May is a month of new arrivals along the Big Bend. Although most of our rivers hold some resident tarpon,  migratory fish will be funneling in.

South of Homosassa, the trout flats will be replaced with poling skiffs and anglers with fly equipment. It is possible to catch one by yourself, but a team effort increases your chances greatly.  The person poling the boat has an elevated view and can instruct the angler where to place the fly and when to strip the fly. It is 100% sight fishing.

There are other methods of fishing for tarpon in the same area with small crabs or live bait, but the method is still the same, sight fishing. 

Cobia is another migratory fish. They can be a little less predictable then tarpon. I’ve always considered them to be a fish of opportunity and I keep a heavy spinning rod ready to meet it if a cobia shows up.

There are spots that can increase your chances of catching one, and they are wrecks, markers, and high-profile rocks. One of my favorite cobia baits is a big pinfish. I like to cast to the fish and get it following the bait, and as the cobia closes in, open the bail and let the pinfish run. Nine times out of ten the cobia will chase it down and eat it. 

Tripletail have shown up and will be around till summer. I never run past a crab buoy without looking at it. My best method is to use a cork with about 16″ of leader tied to a 1/8 oz. jighead. Cast the cork near the buoy and reel it up close, even touching it. Most of the time you can see the fish come up and eat it.

High incoming tide will be early morning or late evening this weekend. 

Homosassa Weekly Fishing Report from Captain William Toney

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