boat. However, don’t be surprised if you catch cobia while bottom shing with a decor jig and an appealing bait. In fact, more cobia are o!en caught on the bottom than on the surface when anchored up and targeting grouper.

schools of cigar minnows and sardines on them. You don’t need to look any further when you nd this combination of bait because the sh will be right there. It’s always a good idea to keep one person on the Sabiki jigging up. A live sardine or a live cigar on a decoy has a life expectancy of under ten seconds around any kind of sh. We try to never leave the marina without a couple boxes of frozen cigar minnows and live pin sh. at live pin sh can sometimes be the best selection of all because it’s too large for any of the trash bites.

TIM BAREFOOT

of other species like vermilions, mangroves, grunts and seabass.

In addition to all the other stu on the bottom, it’s always good to keep a light line out for kings, black n, wahoo and dolphin. It’s not a bad idea to keep one under a %oat (so you can keep an eye on it) and another one without a %oat, but you have to be mindful of that bait getting back into props or under the boat tangling other lines.

I’ve always said, “Find the bait, nd the sh.” Go to all your familiar haunts with structure of one kind of another, whether it’s ledges, rock out crops, wrecks, etc. e bonus will be nding

Any kind of little snapper about the size of your hand makes for the ultimate bait. I’m no longer shing for barely-legal gag or scamp. Instead, I’m looking for one good bite at a time. I’ll let that bait soak on the bottom and be patient waiting for the old man to show up. Don’t get me wrong, more sh have been caught on frozen cigar minnows and sardines than all the other baits combined, but a live one is simply irresistible to every grouper and/or snapper out there. Period. Nearly everything on the bottom will take a whack at it, but only the sh with the correct sized mouth can eat that small snapper. Because the creel limits are so low, you’ll easily reach your grouper limit. Once you have, it’s wise to take advantage

If you’re anchoring and not just using the trolling motor, it’s a great idea to %y the kite. Keep a couple baits suspended with little to no leader in the water. Live greenies, cigs or sardines under the kite is the ultimate presentation. You can even get away with %uorocarbon using circle hooks depending on the current. Don’t hesitate to put a bait out with a small amount of weight in front of it to get it down 30 to 50 feet behind the boat. is will get you that large wahoo bite. ere are so many options available this time of year in the warmer water, so be ready to take advantage of all of them once you ll your cooler with one species or another. is is the ideal time to broaden your approach and become skilled in targeting not only di erent types of snapper and grouper, but also pelagics.

MAY you nd calm seas, tight lines and delicious dinners this month!

Learn more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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Kids and Fishing

By: Jessica Hendrie

Bass fishing holds a special place in my heart. I grew up fishing with my dad and I still do. Now I am passing on bass fishing to my son and it is a wonderful feeling! As much as I love fishing on the ocean, I grew up in an area where lakes and ponds were in your backyard. It was much easier as a kid to cast a line down the road than to get a boat ready! Those are some of my best memories. Today, my son enjoys catching bass and deciding how he wants to eat them. We have a tradition of fried bass, cheese grits, baked beans, and hush puppies. Having traditions like these that tie fishing into the home is something truly special. Bass fishing for us is a year-round activity. We live in a hot climate in South Florida that ensures awesome bites! We use all kinds of lures, but something we never use it live bait. My favorite rig to bass fish with is a simple June bug. If you know, you know. The fun part of bass fishing for me is watching my son test out so many new things and new technologies that I didn’t have as a kid. It comes so natural to him. He cracks me up when he wants to buy a rat lure or even a spider lure… until you guessed it, he proves me wrong and catches a large bass on it! I’ve never seen anything like it. If you haven’t taken your kiddos bass fishing yet, let me be the first to tell you that you will be starting something you cannot stop if you do! And you absolutely won’t regret it! If you get a chance to cook it also, try my traditional recipe of that fried bass dinner. Fry the bass to your liking, (I use a fry daddy) cook up some grits and add cheese, butter, and salt and pepper, make your hush puppies per usual, and spice up some baked beans with bacon, ground beef, onions, sausage, BBQ sauce, seasoning, and a little bit of brown sugar. I promise you will be forever changed! One thing my dad use to always say to me that I hope you can carry with you. “we don’t go fishing, we go catching.” Happy Fishing, everyone!

Migration Time

By: Capt. Bart Marx

The waters have warmed up and one of the most anticipated events is the migration of the Silver King Tarpon. This month they will start arriving in large schools/pods. Traveling from south to north and eventually out into the Gulf of America to spawn. While they are traveling along the coast of Southwest Florida, they can be targeted several different ways. Artificial fly fishing, this is site fishing for the purist. Many of these anglers build their own flies and use them to fool the fish into eating their creation. This can be accomplished from the beaches all the way into the back waters of the estuaries. Another way to use artificials, like soft plastics to artificial lures, site casting or trolling the bridge shadow line at night. These pods of tarpon are in search of food, crabs, shrimp and small fish. Their mouth is mostly bone and very hard making this species a challenge to hook and keep them hooked up. If you are fortunate enough to hook up the line will rise to the surface and they jump, the rule is bow to the king while they are in the air. This is when you pray that your buddy is getting video! Live bait, specifically crabs about the size of a sliver dollar work or you could go into the Gulf and catch some squirrel and pinfish to use. Finding a pod on the beach or up into the estuaries is less aggressive than being out in the pass and a slower pace. A lot of anglers don't realize that tarpon are also the target species of sharks. Many times, if you are hooked up on a tarpon, the longer you fight that fish the odds of it getting eaten by a shark become greater. Tarpon require a tag to harvest, and I don't know anyone that has dined on tarpon. Some species that can be harvested to eat like snook, red drum, and sea trout will eat the white bait if you are a cast net caster. All of these fish will be along the mangroves and mouths of creeks where there is moving water and ambush points. Snook like points and docks, reds like the shade of the mangroves and the mouths of creeks, and trout like the edges of the grass beds and sand hole edges. If you would like to come along with us, call 941-979-6517 or e-mail me captbart@alphaomegacharters.com

If you are new to our area and you have your own boat and fishing gear, I can provide a training session on you boat. Always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile.<(((((>{

MAY IS THE MONTH

By: Capt. Terry Fisher

May is the month for opportunities galore when it comes to targeting fish. Moderate and consistent water temperatures should make for ideal fishing opportunities. Abundance of baitfish, big shrimps, crabs and mullet, squid and ladyfish will all be available for cast netting, or purchasing from the bait shops.

Big tarpon are cruising the beaches and the passes from Marco Island north to Boca Grande. This is the time for the Tarpon Migration from Central and South America through Southwest Florida and are virtually any bait in their path. Live or dead baits such as; pass crabs, blue crab, mullet, pichards and threadfins are all in the mix. The challenge is to ‘Match the Hatch’, meaning anglers must have what they are feeding on for success. These fish will feed off the seabed, bait suspended under a cork with a 6/0 Circle Hook or bigger. Heavy spinning gear is preferred for ease.

Snook will be plentiful inshore and cruising along the beaches. Many snook have moved to these locations from the winter river and creek locations. I find the most consistently and preferred baits for this species are pilchards, although other baits such as pinfish and ladyfish will work. Snook are very receptive to artificial presentations as well.

Redfish are here in good numbers in the Mangroves of Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, Turtle and Bull Bays. I prefer to fish for them in these shallow areas on high incoming tides allowing myself access at least two (2) hours prior to the tides topping out. Live shrimps, blue crab, cut pinfish or ladyfish are great baits suspended under a popping cork or placed on the seabed with a jig head or other type of weight to hold the presentation in place close to the mangrove roots.

Trout are all around the grass flats in grassy waters from 2ft.-6ft. The larger seatrouts will be there until the water gets warmer in the coming summer months. I like to fish shrimp suspended under a popping cork. Live baits such as menhaden will also work as well as artificial soft plastics and top-water presentations. However, one will catch a lot more fish using live shrimps.

Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, small sharks and pompano will all join the above party while fishing for seatrout. Spanish mackerel will be easily targeted trolling silver spoons in the passes in seven to ten foot of water or by pitching white baits such as pilchards, on a long-shanked ‘J’ hook. Look for diving birds to locate best area for catching migrating spanish mackerel.

Offshore; for purposes of this article will refer to ‘State’ waters (up to 9 miles out from the ‘Outer’ islands of Sanibel, Captiva and Boca Grande). The depth will be around 45-50 foot. Best case catches will be lane and mangrove snappers, Grunts and small groupers. The larger groupers, vermillion, lane and mangrove snappers will be caught 30-40 miles out in 85-120ft. of water. To be safe one needs a vessel that can handle the longer runs. Use circle hooks for all reef species. Be sure to know the regulations for both State and Federal Waters for all species, as there are significant differences.

Yellowtail snappers will best be found off of distant wrecks. Small circle hooks and light leaders work best. Cut fish pieces and shrimps will do the job. Just free-line them with the current.

Don’t overlook the passes as mangrove snappers are there in about 35ft. of water. Use a weight large enough to keep your presentation strait up and down. Use a 2/0 Circle hook for these fish. shrimp will do just fine for bait selection although sardines and herring are great baits for the bigger mangroves.

Permit are also making their way to the reefs and wrecks. Crabs are my favorite bait for this species. I like to free-line them with the current. These are hard fighting fish so use medium heavy tackle.

Kingfish should be off the beaches out to 30ft. of water and around the reefs. Wire leader with hook and trailer hook will prevent cut offs. Cobia are here so keep a rod rigged with a crab or eel for a quick cast!

Tarpon On the Move

By: Alex Baumann

Each May, the waters of Pine Island Sound fill with the rolling backs of migrating tarpon, signaling one of Southwest Florida’s most anticipated seasons. While nearby Boca Grande Pass draws much of the attention, the historic waters around Cabbage Key tell a deeper story. One rooted in the early days of tarpon fishing and a legacy that still defines the fishery today.

Long before modern skiffs and fly tackle, anglers were drawn to this region in pursuit of the Silver King. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, tarpon fishing here became a national sensation, attracting prominent figures from across the country. Among them was Theodore Roosevelt who frequented Southwest Florida and helped cement the area’s reputation as a premier sporting destination. Cabbage Key along with nearby Useppa Island became a hub for early tarpon anglers, where stories of hundred-pound fish and long battles were forged in the surrounding waters of the Sound. The difference now is pressure. Boca Grande is known as the tarpon capital for a reason but it can get crowded and technical especially in May. Just a short run away Pine Island Sound offers a completely different experience. There is more room to move, fish are less pressured and it sets up perfectly for fly anglers who want to hunt rather than sit in a line of boats. Fishing around the sound in May is all about paying attention. Early in the morning you will find fish rolling along channel edges and deeper cuts. Setting up ahead of them and making a clean shot is key. Most days a floating or intermediate line with a longer leader gets the job done. Simple patterns like toads, cockroaches, and baitfish flies are all you really need if you put them in the right place.

The beaches are another huge part of the program. Fish cruise just off the sand from Sanibel up past Cayo Costa and they are usually moving steady. If the light is right you can see them from a long way off and set up for a clean presentation. These fish are often more relaxed than what you find in the pass which makes it a perfect scenario for fly fishing. Inside the Sound focus on moving water and areas where bait stacks up. Cuts between islands, troughs near the Intracoastal and any kind of edge will hold fish. They might not be packed together but they are there and they are catchable if you stay patient and keep looking. What makes this place stand out is the mix of history and opportunity. You are fishing the same water that guys were fishing over a hundred years ago and it still produces in a big way. For anyone willing to explore a little bit, Pine Island Sound in May is one of the most underrated tarpon fisheries out there.

704-999-0571 @alextroutsets

21 Thu 6:05 1.7 3:40 2.3

TARPON MIGRATION, THE SPRING SWEEP

By: Caitlyn Gatrell

May is a special time of year in the backcountry of the Everglades. The birds are flying around, wildlife is out, fish are active, the weather is beautiful, and most of all, the tarpon are rolling. While our area is known to have tarpon here year-round, May is a big peak in their season. They are migrating heavily during late spring and can be seen all around in schools rolling and thrashing on bait schools. It's without a doubt, one of my favorite times of year!

I can attest that sometimes they will bite any time of day, even if its dead current in the middle of the hot day. But typically, they enjoy the early morning hours and especially the evening feeding around sunset when there's a nice outgoing

or incoming flow. As a matter of fact, when we fish for them around sunset we often see many, large ones too, lunging on bait. Sometimes they even fully jump out of the water for them. And not just for bait, we've even seen them do this for bugs and mosquitoes too! It's quite the sight to see.

We've had tarpon bite on numerous baits like swimbait lures, large pilchards, etc., but the most productive I've seen are lively mullet or topwater lures. Each one gives a different vibe. I like to throw a mullet down if there's a flowing current and I know it's a deep underwater cut. Sitting there quietly with a finger on the line, when all of a sudden it gets yanked down and the drag starts to scream is a pretty intense feeling. On the other hand, working a topwater lure around rolling tarpon at a sunset bite, followed by a huge wake and a massive blowup then crazy line tension is also heart-racing. Both methods produce tons of drag screams, line pulling, and acrobatic jumps. Sometimes I can't really say which I enjoy more!

Areas If

A reas you can expect to find hungry and feisty tarpon include backwaters, mangrove lines, deep channels, bays, nearshore points, flats, and sometimes even near oyster beds. It's a good thing the Backcountry has all to over! The opportunities are truly endless during this time of year.

If you've been waiting for a chance to get out there and hook up to one of your own, now is the perfect time. It's great if you have access to a boat, but you don't need one! They can also be commonly caught off the beach, under bridges, near docks, and more, on land during this time of year. I can say for sure as I've caught a few in these areas myself. I recommend having a medium to heavy setup, lively bait, pliers, and honestly, gear to cover up from the mosquitoes! Good luck to all looking to wrangle their personal best tarpon this spring!

Kayak Fishing

by: Dan Carns

Pine Island, Matlacha and the surrounding area suffered a devastating hurricane when Ian blew through Southwest Florida a few years ago. So many businesses were either completely gone or unable to continue to operate that the other commercial fisherman and shrimpers found themselves in dire need of alternate outlets, hence the birth of Bobbers Bait and Tackle on the corner of Pine Island and Stringfellow Rd.

I mmediately following Ian there were virtually no bait shops selling shrimp. Owners, Brenda and Robert Boots operate two commercial shrimp boats out of Safe Harbour Marina in Pineland Fl. With no outlet for their product, they resorted to simply selling shrimp on the side of Pine Island rd. as you approach Stringfellow Rd. This was the reality for so many businesses as they tried to survive following hurricane Ian. Obviously, the need for live shrimp was needed as they did a brisk business on the side of the road and made the decision to open a bait shop at their current location. The first few months were basically bait only but as time moved along, daughter Aimee, started outfitting the new shop with simple supplies, a few lures, a small selection of weights and hooks and lines. Today they are a full-service tackle shop. Besides the regular and hand-picked shrimp, you can also get pin fish and live crabs. Inside you can outfit your entire day with a large selection of tackle including rubber and hard lures, bait buckets, aerators and batteries, as well as any terminal tackle like swivels and weights. The freezer has plenty of frozen baits including squid, mullet, mackerel, chum blocks and I can also pick up my monthly edition of Coastal Angler Magazine!

Directly across the street is a convenience store with all the necessary snacks and drinks for the day. All my fishing buddies know that I’m an early kayak launcher and told me that there was a bait shop out on Pine Island that opened at five A.M. That’s all I needed to hear so every morning I would drive out, get my bait and launch way before sunrise. I only needed shrimp when I first started going there but over time I noticed that they we’re adding more and more supplies so now I don’t worry if I need any additional gear. I fish with a bunch of local guides and amazingly good anglers that all like to launch in the dark and while some of them don’t use live baits, I love to catch fish on bait. Having Bobbers Bait at the corner of Pine Island and Stringfellow Rd., let’s me get bait and launch anywhere on Pine Island or Matlacha super early. The line of trucks hauling boats, kayakers and shore bound fisherman standing in line for bait is proof that Bobbers Bait and Tackle has everything you need for a successful day on the water! It’s a Wild World-Get Out There!

@paddlinandfishin

Dan Carns

Many Choices

By: Capt. Dave Stephens

Without a doubt, May is probably one of my favorite months to fish Charlotte Harbor. Our fishery is at its peak for spring fishing. Every species that is catch-able is swimming in the harbor this time of the year. One of the species at the top of most anglers list will be snook as these fish will be moving to areas to spawn. Look for schools of fish in areas with sandy bottoms and moving current. The bars with sandy and oyster bottoms will hold good numbers of fish and the outer islands will start loading up. Live bait is the bait of choice, but many different artificial's work well also. Tarpon are another top targeted fish this time of year as everyone knows Boca Grande Pass will be at the center of tarpon anglers’ destinations. The beaches will be holding good numbers of pods to toss a crab into and

the deeper holes in the harbor will have some fish cruising around in them. Getting out early is the key to locating fish, look for tarpon rolling on the surface. Trout fishing should also start to pick up on the local flats and bars. Look for a marble bottom, a mix of grass with sand holes. For the anglers that want some fish for dinner? The mangrove snapper are moving in and deeper point and mangrove shorelines will be holding good numbers. These fish have really good eyesight so you might need to downsize your leader, and I do recommend fluorocarbon. The hardest part about May is deciding what to fish for, so you may want to plan multiple days out.

Dominic

THE OVERLOOKED MONTH FOR TROPHY SPECKLED TROUT MAY:

If you’re a big trout enthusiast like me, you know there’s still time le to chase a personal best—if you haven’t had your ll over the past few months. While most anglers focus on trophy speckled trout from December through early April, May quietly remains one of the most underrated windows of the year. With the full moon in late May, many of those big females will hold eggs all month, giving anglers one last legitimate shot at a heavy trout before the spawn wraps up.

What makes May even better is how enjoyable it is to be on the water. e cold winter grind is behind us, waders can nally come o , and the warmer conditions allow for a more aggressive approach. Unlike winter, when slow presentations dominate, May lets you sh with more con dence and energy. Topwater explosions become a real possibility again, and there are few things more exciting than watching a big trout crush a lure on the surface.

at said, topwaters aren’t the only tool in play. Slow-sinking and suspending baits still produce, and so plastics—especially paddle tails—shine this time of year. With water temperatures rising, trout are more active and willing to chase.

Adding sound, like a subtle tail rattle, can make a noticeable di erence in getting bites from these larger sh. Sizes from 3” to 5” can all be e so don’t hesitate to mix it up until you nd what they want.

Location plays just as important a role as lure selection. I like to focus on grass knee- to waist-deep water, especially those with nearby drains from small lakes or creeks. areas concentrate bait and naturally pull in predators. Subtle features—like potholes, small depressions, or even a one-foot drop-o —can hold sh and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Approach is everything in shallow water. Whether you’re wading or shing from a kayak, stealth matters. Position yourself far enough o your target area to avoid spooking sh, especially in clear conditions. Cover water methodically with a fan-cast approach, working from short casts to longer ones. Starting close allows you to pick o sh in front of you before potentially spooking them with longer casts.

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Shallow water may look too skinny to hold quality sh, but time and time again it proves otherwise. e key is reading the conditions,

they want to be. Some days they’ll be scattered across a at, while other times they’ll stack up along a subtle edge or current break.

May is your last real shot at an egg-heavy trophy trout before summer patterns take over. Take advantage of the warmer weather, sh with con dence, and enjoy the experience. And if you can, take a kid shing—they like big trout too.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor and owner of Knockin Tail Lures® — knockintaillures.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

MDROP IT LIKE IT’S

By A. deGruchy

ay 1st marks one of the most anticipated days in the Florida Keys: the reopening of grouper season. e Florida Keys o ers a variety of grouper species, each with its own habits and appeal. Black grouper are the top prize, known for their size and power, typically found on deeper reefs and wrecks. Red grouper

are more common on patch reefs and ledges and are a great target for steady action. Gag grouper show up more in deeper water and are prized for both their ght and table quality.

Grouper shing is all about positioning and strength. ese sh live in holes, ledges, and wrecks, and when they bite, they immediately try

to return to structure. Success depends on getting your bait down quickly and pulling hard the second you feel a strike. ere is no waiting. You either win the rst few seconds or lose the sh. Tackle matters. A heavy-duty setup using PENN conventional reels paired with strong rods gives you the drag and li ing power needed to keep sh out of the rocks. On the terminal side, circle hooks are the standard for reef shing, improving hook placement and supporting conservation. Pair these with heavy leader and enough weight to stay pinned to the bottom. Live bait like pin sh or grunts is ideal. Bigger baits o en mean bigger grouper, especially when targeting black grouper o shore.

It is also important to understand that grouper are a slow-growing species. Many take years to reach legal size, and they are particularly vulnerable during spawning periods. at is why strict regulations, seasons, and gear requirements exist. Responsible anglers follow the rules, handle sh carefully, and use tools like descending devices when releasing sh from deeper water.

Here in the Keys, your approach can vary based on conditions. O shore trips o er a shot at larger sh in deeper water, while patch reef shing can provide more consistent action and shorter runs. Both are productive, and the best option o en depends on weather and current conditions. Show up prepared, sh hard, and respect the resource so it stays strong for years to come.

For more real-world shing action in the Florida Keys, follow Bean Sport shing on YouTube

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SPEND LE TIME ON TASKS More Time Fishing

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Lipless Crankbait vs. the Chatterbait:

HowMatchingtheHatchandtheRightRodDrivesBassFishingSuccess

Lipless vibrating lures have long been staples in bass !shing, but few create more debate—or more bites—than the lipless crankbait (rattle trap) and the chatterbait. While both rely on vibration to trigger reaction strikes, their e ectiveness depends heavily on forage, seasonal timing, and even the rod and reel used to !sh them.

A lipless crankbait is a hard-bodied bait designed for speed and sound. Its tight vibration and internal rattles allow bass to locate it from long distances, making it ideal when !sh are actively feeding on bait!sh like shad. ese baits excel in open water or over submerged grass, where anglers can burn them, yo-yo them, or rip them free to trigger reaction strikes. For rattle traps, rod selection plays a major role in landing !sh. A 7’ to 7’3” mediumheavy rod with a moderate or moderate-fast action is ideal. e slightly so er tip allows bass to fully load the rod before the hooks engage, reducing the chances of pulling treble hooks free during surging !ghts. e longer length also helps make long casts, which is critical when covering water or targeting schooling !sh. You typically want to throw the trap on a faster gear ratio reel like a 7.1 or 7.3. e faster gear ratio helps pick up the line on long cast when you get a bite and need to catch up with the !sh.

A chatterbait, or bladed jig, produces a wider, thumping vibration and a more natural pro!le when paired with a so plastic trailer. is lure shines around shallow grass, docks, and wood, especially in stained water where bass rely more on vibration than sight. Chatterbaits o en mimic bluegill or bream, making them deadly around spawning areas and shallow cover. Because chatterbaits use a single heavy hook, anglers bene!t from a slightly di erent rod setup. A 7’ to 7’4” medium-heavy rod with a fast action provides the backbone needed to drive the hook home while still o ering enough tip to keep !sh pinned. is setup also allows anglers to control !sh quickly when pulling them out of thick cover.

Beyond lure, reel, and rod choice, matching the hatch remains one of the most important elements of success. Bass o en focus on a speci!c

WHY BUY NEW WHEN YOU

By NPFL Pro Angler Joey Bloom

forage, and lures that match the size, color, and movement of that prey get bit more consistently. Chrome or white rattle traps imitate %eeing shad in open water, while green pumpkin or bluegillpattern chatterbaits blend perfectly into shallow cover scenarios. To maximize these techniques, anglers must learn to follow the bait throughout the season. In late winter and early spring, bait move toward warming %ats, making rattle traps excellent search tools.

A er the spawn, bluegill become a primary food source, and chatterbaits excel around shallow cover and spawning grounds. In summer, bait o en shi s to deeper grass lines or o shore structure, where slow-rolled chatterbaits can shine. Come fall, shad migrate into the backs of creeks, and rattle traps once again dominate as bass feed aggressively ahead of winter.

By pairing the right vibrating lure with proper reel and rod length and action—and matching it to seasonal forage—anglers can signi!cantly increase e ciency and landing percentage. In bass !shing, success o en comes down to details, and choosing the right reel and rod can be just as important as choosing the right bait.

Follow all of Joey Bloom’s shing and fun on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.

COME JOIN

MPRO FISHING TECHNIQUES TOP 3 PRO TIPS to Catch More Fish

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

any anglers haphazardly run around searching for !sh. ey see a !shy looking point and anchor up and start casting. Hours later they give up and go home empty handed.

at !shy looking point probably does have !sh on it some of the time, but not all the time.

What did they do wrong? ey forgot that !sh move around based on water temperatures, food resources, currents, water quality and the presence of larger predators. In my experience, 80% of the !sh will be in 20% of the area based on those conditions.

Here are the three most important pro tips to help you catch more !sh.

1. Find Feeding Fish. My !shing charters always start by scanning mangrove shorelines, grass %ats, and spoil islands for feeding !sh. Obviously, this is the easiest way to !gure out where the !sh are.

If you can !nd baits being crushed by predatory !sh, then start casting there. Even if you only !nd nervous bait, that’s still a great spot to start casting.

2. Find Food Resources. When the !sh are not actively feeding your next best bet is !nding bait. Sometimes the bait is obvious and you can start casting along the edges of the schools.

If you can’t actually see any bait then let the birds tell you where it is and what size it is. Birds always know where the food is. When you see diving pelicans or a great blue heron perched on a mangrove branch you know there is bait there.

e various bird species will tell you what lures to cast. When you see small wading birds like snowy egrets, little blue herons, green herons and tri-colored herons, then you know to cast something small. is really helps because you can grab your three-inch paddle tail or 2.75 inch shrimp and know that you are !shing with the right size lure. ose smaller herons usually target baits that are three inches or smaller.

When you see great white egrets, great blue herons and brown pelicans it gets a little harder to !gure out the size of the baits to use. You know there is food there but those birds will eat anything from a two-inch minnow up to an eight-inch mullet.

is is when you need an assortment of di erent sizes and pro!les of lures. I usually have a three-inch paddle tail, an arti!cial shrimp and a four to !ve and half inch jerkbait (%uke) rigged on my rods. Start casting until you !gure out what the !sh want on that day.

3. Find Moving Water. e next important factor is moving water. All of the predatory inshore species that you want to catch like a little bit of current.

ey will typically be facing into the current waiting for some unsuspecting food resource to %ow past their ambush point.

Your strongest currents are going to occur during the full moon and the new moon. Coincidentally, the best !shing occurs around these two moon phases.

Go get ‘em!

Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters, is an inshore shing guide who has been shing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass ats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 3392317, email: contact@ shyourasso .com or visit shyourasso .com.

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Every spring, it feels like the bank bite will last forever. Fish are shallow, visible, and predictable cruising, spawning, and guarding fry. It’s the time of year when con!dence is high and decisions feel easy. But like everything in !shing, that window doesn’t stay open long. Before most anglers realize it, the !sh that were once easy to !nd have simply vanished.

at disappearance marks the beginning of what seasoned anglers know as the o shore shi . As water temperatures climb and the spawn wraps up, bass begin pulling away from the bank and setting up on o shore structure. Ledges, shell beds, brush piles, and subtle depth changes start to hold more !sh than the shoreline ever could. It’s not an overnight move, but it happens quickly enough that many !shermen get le behind, still casting to water that’s no longer alive.

One of the biggest mistakes anglers make during this transition is assuming the !sh have stopped biting. In reality, they’ve just relocated. Instead of being scattered along miles of bank, bass begin grouping up in smaller, more de!ned areas. e challenge

TYLER WOOLCOTT

FROM A PRO THE OFFSHORE SHIFT: WHEN BASS LEAVE THE BANK FOR GOOD

shi s from covering water visually to understanding what lies beneath the surface. It becomes less about instinct and more about intention reading depth, structure, and subtle changes that aren’t visible at a glance.

Making the adjustment isn’t always easy, especially for anglers who are comfortable !shing shallow. It requires slowing down, trusting your electronics, and committing to areas that might not show immediate signs of life. But once you connect with your !rst o shore group, everything changes. What felt like a tough day can turn into a %urry of action in just a few casts, o en with better quality !sh than what the bank was o ering.

e o shore shi is more than just a seasonal pattern—it’s a turning point. It separates those who react to changing conditions from those who anticipate them. As summer approaches, the anglers who embrace the move away from the bank will !nd themselves ahead of the curve, dialing in on schools of bass that are no longer pressured by the crowds. And while the shoreline may feel empty, the real action is just a little deeper.

is a professional tournament angler, as well as owner/operator of Florida Big Fish Adventures, providing bass and saltwater guided shing trips: www. oridabig shadventures.com.

Capt. Tyler Woolcott

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