Fishing Report – May 4th, 2024

Here is the May 4th, 2024 fishing report. My reports are published in the Tampa Bay Times every 4th and 20th of the month! Thank you for reading, and I look forward to getting you all out on the water soon! Capt. Brian.

Warm and stable temperatures have brought a lot of fish into the mix, although bluebird skies and high-pressure have made the bite a little tough. The water clarity is also high right now so fish are very shy.

Downsizing leader has increased productivity, as well as smaller hook sizes, but the approach is just as important. Often times I will start well short of an area I think fish are going to be just so I can ease my drift into them. Plowing into a spot with a trolling motor or under big motor power can push fish hundreds of yards from where you could catch them. If I accidentally push fish with the motor or my drift, I will often times try to circle around and ease back towards the area where I originally saw them. If enough time has gone by, they will return to the spot they were feeling the most comfortable. Snook have been especially apprehensive.

Lately, I have been casting into 1 or 2 feet of water at schools of snook. If the cast is anywhere near the fish, they will often spook. I try to cast beyond them so that I can slowly reel baits into the group rather than landing on their heads. That has been very effective on recent charters. The smaller male snook are usually more apt to chase the offering, however, the larger female snook have been eating good on the moving tides. Take care when catching and releasing snook as they are now closed for harvest until September 1st.

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