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.