Inshore - It's been awesome fishing (catching) for the first two weeks of May. I like it when a plan comes together. Inshore fishing is off the charts right now and should continue for the next three or four weeks. The Speck's are on the move, finding their way out of the deep waters onto the flats in search of lots of food to fatten up for their first spawn of the season. Stay close to deep structure for the big fish, the big females will make their way onto the flats; you just have to be at the right place at the right time to catch her. Remember she didn't grow big because she was dumb. Stay with top water plugs early and then go with sub-surface baits after the sun gets up. The live bait of choice right now is shrimp, the LY's and menhaden should be close to getting here and when they do then they will be the go to bait. Slot Red fish are starting to school up on the flats. They are easier to catch when they're schooling along with you can have a great day catching them when they're in this pattern. They don't spook as easily and will usually eat anything that they can catch. Keep a close watch on the flats you'll see these schools of reds soon.
Near-shore –Some say there is a shortage of Red Snapper, I'm here to tell you, the three places I went to last Friday there's no shortage. We caught lots of quality Red Snapper and when we got by them we caught Trigger fish and short Grouper. We did go to a spot that is known to hold Amberjack and they were there. We caught twelve AJ's all close to or over the new 30" inch length limit, and on light tackle man what a blast. Most all the fish were caught on Pin Fish, which was the only live bait we had. While out there I saw Kings chasing bait, False Albacore busting bait, Spanish mackerel feeding on bait. Lots of action, just what the spring has to offer here in the Northwest Panhandle of Florida.
A man never stands as tall as when he helps teach a child how to fish.
I know one thing for sure - You ain't going to catch'em sittin' on the couch!!
So get out there, take a kid fishing and have a Blessed Day!
Professional Fishing Guide
Capt. Eddie Woodall
Full Net Fishing Charters L.L.C.
850-936-8203
www.fullnetcharters.com
A special thanks to my sponsors:
Blazer Bay Boats, Yamaha Outboards, SPRO Fishing Tackle, Gamakatsu Hooks, Big Bite Baits Inc.
Pure Fishing Select Anglers Program, Berkley Gulp, ABU Garcia, Shakespeare Fishing, All-Star Rods,
Penn Reels, X-Tools, Seven Strand, Johnson, Fenwick, Stren, Berkley, Spider and Pflueger.
Lee Fisher Bait Buster Cast Nets.
