May is a month of new arrivals along the Big Bend. Although most our rivers hold some resident tarpon, migratory fish will be funneling in. South of Homosassa the trout flats will be replaced with poling skiffs and anglers with fly equipment. It is possible to catch one by yourself but a team effort increases your chances greatly. The person poling the boat has the elevated view and can instruct the angler where to place the fly and when to strip the fly. It is 100% sight fishing. There are other methods of fishing for tarpon in the same area with small crabs or live bait but the method is still the same, sight fishing. Cobia are another migratory fish that can be a little less predictable then tarpon. I’ve always considered them to be a fish of opportunity and I keep a heavy spinning rod ready to meet it if a cobia shows up. There are spots that can increase your chances of catching one and they are wrecks, markers and high profile rocks. One of my favorite cobia baits is a big pinfish. I like to cast to the fish and get it following the bait and as the cobia closes in open the bail and let the pinfish run. Nine time out of ten the cobia will chase it down and eat it. Triple tail have shown up and will be around till summer. I never run past a crab buoy without looking at it. My best method is to us a cork with about 16″ of leader tied to a 1/8 0z. jighead. Cast the cork near the buoy and reel it up close , even touching it. Most the time you can see the fish come up and eat it. High incoming tide will be early morning or late evening this weekend.
- Nature Coast - March 23, 2024
- William Toney - February 29, 2024
- Nature Coast - February 14, 2024
