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May 2000 has to be better than April was. Seems like we have had one front after the other, resulting in a few charter cancellations. But we finally got some much-needed rain. As I write this article on April 22, I can tell you that I saw one tarpon on the flats yesterday. He swam right in front of the boat within casting distance. A well-presented fly in front of the path of the big fish would have resulted in a bite. We were using 10 pound test running line with a 30 pound bite leader. The end result would have been either being spooled or a quick break off.
The sky was so blue and water so clear that you could see many types of marine life swimming along the bottom. Bonnet head sharks were scattered everywhere. We were looking for cobia on top of stingrays. Within a few minutes I spotted the first one from the poling platform of the Pro-Line flats skiff.
David and Harry Mathis were on board and began casting the Cotee jigs tipped with shrimp. No luck on the first one as the fish eluded us. The second fish we found, Dave casted perfectly in front of the dark spot (which was a cobia on a ray). Immediately the drag began singing that fine tune. Dave thought we were going to be spooled. However, a little forward momentum with the push pole and the Motorguide twin trolling motors resolved that problem.
Five minutes later, a nice cobia was photographed and released. It was a baby as cobia standards go. But it was a lot of fun on the light tackle Daiwa SS 1300 Tournament reel and rod. Harry managed to get another cobia to eat twice only to spit it out both times. Dave tossed out his jig and wham, here we go again. This cobe was about the same size.
Cobia will be around for several months. My good friend, Capt. John Bazo, guided local resident Scott Brown to the first cobia brought in at MacRae's this year. It was a 26-pounder, and both Scott and John were smiling from ear to ear as they proudly displayed it to me when I rode by them one day last week.
Which reminds me that the cobia tournament that is held every June is going to be bigger and better than ever. The event will be held out of MacRae's on June 10-11. For more information call MacRae's at 352-628-2602.
Just recently I was introduced to a new Mirrolure called the Catch 2000. It is a trout and redfishing catching tool designed for very shallow water. I have caught both trout and redfish on it. I usually fish in less than 4 feet of water when I fish the flats. You will be amazed by this twitch bait. It can be worked in a foot of water.
Best bets for May will be redfish around the creek mouths using Johnson Silver Minnows in the 1/4 or 1/2 ounce size. Try putting a small slip ring onto the eye of the spoon with a #10 barrel swivel to keep line twist to a minimum. Don't forget to add a 30 pound bite leader about 24 inches long.
Trout will be hungry for red 1/8 oz. Cotee jigs with the twin tail or grub tail patterns, in colors of white, pink or green. This jig works great by itself, but I like to put it with the Cajun Thunder Equalizer cork. The corks come in a variety of brightly painted colors so you can easily identify which one is yours. I tie about a 24-30 inch piece of 25 pound test for trout or 30 pound test for reds and then add the jig to one end a cork the other end.
Drifting the flats and popping the corks in sweeping motions followed by pauses until the cork stands up straight results in a lot of bites from trout and other species. For redfish, I like using the larger Baitmate size and like to put on a shrimp or pinfish and let it float in towards the point of a key with an incoming tide.
Offshore action will continue to be excellent when it comes to grouper action. Trolling Mann's Stretch 30's in 20-30 feet of water will produce great results. Best natural baits are live pinfish or spots. Live grunts or sea bass are good, too. Live threadfin herring drive any fish crazy to eat. Dead baits such as Spanish sardines, cigar minnows, squid and cut mullet are necessary when bottom fishing.
Like ole Ernie Lee used to say every morning on Channel 13, get out there and go fishing because it is goooood fer ya'.
Capt. Mike