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fve things you should know about 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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ST. AUGUSTINE EDITION

Franchise Owners

Eric & Gina Diesl

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Capt. Tommy Derringer

St. Augustine-Inshore www.inshoreadventures.net

Capt. Robert Johnson

St. Augustine-Offshore www.jodielynncharters.com

Capt. Kirk Waltz Mayport www.enterprisefishingcharters.com

Capt. Tony Bozzella Sisters Creek www.tonybozzella.com

Noel Kuhn Pier & Surf www.thesurfangler.com

Capt. Dominic Anderson Instagram: staugustine_fishing

WEBMASTER

Ryan Clapper

DISTRIBUTION

Bob Bueno

For advertising inquiries, Call Capt. Eric at 904-829-7571 or e-mail eric@coastalanglermagazine.com

Dear Readers,

May in Northeast Florida is the month when the whole fishery exhales and stretches into summer. The inshore marshes wake up fast—flood tides return with consistency, pushing redfish onto the grass where they tail with that deliberate, unhurried confidence you only see this time of year. Shrimp pour back into the estuaries, and everything from trout to flounder takes advantage of the buffet. The ICW edges around Palm Valley, Matanzas, and the Sisters Creek area come alive on moving water, especially early and late when the heat hasn’t settled in. It’s a transitional rhythm: the last cool mornings, the first real pops of bait, and fish that feed with a kind of spring urgency.

Offshore, May is a wide‑open invitation. The nearshore reefs start holding more consistent kingfish, and the first waves of big smokers often show when the water hits that magic mid‑70s range. Cobia linger around rays and wrecks, sometimes sliding right up the beach on calm days. Farther out, mahi begin their steady push north, riding weedlines and temperature breaks that form after a stretch of stable weather. It’s a month that rewards mobility and awareness—watch the color changes, track the bait, and be ready to shift gears. May isn’t subtle; it’s a full bloom of opportunity, and every part of the Northeast Florida coastline feels like it’s waking up hungry.

We are excited to share our Facebook page that will now feature more articles and links to local events happening throughout the month. www.facebook.com/CAMStAugustine. Please send in pictures, tournament dates and ideas for articles to us at: gina@ coastalanglermagazine.com.

We currently have a choice of advertising options available ranging from print & digital to video & social. If you would like us to add your business to our monthly delivery route or any other assistance you may need, please contact us:

Capt. Eric Diesl - 904-829-7571

Eric@coastalanglermagazine.com

Gina Diesl - 904-540-2311 Gina@coastalanglermagazine.com

You will find our St. Augustine edition in print for free at over 200 fine local retailers every month as well as online at coastalanglermag.com & vidmag.com.

Until next month, we wish you tight lines and warm breezes.

- Capt. Eric & Gina

Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Inshore

By Capt. Tommy Derringer

The Spring fishing has been awesome and lots of fish were caught, but summer is coming. Yeah, it’ll be hot out there, but the fishing will be hot as well! We have some big changes in our fishing patterns coming up over the next couple of months as the water starts to really warm up inshore and the beach fishing action really starts to fire off. Redfish and trout will be blasting top-water plugs at first and last light and the cobia, tarpon, and sharks will invade the beaches. You have got to love summertime fishing in Northeast Florida!

Some of my favorite inshore/backcountry fishing for redfish and trout will occur right at sunrise and again at dusk this time of year (you can also beat some of that heat). Top-water plugs are one of my go-to lures during those times of day. The fish will be heavily feeding, and they’ll be more than willing to crash your lure on the surface. Mullet should be invading all the creeks and flats in our area by now and the adage “match the hatch” couldn’t be truer. I like to use a “walk-thedog” type plug in a baitfish pattern to perfectly mimic an injured mullet. If you do opt for the “walk-thedog” type lure mentioned above be sure to practice making the bait walk side to side. I’ve seen many fish ignore a top-water if it’s just dragged past them, only to

have them smash it the next time the lure is properly “walked”. Once the sun is higher in the sky you may want to switch to a sub-surface lure or bait. My clients have been having great success using the Saltwater Assassin paddle tails rigged on a 1/8oz jighead or a weedless style hook. It looks just like a small mullet or minnow and can fished in a bunch of different ways. The tail on the Saltwater Assassin produces quite a thump when worked through the water. With murkier water being the norm heading into summer, this can be a huge advantage as the fish will be able to home in on the lure much easier. This is also a great month for the Bull reds at the inlets, bridges, and nearshore reefs. Half a crab or a piece of cut mullet on the bottom will work great. Just make sure to give those breeders a healthy release.

Just as the mullet will be invading the inshore areas look for the pogy (menhaden) pods to be all over the beach. The pogies bring in all kind of fishing opportunities this time year. The cobia should be hanging around depending on what the water temps do, and the tarpon should start to show as well (They have been here since last month, but more should be on the way!). Sharks, huge jacks, kingfish, and more will all be pulling up a chair to feed on the bait pods. A great way to fish the pods is to slowly idle around looking for the ones that have some pogies getting thrown around. The biggest mistake I see while fishing the beach is when anglers get too close or charge right up to the bait while the outboard motor is still on. Try using the trolling motor or just drifting within casting range. You’ll see a lot more fish and more importantly catch more too. While you’re out there along the beaches don’t forget to check out the shrimp boats and their by-catch… There’s almost always something BIG lurking around those slicks to play with! .

Fishing Report & Forecast St. Augustine Offshore

By Capt. Robert Johnson

WHAT’S ON YOUR WISH LIST?

What do you want to catch? May brings the best opportunity to target a large variety of species. Would you like Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, a Billfish, or Grouper, Amberjack, Mutton Snapper or a host of other reef fish species. This year, thanks to Governor De Santis, the Red Snapper opening will hopefully be May 22nd.

May is probably the best month for Gulfstream fishing. Mahi show up in large numbers, Tuna are still around, Wahoo, and Billfish hang around as well. The water is still cool inshore so pelagic fish are bunched up on the Gulfstream Highway. This is the trolling game and we typically pull a mixture of monofilament and wire rigs with normal spreads of 8 lines - 2 from the bridge, 4 from the outriggers, a flatline and 1 down deep. Teasers on each side increase your odds tremendously. Medium ballyhoo is our bait of choice. Look for temperature

breaks, weed lines or bait, and you will find the fish. If you find all 3 combined, you should be in the meat.

EDITION IS AVAILABLE EVERY MONTH AT CoastalAnglerMag.com/e-magazine/staug

If trolling isn’t your thing or you don’t want to make the 50-mile run to the Gulfstream, bottom fishing will be good from 100ft on out. All grouper species open May 1st, and the Mangrove and Mutton Snapper will be chewing as well. Grouper require heavy tackle and is a man against beast battle. One hundred# leader is suggested. I always tell people act like there’s a million dollars on the end of your line. The first 10 to 15 feet is critical because they will do everything in their power to get back into the structure. Mangrove and Mutton Snapper require a little more finesse with lighter, longer leaders required for bites. I like 60-to-80-pound monofilament but may go as light as 30 pounds. Ten to 15 ft is normal length. I match the hook size to the bait I’m using and just enough weight to get to the bottom.

Hopefully Red Snapper will open on May 22nd. I encourage everyone to let the Governor know that we fully support state management of Red Snapper and his efforts to reopen the fishery.

“Let’s go Fishing” Captain Robert Johnson (904)540-2628

Jodielynncharters.com

Jlfishing@bellsouth.net

Fishing Report & Forecast Ponte Vedra Inshore

By Dominic Anderson

The arrival of May heralds the transition to peak spring conditions within the estuarine waters surrounding St. Augustine, Florida. This period offers some of the most reliable and productive inshore fishing opportunities of the calendar year. Elevated water temperatures and extended daylight hours stimulate significant migration and aggregation of baitfish, which, in turn, draws key predatory species into predictable feeding patterns throughout the extensive marsh system, oyster habitats, and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).

during the pre-dawn hours are all highly effective choices. Sight fishing, utilizing a light jig head coupled with scented plastic (e.g., Gulp! Shrimp), yields particularly favorable results on the shallow flats.

May represents an outstanding month for pursuing slot-sized Redfish (defined as 18” to 27”) across the entirety of the region. Redfish exhibit vigorous feeding activity and are typically situated in shallow grass flats during the high tide cycle, Redfish penetrate the flooded spartina grass and shallow, oyster flats, frequently displaying “tailing” behavior as they forage for fiddler crabs and shrimp. Lower tide, schools of Redfish generally congregate deep oyster bars, creek mouths, and the structured banks of the ICW, awaiting the outflow of your tasty bait. Live shrimp remains the preferred offering, deployed either beneath a popping cork apparatus or free-lined. Finger mullet and mud minnows are similarly potent, particularly when fished in proximity to moving water. Soft plastics (paddletails in chartreuse or root beer coloration) presented on a 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz jig head, and topwater lures

Seatrout activity dramatically intensifies in May as the fish vacate their wintering grounds and feed aggressively in preparation for their spawning cycle. Seatrout favor locations offering optimal ambush cover and strong water movement. Zones where the shallow flat abruptly descends into the main channel depth. Areas where current flows over shell-bottom structures or around pronounced points consistently prove productive. A lively shrimp suspended under a popping cork is virtually irresistible to Seatrout. Soft plastic jerk baits and grub tails are remarkably effective. They should be worked with a deliberate “twitch, pause, twitch” retrieval pattern. Topwater plugs (such as the Skitter Walk or Zara Spook), fished at sunrise or sunset, often provoke explosive strikes from larger “gator” trout specimens.

The Flounder bite achieves consistent strength throughout May as these flatfish establish themselves in preferred ambush locations. Areas characterized by strong current pushing forage. Vertical structures consistently attract Flounder (HINT). The downstream side of a sand bar where the current creates a pronounced drop-off! The most efficacious bait is a live mud minnow or finger mullet, presented on a small Kahle hook (or jig head) and retrieved very slowly along the bottom.

This concentrated current flow effectively funnels baitfish, simplifying predation for the target species. May provides a superior combination of consistent action and species diversity within the picturesque ICW. Early departure, coupled with a focus on current and structural elements, nearly guarantees a successful fishing excursion. See YOU out on the pond or in the ditch, lets go fishing!

Capt. Dominic (904)-962-6184 Instagram:staugustine_fishing

The boys are back in town.

Photo courtesy of Tim Ward.

Luca’s first Florida fishing expedition.

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Dotson

Luca! Photo

Jeremy Dotson

Photo

Tim Ward

Fishing Report & Forecast Pier and Surf

By Noel Kuhn

This month is an exciting time to surf fish! The water is finally back above 70 degrees which means almost every fish we can catch in the surf is here. Last May I caught eleven different species one morning. They were Pompano, Whiting, Redfish, Black Drum, Croakers, Spots, Jacks Crevalle, Spadefish, Ladyfish and Blacktip sharks. All of them were caught on fresh killed shrimp and Sand Flea flavored Fishbites. Well, there was one exception. I caught the Blacktip using the Ladyfish.

There will be plenty of Spotted Seatrout and Weakfish in the surf. Especially in the early morning. I use two tactics when chasing these trout. First is a light weight seven to nine foot rod with a small reel spooled up

with ten pound braid. With this set up I throw top water or suspending lures. These trout come up in knee deep water feeding on small Whiting and Pompano. My ideal morning is when the waves are small and the wind is minimal. I like to wade in knee deep water and cast north and south vs throwing as far east as possible. Next I throw north and south at a 45 degree angle. After that I walk 20 yards and repeat.

My second tactic for trout is a live shrimp under a weighted popping cork. I only use an 18 inch long leader of 20 pound mono. You will have less tangles on your cast it you add a small split shot just a few inches above your hook. I learned this from Captain Kevin Faver, just before your shrimp hits the water stop the line. The split shot will swing the shrimp away from your cork resulting in only a rare tangle.

May is also the best month for catching Blacktip sharks. They are closely following the northward migration of the Pompano. My favorite bait is a Pompano head. However anything you catch in the surf will work. Even a catfish head will work. The most versatile bait is the head half of a medium size Whiting. Because a big Redfish will also gobble up a Whiting. The picture is of my angler Charlie. That big Redfish was caught with a 10/0 hook and 18 inches of 480 pound cable leader.

Get out and enjoy this great weather on our beautiful beaches. Tight Lines!

Fuel up. Cast out.

Noel Kuhn

MAY2026

TUE 04:55 AM 4.46 H 11:01 AM 0.19 L 05:25 PM 5.04 H 11:41 PM 0.40 L

13 WED 05:50 AM 4.51 H 11:49 AM -0.17 L 06:17 PM 5.45 H

14 THU 12:36 AM -0.00 L 06:43 AM 4.58 H 12:38 PM -0.51 L 07:07 PM 5.80 H

15 FRI 01:28 AM -0.39 L 07:35 AM 4.66 H 01:28 PM -0.79 L 07:58 PM 6.06 H

16 SAT 02:18 AM -0.69 L 08:26 AM 4.71 H 02:18 PM -0.96 L 08:48 PM 6.19 H

17 SUN 03:08 AM -0.84 L 09:18 AM 4.73 H 03:08 PM -1.00 L 09:40 PM 6.18 H

18 MON 03:59 AM -0.84 L 10:11 AM 4.71 H 04:01 PM -0.89 L 10:34 PM 6.07 H

19 TUE 04:52 AM -0.71 L 11:06 AM 4.66 H 04:56 PM -0.67 L 11:29 PM 5.87 H

20 WED 05:49 AM -0.50 L 12:03 PM 4.61 H 05:57 PM -0.37 L

21 THU 12:25 AM 5.61 H 06:48 AM -0.28 L 01:01 PM 4.58 H 07:01 PM -0.06 L

22 FRI 01:23 AM 5.32 H 07:47 AM -0.12 L 02:03 PM 4.58 H 08:07 PM 0.19 L

23 SAT 02:22 AM 5.03 H 08:44 AM -0.01 L 03:06 PM 4.65 H 09:12 PM 0.37 L

24 SUN 03:22 AM 4.75 H 09:38 AM 0.05 L 04:08 PM 4.78 H 10:14 PM 0.47 L

25 MON 04:22 AM 4.51 H 10:28 AM 0.07 L 05:06 PM 4.93 H 11:13 PM 0.49 L

26 TUE 05:18 AM 4.32 H 11:17 AM 0.08 L 05:58 PM 5.07 H

27 WED 12:08 AM 0.43 L 06:11 AM 4.18 H 12:04 PM 0.07 L 06:45 PM 5.16 H

28 THU 12:59 AM 0.32 L 07:00 AM 4.10 H 12:49 PM 0.05 L 07:28 PM 5.20 H

29 FRI 01:45 AM 0.20

Advertising Account Executives -- Coastal Angler Magazine is seeking experienced Advertising Account Executives in St. Johns, Flagler or Putnam County. Our ideal candidates will have a minimum of two years’ previous advertising sales experience and be familiar with the creative requirements of the advertising field. We are looking for advertising industry professionals who understand relations selling and who can manage multiple accounts and professional fol low-up as part of a daily routine. In an era when other print publications are shrinking, Coastal Angler Magazine, through its co-publisher business model, has achieved exponential growth and industry leader status. Qualified candidates interested in the position should submit a one-page resume to the contact information provided.

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

www.adamsmarine.com To Reserve a Spot Call: 352-447-1950 Email: info@adamsmarine.com

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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