May fishing is outstanding around Southwest Florida
It’s tough to be a Southwest Florida angler this time of year. I like trout and ultra-lite fishing and the trout have been bigger than normal this year. With the same gear I could fish pompano and whiting around the passes and have a great chance at Spanish macs in the same vicinity. Maybe up the gear and fish the passes and the beaches for arriving snook or mangrove points and docks on the way to the beaches as not all snook have arrived yet but, they are catching some really big females now.
Uncle Fred from Kansas said he wanted to pull on something big when they come down. Break out the bucket of rope and let him hand line a Tesla-sized goliath grouper over at the Sanibel Causeway? That should cure him pretty quickly and give him something to brag about for the next 10 years. Too many choices!
Since we’ve got various sized redfish in the surf, on both sides of Charlotte Harbor or east into the back country, maybe pick a low tide period and try a little sight fishing from the poling platform. Another opposite but hot option would be going out to the 100 to 140-foot zone for some outstanding bottom fishing for various grouper, snapper, grunts, Spanish macs and kingfish. Might even encounter some dolphin or even a school of sailfish that far out. What to do?
There’s no question that it’s tarpon time with the most consistent action taking place at Boca Grande Pass using crabs and fishing the 3 a.m. to just after sun-up shift for best action and less crowds. After jumping a few tarpon, maybe Fred could break in my new stand-up harness rig while further upping his bragging game and try for a monster hammerhead that could eat a goliath grouper or at least several tarpon snacks each week.
Yes, welcome to outstanding May fishing here in Southwest Florida where the hardest thing to do is to choose what to fish for. What a terrible problem! Nearly unlimited species to pursue, using the tackle and technique of your choice, calm seas and great weather makes Cape Coral the place to be. As a bonus, less folks on the water and boat ramps and restaurants less crowded, as many of our dear neighbors have headed home. I like it!
If choosing to fish Boca for tarpon with bait, the FWC recommends using non-stainless, non-offset, barb-less circle hooks in the 6/0 to 10/ size. Consult the website for other Boca tackle recommendations and illegal gear. Getting out there at 3 or 4 in the morning is tough for many folks but the fishing can be outstanding with less boats, noise and pressure.
You might say I’ve got a thing for sharks and seeing big, really big, fish in skinny water. This past Wednesday I got a real treat while shallow fishing just outside and along the Burnt Store Bar. Now, I’m not going to say the dorsal fin came up to my belt line a mere 20 yards away but definitely up to my knee as Jaws passed by. With the angle of the sun I couldn’t get a positive ID but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a big bull shark, it was something much longer and made me glad I was wade fishing in skinny territory. For some reason films of giant orcas beaching themselves picking seal pups literally off the sand passed through my mind and soon I was back in the boat.
Many folks don’t realize shallow sharks eat lures and flies and put on some of the best fights you will ever experience. For beach fishing, drones have made shark life easier. Not only can you spot fish but your drone can drop your baited hooks as far out as you need them saving time and danger by having to paddle out in your kayak late at night.
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at 239-579-0461 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.
To reach Capt. GEORGE TUNISON, please email news@breezenewspapers.com