Early May Fishing Report
It’s that time of year here in Destin, Florida where everything is just about to pop off, but hasn’t just quite yet. In Choctawhatchee Bay there are a few trout and red fish to be caught, sporadically, but no where is hot cast after cast… yet. Bait is hard to come by, but it can be found - for the most part, I’m still using shrimp.
The Spanish Mackerel bite is slowing down a little faster than I expected. The fish I am catching are actually very large. Last week I caught several Spanish in the 4-6lb class. A blast on light tackle!
Redfish, especially bulls, are readily eating pinfish around the East pass. It seems like the further into the bay you go the slower the bite has become. You can grind it out and catch a few fish on the flats and around the bayous, but nobody is finding fast action right now.
The nearshore bite is still alive and well with vermillion and mangrove snappers to be found just about anywhere you look. Porgies and the occasional Flounder pop up now and then, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the occasional Scamp. Just move around until you find the fish.
I had the pleasure of doing some offshore fishing this past week and we got into wahoos and tuna. The deep water bottom fishing was lackluster, but we still made a good day of it with some nice big Scamps and Vermilions.
Cigar Minnows, Herring, and Hardtails are plentiful right outside the pass right now, and King Mackerels are sporadically working the bait schools and can make for some quick action. Red Snappers and Amberjack, while not in season are always a good time and are usually easy to find this time of year.
Nelson Guide Company is a dedicated, full time Destin fishing charter boat service out of the Destin Harbor. We keep our eyes on what’s biting every chance we get, even during the slow season, so that our clients have the very best experience out on the gulf or bay. Weather you join us for a quick and easy kids fishing trip, or for one of our calm water excursions, you will have the full Destin fishing experience and expertise with us.
Get Out There Any Make Something Happen!
Captain Si
850-803-2628
