AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2008 ISSUE 

May/June Northwest Fishing Forecast (Panhandle):

By: Captain John Rivers - Mega-Bite Inshore Charters

For Panhandle anglers, May and June are two of the most exciting months to get out on the water. I can hardly sleep at night thinking about the next time I can get out to toss top-water plugs. In my March/April forecast, I talked about how the speck trout were up in the rivers and slowly making their way out to the flats. Well, they’re here and when conditions permit, the bite is off the Richter scale!

If you prefer live bait, head to the nearest canal or bayou and look for small to medium-sized menhaden or pinfish. Drifting one of these proven morsels under a Cajun Thunder works like fish-catching magic. As for artificial junkies, I only throw a couple of lures when I am specifically targeting specks. One is the Exude RT Slug in the golden bream pattern. Not only does this bait entice big trout, redfish can’t seem to get enough of it. Another quality offering is a Berkley Gulp Shrimp fished under a popping cork. In past seasons, this combination has accounted for many quality catches including plenty of slot-size reds. Speaking of redfish, don’t pass up dock-fishing the ICW - most of the weathered structures hold decent fish.

Moving out to slightly deeper territory, Pensacola Pass, Destin Pass, St. Andrews Sound and St. Vincent Sound are where you can expect to find large schools of Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, bluefish and jack crevalle. Whether in the bay or offshore cruising the beaches, you should always have a rod rigged and ready for hard-pulling jack crevalle. These prize-fighters are not picky eaters so any noisy top-water plug or soft-body jerk-bait will do the trick. Throw it out, imitate a frantic baitfish and hang on!

If bigger fish are what you’re looking for, then keep heading south. I suggest you steer a course to the Three Barges or to the #1 or #2 Buoys as these locations are known for producing fantastic springtime king mackerel action. Two irresistible offerings I suggest are lively cigar-minnows or Mann’s Stretch 25s in the bonito color pattern. When a smoker king sees either one of these baits, you better be ready because their notorious for ‘smoking’ 200 yards of line in only seconds.

Head even further offshore to The Edge, Nipple or Elbow, and be on the lookout for weedlines because May and June are two of the best months for running across cooperative dolphin and wahoo. Troll skirted lures spiced with either ballyhoo or strip-baits to sweeten the deal. If you’ve never hooked a 30-pound wahoo, you need to go out and give it a try. These fish are blistering fast and provide fantastic table fare. Medium size reels like Shimano’s Torium 30 will work fine on spring ‘hoos and ‘phins, however to be on the safe side, some offshore buffs prefer to beef it up to something like a TLD 25. Either of these reels topped off with 30 or 40lb. test monofilament will handle the task. If you do hook an unstoppable monster, relax and take your time – you’re in a boat so you can chase him down if you have to.

The FWC ruled back in February that the red snapper season would remain on the same schedule as last year with open season starting April 15 in state waters and closing on October 31. The bag limit however, was decreased from four fish per person to just two fish per person and if you’re a charter captain or paid crew member, you cannot be in possession of any red snapper. When fishing federal waters (nine miles from shore), the season opens on June 1 and ends September 30. Be sure to check with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (www.MYFWC.org) for any regulation changes. Remember, if it’s not in season or not large enough; vent the fish if necessary and carefully release it.  

So what are you waiting for? Hit the flats in the morning for monster trout on Saturday and get offshore on Sunday. You’ll be glad you did!

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