May 31, 2012 Fishing Report

   Hello Everyone.  This May continues to provide great fishing in the Clearwater, FL area.  The Tarpon have arrived in great numbers and have been around since April.  We are targeting these large fish along the beaches and bridges of Tampa Bay using large Scaled Sardines and Threadfins for bait.

   My good friend, Art Korp, from California fished with me again this year for the ninth time. Although the Tarpon eluded us this year, we managed several large Trout (up to 25 inches), Redfish and Snook.  The best day we had was late in the afternoon on a very low outgoing tide.  We also landed Redfish up to 30 inches near the mangroves on the higher tide stages.

  Two separate schools of large Snook were spotted near the passes on the inside of the barrier Islands.  These fish would not take a live bait during the daytime from us.  They obviously fed at night and seemed more interested in each other, swimming in very tight groups.

   June will be the month for Tarpon.  I have several repeat clients coming to town just to fish for these powerful fish.  If you see a group of boats fishing along the beaches please cruise by slowly keeping a good distance away.  You should approach others fishing, drifting with the wind using your trolling motor or push pole.  If you are approached by another boat fighting a large Tarpon cheer them on with hoots and thumbs-up as it could be a fish of a lifetime.   

Capt. Paul Hajash  (727) 251-2623

www.tampa-florida-fishing.com

www.flyfishingflorida.com