Coastal Angler Magazine | Tampa Bay May 2026 Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

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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

When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to specifed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

If you fnanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

5. Progressive offers specialized boat coverages

Ever worry about getting stuck on the water? Progressive’s Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage** can help. It’s an additional coverage that steps in if your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, paying for on-water towing, jump starts, soft ungroundings, and fuel delivery. Fuel cost isn’t included.

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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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Inshore Slam Fishing in Tampa Bay

TAMPA BAY FISHING REPORT

Inshore slam fishing, which involves catching snook, redfish, and seatrout in a single trip, is one of the most sought-after challenges for anglers in Tampa Bay. The Bay’s diverse ecosystem and abundance of these fish species make it an ideal destination for both amateur and experienced fishermen.

Snook are prized for their aggressive strikes and impressive fighting abilities. They are found throughout Tampa Bay, especially near mangroves, docks, and seawalls. Snook can be caught year-round, but they are most active from spring to early fall. Snook prefer warmer waters and are often found in areas with good tidal flow.

Redfish, also known as red drum, are another popular target for inshore anglers. Redfish are known for their powerful runs and can be found in a variety of habitats, including grass flats, oyster beds, and mangrove shorelines. Redfish are typically caught using live bait or artificial lures.

Seatrout, or spotted seatrout, are abundant in Tampa Bay, especially in grassy areas and over sandy bottoms. Seatrout are known for their delicate flesh and are often targeted by anglers looking to catch their limit quickly. Seatrout are most commonly caught using scaled sardines, live shrimp, or soft plastic lures.

Using live bait is one of the most effective ways to catch snook, redfish, and seatrout in Tampa Bay. Common live baits include scaled sardines, live shrimp, and pinfish. Anglers typically use a light-tackle setup with a 2/0 hook and a 25to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader to avoid spooking the fish. Free-lining live bait or using a popping cork can attract these species and entice them to strike.

Artificial lures are also a popular choice for targeting these inshore species. Soft plastic lures, topwater plugs, and spoons can mimic the movement of baitfish and attract strikes from snook, redfish, and seatrout. Using a slow, steady retrieve or a twitching motion can be effective at enticing these fish to bite.

Weedon Island Preserve is known for its diverse habitats, including mangroves, grass flats, and oyster beds. The preserve’s shallow waters and abundant baitfish make it a prime location for inshore slam fishing.

Fort De Soto Park is another hotspot for inshore fishing in Tampa Bay. Its mix of sandy beaches, grass flats, and deep channels attracts snook, redfish, and seatrout. The park’s accessibility and variety of fishing spots make it a favorite among local anglers.

The upper portion of Tampa Bay, including Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay, is known for its productive fishing grounds. The area’s tidal creeks and mangrove shorelines provide excellent habitat for snook, redfish, and seatrout. This region is ideal for anglers looking to explore less crowded fishing spots.

—Tampa Bay fishing guide Wade Osborne of “Afishionado Guide Services” has been plying the waters of Tampa Bay as a professional full-time captain, since 1997. Capt. Osborne offers inshore fishing charters on light tackle spin, fly or plug. He also offers eco-tours with an emphasis on photography. For more info., visit Afishionado.com or find Afishionado Guide Services on Facebook and Instagram. Email: wade.afishionado@gmail.com | Call/Text 813-286-3474

Unlikely Habitat

My mentor, Professor Beth Forys at Eckerd College, assigned us a project in our Conservation Biology class to monitor native Green Tree Frogs. The project involved testing PVC pipes of different sizes to determine which diameter they preferred. We drove the pipes vertically into the ground in likely habit areas. We then monitored the use of the PVC pipes over the semester.

Over the years, I’ve noticed PVC pipes in parks and natural areas that were installed for other purposes. Two of the pipes here were used to mark the locations of the Gopher Tortoise burrows for the lawn mowers. But they’ve consequently created a good, safe home and hunting perch for the pictured Regal Jumping Spiders and Green Tree Frog. So, you never know what you can experiment with in your own yard to help attract and provide habitat for wildlife. Might even get a little natural pest control out of it!

CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER

BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES

Spanish Mackerel and Family Fun

May signals the start of some of the best fishing Tampa Bay has to offer. From Double Branch in the north to Bishop Harbor in the south, anglers enjoy exceptional inshore opportunities throughout the region. As water temperatures rise, snook begin migrating from creeks and rivers to the flats and passes in preparation for spawning around the first full moon of May.

Redfish and trout that inhabit the flats year-round start feeding heavily on greenback sardines. This seasonal influx of bait fuels spring fishing and typically lasts until the first cold front of fall. Look for bait along the mangroves, as game fish are rarely far behind.

Spanish mackerel and cobia also follow bait schools inside the Skyway Bridge. Larger concentrations tend to hold near tripods, artificial reefs, and rocky-bottom areas from Channel A, just inside the bridge, north to the Howard Frankland Bridge. Spanish mackerel, in particular, provide fast-paced action and consistent results, making them a favorite target for my clients. I often begin the day by locating a large school to get the bite started. Once 30 to 40 fish are landed, it’s time to move on to the next opportunity.

My approach to Spanish mackerel fishing is simple. Locate the bait, anchor, and establish a steady chum line to keep fish feeding behind the boat. Cut greenbacks work well, as does a five-pound block of frozen chum. Light-action tackle is ideal: a 7½-foot rod, a 2500-size spinning reel spooled

with 10-pound braided line, a No. 1 XX-long shank hook, and approximately 30 inches of 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. The long shank hook eliminates the need for a wire leader and results in more strikes.

Hillsborough County maintains six artificial reefs that consistently produce Spanish mackerel. GPS coordinates and additional information are available through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which also provides a printed brochure upon request.

Spanish mackerel are an excellent option for families fishing with children. While redfish and snook can be rewarding, they are often harder to locate and less aggressive. Mackerel offer nonstop action that keeps young anglers engaged. One recent trip with the Davis family resulted in more than 50 mackerel landed, with many more lost to cutoffs. For Adrian, who chose a fishing trip to celebrate his 13th birthday, it was an unforgettable day on the water—and a great reminder of the value of getting kids outdoors and away from screens.

PS: Captain Sergio will host the 5th Annual Free Kids Fishing Clinic on June 6 at Picnic Island Park. The first 100 registered children will receive a rod and reel, a tackle box with gear, and hands-on instruction. The clinic is open to children ages 6–14. Registration is required. For details, email atanes@msn. com or call 813-973-7132.

— Capt. Sergio Atanes is host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report on Facebook and YouTube. He also hosts Fishing Adventures Florida TV show airing on YouTube, Waypoint TV, Carbon TV, Outdoor Action, and Angling TV. Owner of Reelfishy.com Charter business covering the west coast of Florida with over 135 captains on staff. For information contact Capt. Sergio at (813) 973-7132 email: atanes@msn.com.

NEW PORT RICHEY REPORT

BY: CAPT. BILL RUTHERFORD

Bring On The Sunshine And Warm Water, Summer Is Finally Here.

Nobody is more excited than I am about finally being able to retire those hoodies and deck boots for 6 more months as we make our way into the warm, humid embrace of the Florida summer. This time of

year changes fishing in our area in a great way and makes it much more predictable. You can set your clock by the storms rolling in come afternoon, and the water temps won’t be fluctuating for much longer; it will just be plain old hot until October.

That warm water makes our snook stack up out on the beach and sandbar area of Anclote Key, where they will be cruising for the next several months. The best way I have found to catch these is to get out there before the partygoers do (nighttime is even better) and find big baits to throw their way. Grunts, ladyfish, mullet, and large threadies will work for these big girls. Chuck them up on the beach sand, pull them back into the water near the schools, and hang on. Pilchards can work, but they aren’t the best choice for the beach fish.

Redfish will be moving across the flats in big but scattered numbers. Earlier in the morning, on lower tides, you will be able to find them in large schools roaming the flats from the Anclote to the Cotee River. You don’t have to get up early for them, though. Using a cut pinfish will work at any time of day; you may have to wait a bit longer for the bite than when they

are in schools. Not many secrets to this, find yourself some mangrove line where there is a bit of water movement and mullet moving around, and you will find the redfish!

Lastly, be on the lookout for the silver kings moving through. They are already showing up, and this will only get better by next month!

— Captain Bill is a Florida native who grew up fishing the Gulf Coast. Being a proud Army Vet himself, he founded a charity called VetCatch that takes disabled veterans on cost free fishing trips in the Tampa Bay area. He guides out of New Port Richey fishing a 24-foot Shoalwater tower boat as well as the custom 25-foot VetCatch pontoon if needed for elderly/disabled fisherman. www.rustybucket.fish.

BY: CAPT. FRANK HUTCHKO

Offshore Nearshore Report

Nearshore: The Hogfish bite remains decent in 45 to 70 feet right now on hard bottom and the tops of ledges. Simple knocker rigs or hog ball jigs with shrimp are doing the trick. The Spanish mackerel and kingfish have arrived, and we are finding them under the birds and around bait balls in 15 to 25 feet of water. A good old Drone spoon on a planer has been hot!

Offshore: The red grouper bite has been good in 120 to 145 feet, with lane snapper on just about every spot. So, dead-sticking a grouper rod while bailing lanes is a good way to load the boxes. Our for-hire American red snapper dates were just announced, and we will be targeting ARS and grouper from June 1st through October 25th! Definitely an extended season this year, so get your dates booked with us before prime spots are gone.

Capt. Frank Hutchko, owner of SkirtChaser Charters, a 21-year veteran-owned business, specializes in offshore fishing charters running out of Johns Pass/Madeira Beach, FL. Trips range from 4-12 hours and go out from 15-150 miles on their beautiful, fast 36’ Yellowfin. They have won the “Best of Florida” 4 years running and help locals and vacationers make memories that last a lifetime! | For more info, text or call Capt. Frank at 941-786-4620 or CaptainFrank@SkirtChaserCharters.com

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX IT UP

Whether you like fishing with live bait, cut bait, or artificial baits, some days it might pay off to have a mix of baits to fish with as water temperatures rise or weather conditions change during the day. Some days, the fish might catch on to what you are throwing, and changing it up can extend your bite in an area before you leave to find another productive spot.

I like to use both artificial and live baits. One advantage I had growing up was that I started off as a bass fisherman, using 90% artificials and usually nightcrawlers for the other 10%. This allowed me to really hone my skills with hard and soft plastic baits on largemouth bass.

I started using the same lures in saltwater with great success, along with using live shrimp. Then I was introduced to creek chubs, pinfish, and scaled sardines, which was a whole other world of fishing and techniques. Just as artificials have techniques to catch more fish, so does live bait, and so does how to present them.

The good thing is that you can use both to catch more fish. For example, if you are fishing a new area, you can fan cast a topwater lure to search for fish.

BY: CAPT. GEORGE HASTICK

This is especially helpful on the flats when looking for reds and trout. A topwater lure will cast very far and cover a lot of area. It is also loud to help attract fish from a distance to strike the lure. Once you start getting strikes in an area, you can live chum scaled sardines in that area to really fire up the bite and switch to live bait. Now, this tactic can also be used in reverse: if you really like catching fish on artificial baits but they just aren’t biting, you can live chum to fire them up and continue using artificial baits.

Now, if you are an artificial enthusiast, there is a sense of pride and accomplishment when you fool a fish and catch him purely on an artificial bait without any outside help, but I am just trying to show techniques to catch more fish. So go out and don’t be afraid to mix it up, you might be surprised with the success you have!

Good luck, Capt. George

— Capt. George Hastick of “Fish Hunter Fishing Charters” in St. Petersburg, Fl. is the co-host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report and co-hosts Fishing Adventures Florida which is on five streaming channels and You Tube. He has been fishing the waters of the Tampa Bay area for over 40 years and guiding over 20 years.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT -

By: Capt. George Hastick

Fishooz Fishing Shoes

Dryshod waterproof footwear has launched a new line of fishing footwear called Fishooz. It consists of three series of shoes, Sunwashed, Sunbrella, and my favorite, the Dryrun series. All the styles are built on a sneaker platform for stability and comfort, featuring a molded-in shank for arch support and a breathable Airmesh lining. They have a lightweight and durable Dureva TM outsole with a grippy Starliner tread for unsurpassed traction in rough conditions. They are all fully buoyant, so if one goes overboard, there’s no worry. The models with eyelets or vent ports are made of rust-resistant metal, so your shoes stay looking great, and they all have removable liners.

The Sunwashed series is a water-repellent, nylon/cotton-blend canvas deck-style shoe. It is the lighter duty of the three, but a very stylish shoe built for being on the boat.

The Sunbrella series, the name says it all. Sunbrella material is completely colorfast and saltwater-resistant. They build T-tops with this material, so you know these shoes are up to the task and will last in marine environments. Both the Sunwashed and the Sunbrella series offer slip-on or laced options.

My favorite, the Dryrun series, comes only in a slip-on version, in either a shoe or ankle boot style, to keep it waterproof. They are 100% completely waterproof, made of neoprene and natural rubber. The Airmesh lining makes all these shoes very comfortable for all-day fishing/boating. I have made the Dryrun series my go-to shoe for my charters because they keep my feet dry and comfortable all day, even after throwing the cast net in the morning.

Here is the link for their website: www.dryshodusa.com/fishooz. You can use the store locator or order directly. They are also in many of the Bass Pro Shops.

Be Ready For May

If there was ever a month to leave the dock prepared for anything, this is it. Depending on where you fish, water temperatures will be somewhere in the upper 70s or low 80s. Ideal for just about every species of fish that call our Gulf waters home. Massive bait schools seem to be everywhere. As a captain, I have one eye looking straight ahead while the other tries to assess if altering our course to explore what may be lurking below is a prudent use of time. The struggle to stay committed to that first waypoint you punched into your MFD is real!

The big Spanish and kingfish run may be over, but there will still be stragglers all month that make a welcome addition to any fish box. We tend to have more cobia and blackfin tuna show up behind the boat in May than at any other time of year. It’s a little early for Mahi, but in my experience, the ones that do show up now are normally gaffers. All are fish that can absolutely make or break a trip in the blink of an eye. Sometimes they will hang behind the boat for a few minutes. Other times, you have 30 seconds, and they are gone. Being prepared for whatever may show up in your chum slick is key to taking advantage of every opportunity.

We teach our crews to spend the drive time out to the first spot preparing for anything we may encounter that day, not just the target species. I like to have 4 medium-heavy-duty spinning outfits rigged and ready to go in the rocket

BY: CAPT. T J SHEA

launchers. And not just randomly in the rocket launchers, always the outside 2 on each side. The easiest to grab and throw. One will be a Yo-Zuri opper with about 5 feet of leader. Another will be either a Yo-Zuri crystal minnow or a medium-sized Yo-Zuri lipped plug. I have had more luck tching a variety of pelagics and cobia on these than anything else over the years. My last 2 combos will both be free line setups. I’ll attach a ¼ oz split shot weight to one of them just to give me the ability to toss a bait out as far away from the boat as I can before free-lin ing it out. One will have a lighter 20-40lb leader, while the other will be a bit heavier at 60lb. Most likely, you will not have time to re-rig if what you initially toss doesn’t work.

Those of you who have already had the good fortune to experience this know how chaotic it can get in a short time. Those of you who have not fished long enough, your time will come. Over the years, I have been on both ends of the pendulum. I have witnessed more than 1 argument break out between crew when the moment passed them by. I have also taken advantage of that extremely rare Gulf billfish visit, which, 20 years later, still lives on in the story every time Fred Dean fishes with us. Be prepared for every moment, and in 20 years, you may have a story to relive.

— Capt. TJ Shea. Owner/Operator 2 Shea Fishing and Diving Charters. TJ has been exploring above and below the Gulf of Mexico since he was 8 years old. Contact us at 813-385-2169 and at info@fishanddivetampa.com

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

It’s no fsh tale when you run with a John Deere. You can get everything done faster and easier, so you get more time on the water. Plus, our special offers make them the catch of the day.

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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