Navarre Fishing Forecasts
Navarre Fishing Forecast June 2013
June is a one of the best months for our local fishery and it is the start of the real summer here in the Navarre area. The weather is normally mild in the morning with pop up thunderstorms most afternoons and pretty much everything that swims in our fishery is available.
SOUNDS, BAYS AND RIVERS
Most game fish will be feeding on the schools of baitfish and shrimp on the grass flats. Shallow water sight fishing early in the morning for redfish and trout along the grass flats in the sound and east bay can be especially productive. Top water fishing opportunities for redfish, speckled trout, blue fish, and ladyfish early in the morning and late afternoon is very effective as well. Flounder will be invading the bays and sounds too and will readily attack tiger minnows and soft plastics fished around potholes on the flats as well as around deep structure. Almost all of these species are structure oriented fish so pay attention to docks, bridge pilings, oyster bars and drop offs. Early morning and late afternoon will be the better times to fish. Fishing at night around lighted docks for redfish and trout is also productive. Fly fishing with small white or black size 4 clouser minnow is highly effective presentation and will out fish live bait at times.
SURF AND PIER FISHING
The king and Spanish mackerel bite should be in full swing on the pier. The pier will also be producing blackfin tuna, tarpon, sharks, and the occasional mahi or sailfish. In the surf the Pompano fishing will most likely slow a little this month. Ladyfish (skipjack) and blue fish will make up for the lack of pompano and will be available all summer long. From here on out it is best to fish early in the morning and late afternoons. Fishing the hottest part of the day can be very slow.
NEARSHORE AND OFFSHORE GULF
June 1st kicks off the beginning of red snapper season and should last for 44 days in state water and 27 days in federal waters this year, unless the powers that be decide differently as they have in the past. So make sure to keep up with the FWC news broadcast for any changes. Schools of Bonita, Spanish and king mackerel will be in and around area passes. Be sure to check out the buoys in and near the pass, this time of year they will hold some cobia and the occasional triple tail. Slow trolling live baits, spoons or Duster rigs are very effective for king and Spanish mackerel, but don’t be surprised if you hook into a bull Redfish, monster Jack Crevalle, Cobia or even a Dolphin. Red and scamp grouper, amberjack, red snapper, land snapper, and vermillion snapper bite should remain good in 60 to 200 plus feet of water. Don’t forget that trigger fish will be off limits to harvest until from June 1 to July 31. Further off shore Dolphin, Wahoo and other game fish will be showing up more frequently.
Navarre Forecast May 2013
May is here and everything that swims in our area should be available. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us and bring gentle south east winds. Because south east winds traditionally push plenty of bait fish closer to shore as well as the pelagic species that feed on them.
SOUNDS, BAYS AND RIVERS
May is one of the best times of year to fish inshore in our area. All the fish have returned to the grass flats to feed on the schools of bait fish, crabs and shrimp that will be there until next winter. May is a great time to try some shallow water sight fishing early in the morning and late in the evening for redfish. May is also a great time of year to break out your top water baits for speckled trout and redfish. Don’t be surprised though is a Spanish, bluefish or lady fish blows up on your top water baits as well. Lastly, flounder will be invading the bays and sounds and can be found around structure and the pot holes around the grass flats.
SURF AND PIER FISHING
The Pompano fishing should remain good all this month. Spanish mackerel, blue fish, ladyfish, and redfish should also be available as they attack most anything that resembles a small bait fish. King Mackerel, bonita, sharks, cobia, and the occasional mahi or blackfin tuna will also make their presence know as more and more bait fish are pushed closer and closer to shore this month. From here on out the weather and the fishing in the surf and pier will only get hotter.
NEARSHORE AND OFFSHORE GULF
The Spanish and king mackerel bite will be in full swing by May and as the water temp heats up so will the action. Slow trolling live baits, spoons or Duster rigs are very effective. Bonita, mahi, and the occasional triple tail will also be available as the weed lines build up and get pushed in closer to shore. The grouper bite and amberjack bite should remain good in 150 plus feet of water and possibly less especially on live bottom. There will also be plenty of red snapper around, but remember the season remains closed until June 1. Offshore mahi, wahoo and the occasional blackfin tuna will begin to be landed in greater numbers as more and more bait fish is pushed in closer to shore.
Until next month, get out there!
Navarre Fishing Forecast April 2013
At last, April brings some predictability in our area. The beginning of this month can start out a little slow, but if the weather remains warm and dry the fishing can be unbelievable. The cobia and pompano fishing should be in full swing by now.
Inshore most if not all salt water species will have migrated out of the river systems and onto the grass flats following the bait fish and shrimp. They will remain here for the spring, summer and early fall. This is a good time to try some shallow water sight fishing early in the morning for Redfish. This is also a great time of year to break out your favorite top water lure to target the gator trout that will following the mullet schools.
April is also one of the most productive times for pier and surf fishermen in our area. With cobia, spanish, pompano, redfish, bluefish, and sharks available and ready to test your tackle.
Near shore the passes will be teaming with oversized redfish and sheepshead as well as bluefish and the occasional pompano. The near shore reefs and wrecks should have plenty of bait on them signaling the dinner bell for pelagic species such as king mackerel and blackfin tuna. Slow trolling live baits, spoons, deep diving plugs or the traditional duster rigs are very effective. The grouper bite and maberjack bite should remain good on the shallow reefs as well as on out into 200 plus feet of water.
Blue water fishermen should start to get plenty of action from black and yellow fin tuna, wahoo, and later in the month mahi and triple tail will start to show up as the weed lines thicken. From here on out the weather and the fishing will only get hotter.
Until next month, tight lines and "Get out There".
Navarre Fishing Forecast March 2013
March is a month for change and no one sees it more in our area than the inshore fisherman. For the most part the sounds and bays will still remain a little too cold to produce consistently in the beginning of the month. However, there are a few exceptions to this. One is the availability of redfish on the upper bay flats and deep water structure in the sound. The other is the Sheepshead. They can be caught on deep water structure, such as bridge pilings and deeper docks. Most other species will remain in the rivers where the water remains a little warmer. As the water temperature begins to increase later in the month, the fish will begin to migrate back to the sounds and bays. At the same time the baitfish will start showing up on the flats. The fish will once again invade the grass flats to feed. I like the water temperature to be around 66 to 68 for the fishing to be consistent on the flats.
For surf and pier fishermen March is also a month for change and unpredictability in our area. The beginning of this month has the water temperatures still a little cold and fishing can be a little hit or miss. This all depends on how many cold fronts we experience and how much cold weather it brings with it. However, there are still some Pompano, Bluefish, Bonito and Redfish available. As the month moves forward a little the water temperature should start increase. This will improve the fishing towards the middle of the month. Towards the end of this month the waters temperature has generally increased and can provide some excellent surf fishing opportunities for pompano, whiting, redfish, black drum, Spanish mackerel, and maybe even a cobia or two.
Offshore grouper will be closed this month Amberjack, blackfin, and yellowfin tuna will be the hottest bites around. The largest amberjacks will be in and around 200 feet of water over deep water wrecks as well as closer in around the edge. Top baits will be live hard tails, pinfish and red porgies, however Shimano’s Butterrfly Centervortex or Slidend, Bomber’s Vamp or Darter, and Williamson Abyss or Benthos jigs all work very well on the AJ’s. The bite should remain good further offshore with the Nipple and the Spur, and Steps good places to start. All locations are proven areas with wahoo, blackfin and yellowfin tuna the main targets. As in February the best bite bar none will be out around the oil rigs for tuna and wahoo. Chumming and chunking are two good techniques to put fish in the boat, but Jigging for them with Shimano, Bomber, and Williamson jigs are almost always a sure thing.
Navarre Fishing Forecast February 2013
Inshore the sheepshead will be all over deep structure in the bays. Fiddler crabs are the best bait to use, but small live shrimp and oysters will catch them as well. Some redfish will remain on the grass flats but most of the reds have migrated up into the head of the bays or out around area passes. As the water get colder later this month, the trout and the redfish will begin to move into the rivers. Try the deeper bends and holes. Live bait, curly tail grubs and Gulp on jig heads are very productive. The old fish finder rig with a live bait is great choice too. Slow down your presentation when the water is cold. The big Bull Redfish will be stacked in the pass. Just about any bait or jig will work on them. Don’t overlook just outside the pass and within a mile or two of the beach. Sometimes you can find the big Redfish schools on top. Just about any lure or bait you can get to them will catch them. Work the outside edges of the school to prevent spooking them. While you’re out, look for some birds actively feeding or just sitting in small groups. Sometimes they sit right over the top of the Reds. Try trolling large spoons or Stretch 25’s on the outside edges of the birds.
Surf fishermen will see the water will remain cool this month, making the fishing a little spotty. This will make the Pompano fishing a hit or miss in the surf most days. Live sand fleas are the bait of choice. However, they will hit live shrimp, frozen shrimp, frozen sand fleas and Pompano jigs. Bonita, Bluefish and Redfish will be in the surf as well. Cast ½ oz to 1-1/2 oz silver spoons to hook up. Use either a trace of 40# wire or 50# mono for a leader to prevent getting cut off for the Blues, a 30# mono leader for the Bonita will suffice. For the Redfish try fishing with some live shrimp and or cut mullet. Most Reds will be oversized but there should be some slot fish available. Be sure to release the oversized Reds. For big Bull Whiting, try peeling your shrimp first. These will be some of the biggest fish caught this month.
Offshore fishing this month will see all grouper closed for two months making amberjack the hottest bite. The largest fish will be caught in and around 200 feet of water on live hard tails, pinfish and red porgies. However Shimano’s Butterrfly Centervortex or Slidend, Bomber’s Vamp or Darter, and Williamson Abyss or Benthos jigs all work very well on the AJ’s. The bite should remain good further offshore with the Nipple and the Spur two good places to start. Both locations are proven areas with wahoo, blackfin and yellowfin tuna the main target. Don’t forget to keep an eye on you bottom machine while trolling these areas for possible deep drop spots. These areas are known for holding many deep water species such as tile fish and snowy grouper. And although the grouper are off limits this moth they will open back up again on April 1. The best bit bar none will be out around the oil rigs for tuna and wahoo. Chumming and chunking are two good techniques to put fish in the boat, but Jigging for them with Shimano, Bomber, and Williamson jigs are almost always a sure thing.
Navarre Fishing Forecast - January 2013
Inshore the sheepshead should be all over the structure in the bays and sound. Fiddler crabs and small live shrimp are the best baits. A few redfish will remain on the grass flats early in the month, but most will be stacked in the pass. Just about any bait or jig will work on them. Don’t overlook just outside the pass and within a mile or two of the beach. Sometimes you can find the big Redfish schools on top. Just about any lure or bait you can get to them will catch them. Work the outside edges of the school to prevent spooking them. While you’re out, look for some birds actively feeding or just sitting in small groups. Sometimes they sit right over the top of the Reds. Try trolling large spoons or Stretch 25’s on the outside edges of the birds. As the water gets colder later this month, the trout and the redfish will begin to move into the rivers. Try the deeper bends and holes. Live bait, curly tail grubs and Gulp on jig heads are very productive. The old fish finder rig with live bait is great choice too. Slow down your presentation though when the water gets really cold. The fish are lethargic and will not strike anything that is worked too fast. The bigger Trout can be found on the grass flats most afternoon especially if there are schools of mullet around. Try a MirroLure Top Dog, Rapala Skitterwalk or other similar top water baits and work them really slow for some exiting Trout fishing, don’t be too surprised if a Red busts your bait! Natural baits such as live finger mullet, pinfish and shrimp are all excellent live baits for trout.
The water will continue to cool down a little more this month and it will make the pier and surf fishing a little spotty. This will make the pompano fishing a hit or miss most days. Live sand fleas are the bait of choice. However, they will hit live shrimp, frozen shrimp, frozen sand fleas and Pompano jigs. Bonita, bluefish, whiting, black drum and redfish will be in the surf as well. Cast ½ oz to 1-1/2 oz silver spoons to hook up on the bonita, blues and reds. Use either a trace of 40# wire or 50# mono for a leader to prevent getting cut off for the Blues, a 30# mono leader for the bonita and reds will suffice. The Redfish will also go for live shrimp and cut mullet fished on a standard 2 hook pompano rig. Most Reds will be oversized but there should be some slot fish available. Be sure to release the oversized Reds. For big Bull Whiting, try peeling your shrimp first. These will be some of the biggest fish caught this month. As long as the water temperature stays relatively warm the fishing will be very good.
Offshore the grouper and amberjack bite should remain steady in 200 plus feet of water. Large live pinfish, sand perch, or red porgies are outstanding baits for both. The Shimano Butterrfly, Williamson, and Bomber jigs will also work very well on the AJ’s and grouper. The bite should remain good further offshore. The Nipple and the Spur are two good places to start. Both locations are two proven areas. The Blackfin and Yellowfin Tuna should be around the oil platforms. Chumming and Chunking are two good techniques to put fish in the boat, but from past experience jigging can’t be beat most days.
Navarre Fishing Forecast December 2012
December can be a great month to fish in our area, but it can also be challenging at times. Most days are cool and sunny with temperatures hovering around 60 most days. The flip side is it can also get into the low 30’s and up to 30mph winds that has the Coast Guard issuing small craft advisories. Bottom line Fishing inshore and off shore will present several challenges, but it is not anything that can not be overcome. The most important precaution is to keep a close eye on the weather. When winds are forecasted at more than 15 miles per hour out of the north the south shores in many bays can be extremely rough. These same winds can also make it nearly impossible to fish off shore past 10 miles. On days when it is too windy or too cold you may just want to go hunting, read a book or catch up on honey do’s. The possibility of capsizing and getting first hand experience with hypothermia is too real and your life is not worth taking the risk.
Inshore anglers are affected most as the cooler temperatures push the trout and redfish towards the warmer water of area rivers, canals and deeper bayous. Although; when we do get several warm days in a row you will find them following the mullet schools back onto the flats. This is especially true on worm days with a high tide in the afternoon. The surest bite for inshore fishermen will be redfish, black drum, blue fish, white trout and sheepsheads in and around area passes as well as around many of the bridges in our area such as the Navarre, Garcon and 3-Mile Bridge.
Surf fishermen can expect to catch reds, pompano, bluefish, whiting, and sharks along area beaches. Top bait will be live or frozen shrimp and live or frozen sand fleas.
Off shore wahoo, black and yellow fin tuna for those trolling around the nipple was well as out around the oil rigs. Bottom fishermen deep dropping in 300 to 700 feet of water can expect to catch golden tile fish, snowey and yellow edge grouper, barrel fish, long tail sea bass,. Closer in 300 feet or less amberjack, red and scamp grouper, triggerfish, mingo snapper and as long as there is bait on many of the closer in wrecks you will find good numbers flounder.
Navarre Fishing Forecast November 2012
November can be hit or miss as each cold front triggers many fish species to transition into their fall pattern. The first couple of weeks we will begin to see many of the pelagic species such as king and Spanish mackerel begin to head south, and as the cold fronts increase we will also see an increase of flounder heading offshore to spawn. These cold fronts will also create some of the best surf conditions for those of us fishing in the surf and on near shore reefs and wrecks.
Trout and Redfish will remain on the grass flats as long as the water temps stays reasonably warm. Should we experience some cold fronts early in the month it will start to force the fish into deeper water as well as up area rivers. The only exception to this will be the flounder. As the water continues to cool the flounder will start to migrate from the rivers to the bays, sounds and eventually to the wrecks off the beach. Cooling water also means the Sheepshead bite will improve along all the visible structure. Don’t overlook the Redfish bite this time of the year, the cooler water really turns these fish on especially along the beach and around the Destin and Pensacola Pass.
Surf fishing tends to heat up as it cools down, with pompano and whiting the hottest bite. The pompano bite can become exceptional especially after a few days of southeasterly winds. Bottom line for surf fishermen this month should offer plenty of action from whiting, pompano, redfish, bluefish and possibly bonito from the beach.
Near shore most of the king and Spanish mackerel will have left the area by the middle of the month. On days with a light north wind head to many of the near shore wrecks hold bait and target the flounder. It is not uncommon to catch your limit in just matter of hours.
Offshore the Nipple and the Spur can be very good places to get hooked up on Blue and White Marlin. Yellowfin and Black Fin Tuna usually show up this time of year as well. Don’t overlook the Wahoo opportunities, they are out there and willing to bite. This fishery will remain good until the water temperature gets to cold.
Navarre Fishing Forecast October 2012
October is my almost most favorite time of the year to fish in our area for a couple of reasons. The number one reason being the fishing is outstanding due everything that swims in our area fattening up for the winter. Redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, sheep’s head, ladyfish, bluefish, and jack crevalle will be available in the Santa Rosa Sound and East Bay. Redfish, whiting, pompano, bluefish, and sharks will be in the surf. Grouper, amberjack, tuna, king mackerel, wahoo, and billfish will be available offshore. The other reason is the weather is mild. What I mean by that is the heat and rough stormy weather that is almost an everyday thing during the summer has begun to wane. No more sweating a gallon an hour and getting beat up offshore instead we get cool weather and calm seas for most of the month.
Navarre Fishing Forecast September 2012
September can be an outstanding time of year to fish in the Navarre area. Redfish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, sheep’s head, ladyfish, bluefish, and jack crevalle will be available in the sound and back bays.
The speckled trout will be on the flats in 2 to 3 feet of water early in the morning and then again a couple of hours in the evening right before sunset. Just look for moving water and schools of menhaden or mullets and you will find the trout. Redfish will also be available in the same areas, but will more than likely stay in that area as long as the baitfish is there. The reds will also be stacked up in the Destin and Pensacola passes with the hottest action coming during the outgoing tide. Live baitfish fished on the bottom will produce non stop action when the bite is on! Area bridges such as the Brooks Bridge, Navarre, Bob Sikes and Garson Point Bridge are also great locations to target bull reds this time of year. Those targeting flounder will find them around most large structure as well as near the mouth of area creeks and streams that empty into the bay and sound. A live finger mullet, tiger minnows and bull minnows fished on the bottom is a deadly presentation that no flounder can resist. Just make sure to use a short leader and have a net ready, because flounder are notorious for spitting the hook.
Surf fishermen can expect plenty of action this month from packs of bull redfish to blacktip and spinner sharks this month as well as the usual catches of redfish, whiting, pompano, bluefish, and ladyfish.
Off shore anglers will see plenty of action bottom fishing for grouper, amberjacks, and triggerfish as well targeting pelagic species such as king mackerel, mahi mahi, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo. Bottom fishermen will be soaking live baits near the bottom for the grouper and amberjacks and cut bait for the trigger and mingo snapper. Although working a bucktail or butterfly jig will catch their share as well. Yozuri’s 3D crystal minnow as well as Rapala’s X-Rap deep diving plugs are a killer presentation for most of the pelagic species. Another great presentation is a blue and white or orange and black Islander rigged with or without a ballyhoo.
Until next month tight lines and “Get out There”.
Navarre Fishing Forecast August 2012
Inshore anglers will be facing a gauntlet of weather challenges this month with 90 degree highs and rain forecasted pretty much every day this time of year. The best fishing times will be first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. If you really want to have a good time and avoid the heat though try fishing lighted docks after the sun has set. I prefer to fish at night this time of year and can honestly say that this is probably the best time of year to target redfish and trout on the fly around lighted docks. You will also have to deal with ladyfish, blue fish, black snapper, and the occasional flounder as well. Area anglers have been seeing good numbers of redfish in both the low and upper slot range and are everywhere this time of year. Top water plugs early in the morning or late evening in Santa Rosa Sound, the Blackwater area as well as, along the docks on the south shore of East Bay. The trout will also be in these same areas and are falling for the same top water presentation as well, but most will be landed by free-lining finger mullet and menhaden over the deeper grass flats. Bull reds will be in and around area passes and can be caught on pinfish, finger mullets, and menhaden fished on the bottom. The bluefish, ladyfish, and spanish bite should be steady as well. Make sure you use a 30 to 50 lb fluorocarbon leader or light steel leader to avoid cutoffs. It can get expensive if you don’t!
In the Surf, the Pompano bite is about as slow as it gets in August, but the bluefish, and ladyfish bite should remain strong. Bright spoons, Gotcha plugs and Straw Rigs will catch them. Live and frozen Shrimp will take them as well. Live shrimp will also produce redfish and whiting late in the afternoon just before sundown. Don’t forget about the sharks! They are following the massive schools of bait that will be along area beaches this month. Stout rods with high capacity reels will be required to land these hard fighting fish. Butterflied bluefish, mullet or ladyfish are all good baits.
Offshore the king and spanish bite should remain strong right off the beach on live cigar minnows and blue runners (hard tails). With the large amount of Sargasso seaweed in the area expect to land the occasional dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) when conditions are right. Artificials such as deep diving Yo-Zuri, Rapala and Mann’s Stretch lures will also account for a lot of fish while trolling around pods of bait or area wrecks. Red snapper season is closed in both Federal and State waters as well as triggerfish in Federal waters, but amberjacks are back in the line up as of the first of the month. Most bottom fishermen will be targeting grouper amberjack and triggerfish (in state waters) this month area reefs and wrecks. Wahoo, blackfin and yellowfin should be available in good numbers starting at the edge on out. August is also one of the most productive months for billfish in our area so don’t fail to put out a few likes targeting them this time of year.
Navarre Fishing Forecast June 2012
SURF FISHING
June is the start of the real summer here in the panhandle. The temperatures will continue to climb and we will see our usual thunderstorms pop up. The Pompano fishing will most likely slow a little this month. The Spanish mackerel will still be around, but not in the numbers you saw in the spring. Ladyfich (skipjack) will be available all summer long, there may be some Bluefish mixed in with them. From here on out it is best to fish early in the morning and late afternoons. Fishing the hottest part of the day can be very slow.
SOUNDS, BAYS AND RIVERS
The grass flats will remain a great place to fish this month. A lot of the gamefish will remain here for the spring, summer and early fall. They will be feeding on the shrimp, menhaden and pinfish that make their home there. This is a good time to try some shallow water sight fishing early in the morning for Redfish and Trout. There is also some great top water fishing opportunities for the Speckled Trout. Flounder will be invading the bays and sounds too. All these species are structure oriented fish and you should pay attention to docks, bridge pilings, oyster bars and drop offs. Early morning and late afternoon will be the better times to fish.
NEARSHORE GULF
This month will offer a lot of the same fishing opportunities. The Reds should be available to bottom fisherman, but on occasion the Redfish get on top and can provide some excellent top water fishing. The schools of Spanish mackerel will be in the pass and some King mackerel will be mixed in with them. The Bonita and occasional Bluefish will be near the pass as well and offer some great light tackle angling. Be sure to check out the buoys in and near the pass, this time of year they will hold some Cobia. Trolling for King mackerel and Spanish mackerel just outside the pass and along the beach will bring many angling opportunities. Don’t be surprised if you hook into a bull Redfish, monster Jack Crevalle, Cobia or even a Dolphin.
OFFSHORE GULF
June doesn’t change this fishery much either. The King mackerel should be on the beach or very near it along with the Spanish mackerel. Slow trolling live baits, spoons or Duster rigs are very effective. The Grouper, Scamp and Amberjack bite should remain good in 100 to 200 plus feet of water and possibly less. Don’t forget that Red Snapper now has a season and be sure to check out when it opens and closes. The Trigger fish bite will be good this month as well. As warmer water continues to push its way to the north the Dolphin, Wahoo and other game fish will become more accessible.
Navarre Fishing Forecast May 2012
SURF FISHING
May is here and everything should be in full swing. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us and bring very little wind. The Pompano fishing should remain good all this month. . The Spanish mackerel should be attacking anything that resembles a small bait fish, and the skip jack (Ladyfish) will begin to show themselves more as well. You may even find some Spanish mackerel, Bluefish and Skipjack crashing schools of glass minnow's right on the beach. From here on out the weather and the fishing will continue to get hotter.
SOUNDS, BAYS AND RIVERS
All the fish have returned from the rivers to the grass flats to feed and grow on the ever present bait fish and shrimp. They will remain here for the spring, summer and early fall. This is a good time to try some shallow water sight fishing early in the morning for Redfish and Trout. There is also some great top water fishing opportunities for the Speckled Trout. Flounder will be invading the bays and sounds too. All these species are structure oriented fish and you should pay attention to docks, bridge pilings and oyster bars and drop offs.
NEARSHORE GULF
Don't overlook the pass for some oversized Redfish fun. The Reds should be available to bottom fisherman, but on occasion the Redfish get on top and can provide some excellent top water fishing. The schools of Spanish mackerel will be in the pass and some King mackerel will be mixed in with them. The Bonita and occasional Bluefish will be near the pass as well and offer some great light tackle angling. Be sure to check out the buoys in and near the pass, this time of year they will hold some Cobia. Trolling for King mackerel and Spanish mackerel just outside the pass and along the beach will bring many angling opportunities. Don't be surprised if you hook into a bull Redfish, monster Jack Crevalle, Cobia or even a Dolphin.
OFFSHORE GULF
The King mackerel should be on the beach or very near it along with the Spanish mackerel. Slow trolling live baits, spoons or Duster rigs are very effective. The Grouper, Scamp and Amberjack bite should remain good in 100 to 200 plus feet of water and possibly less. Don't forget that Red Snapper now has a season and be sure to check out when it opens and closes. The Trigger fish bite will be good this month as well. As warmer water continues to push its way to the north the Dolphin, Wahoo and other game fish will become more accessible.
Navarre Fishing Forecast May 2012
SURF FISHING
May is here and everything should be in full swing. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us and bring very little wind. The Pompano fishing should remain good all this month. . The Spanish mackerel should be attacking anything that resembles a small bait fish, and the skip jack (Ladyfish) will begin to show themselves more as well. You may even find some Spanish mackerel, Bluefish and Skipjack crashing schools of glass minnow's right on the beach. From here on out the weather and the fishing will continue to get hotter.
SOUNDS, BAYS AND RIVERS
All the fish have returned from the rivers to the grass flats to feed and grow on the ever present bait fish and shrimp. They will remain here for the spring, summer and early fall. This is a good time to try some shallow water sight fishing early in the morning for Redfish. There is also some great top water fishing opportunities for the Speckled Trout. Flounder will be invading the bays and sounds too. All these species are structure oriented fish and you should pay attention to docks, bridge pilings and oyster bars.
NEARSHORE GULF
Don't overlook the pass for some oversized Redfish fun. The Reds should be available to bottom fisherman, but on occasion the Redfish get on top and can provide some excellent top water fishing. The schools of Spanish mackerel will be in the pass and some King mackerel will be mixed in with them. The Bonita and occasional Bluefish will be near the pass as well and offer some great light tackle angling. Be sure to check out the buoys in and near the pass, this time of year they will hold some Cobia. Trolling for King mackerel and Spanish mackerel just outside the pass and along the beach will bring many angling opportunities. Don't be surprised if you hook into a bull Redfish, monster Jack Crevalle, Cobia or even a Dolphin.
OFFSHORE GULF
The King mackerel should be on the beach or very near it along with the Spanish mackerel. Slow trolling live baits, spoons or Duster rigs are very effective. The Grouper, Scamp and Amberjack bite should remain good in 200 plus feet of water and possibly less. Don't forget that Red Snapper now has a season and be sure to check out when it opens and closes. The Trigger fish bite will be good this month as well. As warmer water continues to push its way to the north the Dolphin, Wahoo and other game fish will become more accessible.