As reported by Chris Martin . . .
Coastal anglers have plenty to look forward to in the month of May. Wind speeds have increased with the changing seasons, but don’t let a 25-27 mph forecast keep you indoors. Some of our best fishing days happen in strong wind conditions, especially when bait and water movement line up correctly.
This time of year typically brings drier skies, rising humidity, warming water temperatures, and fluctuating tides. Rainfall totals usually begin increasing this month, but salinity levels throughout our bays should remain fairly stable, which is always a positive sign for marine life along the Texas coast – especially trout, redfish, and flounder.
May also marks the transition away from the strong northerly winds that shaped much of the past several months. Prevailing southeast winds should continue pushing greener water into our bays while supporting a steady trout bite over hard sand and grass.
Longer daylight hours and increasing water temperatures mean anglers should plan to start early. Ideally, your first stop of the morning should happen well before sunrise, giving you the opportunity to wade shallow while temperatures remain cooler and fish are actively feeding.
This is often when larger trout and redfish slide up from deeper water under the cover of darkness to take advantage of bait activity in the shallows.
As we move deeper into May, topwater action should continue improving, but suspending and slow-sinking baits will still play a major role. Favorites like the Corky and FatBoy remain excellent choices for targeting quality trout and redfish this time of year.
For many anglers, there’s nothing quite like the strike of a big trout or redfish on a well-worked plug. May offers the perfect opportunity to knock the rust off your favorite baits and settle back into the rhythm of summer fishing along the Texas coast.
For anglers who prefer live bait presentations, our guides have been doing well over shell pads in and around Espiritu Santo Bay while fishing live shrimp under a popping cork. Others may prefer anchoring in the back lakes while fishing piggy perch over sand pockets for trout and redfish. Black drum are beginning to show up for anglers fishing dead shrimp on the bottom, while the occasional sheepshead and flounder continue to make appearances as well.
If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip, now is the time. The fish are active, water conditions are improving, and some of the best fishing of the year is right around the corner.