On Sanibel & Captiva islands, May is a great time of the year to target one of our favorite species, the snook. Snook fishing will continue to improve as the weather continues to warm. These great fishing game-fish begin to move to the Gulf beaches to feed and spawn as the water temperature rises into the high seventies. Snook can be found around the Sanibel Lighthouse, as well as around the passes. Shore-bound anglers should begin walking the beaches looking for schools of snook. Fly anglers often have an advantage over spin fishermen, because stealth is critical when fishing for beach snook, especially on calm days with clear water. Snook can also be found in the back-country around mangroves and oyster bars. Live whitebait is the ultimate bait for snook. Fly fishermen should have a selection of bait-fish imitating streamers including chartreuse and white clousers.
Tarpon fishing should also be excellent this month. Tarpon can be targeted off the Gulf beaches, specifically around Knapp’s Point, Bowman’sBeach on Sanibel and Johnson Shoals outside of Boca Grande Pass. The passes hold large numbers of tarpon, and anglers. Pine Island Sound also holds a lot of tarpon. Anglers should have a livewell full of threadfins, whitebait, or live crabs. Cut baits such as fresh ladyfish or catfish can also be productive tarpon bait. Large size Rapala X-Raps are productive artificial baits. Fly fishermen should use cockroach and toad patterns. Make sure you are prepared for battle with one of these prehistoric monsters. Spin fishermen should use forty of fifty pound braided line, with at least six feet of sixty of eighty pound flourocarbon leader.
Trout fishing is most productive on a strong incoming tide. Anglers should fish in three to five feet of water for trout. Dropoffs on grassflats and around oyster bars are great places to locate trout. Trout fishing is often more productive around dawn and dusk, especially with topwater baits. Aside from providing exciting strikes, topwater baits are a great way to catch a trophy trout. A three inch New Penny Gulp! Shrimp on a jighead is a very productive bait for trout.
If you have any questions about fishing the area, or would like to spend a day on the water, please give us a call, 239-579-0399 or email us at info@whitneysbaitandtackle.com.
