When you think about great locations to target The Silver King (Tarpon) in US waters, the Florida Keys are the obvious choice. And for the majority of the year you’d be spending your money wisely booking a flight to this southernmost destination. What’s not as widely publicized is that the Tarpon action moves up the coast as bait pods migrate north in May & June. This presents a great opportunity to target Tarpon and other gamefish like Kingfish, Snook and Cobia in less pressured waters along the beaches and rivers around Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce. Long time Vero guide and resident, Capt. Charlie Fornabio, shared a recent update with his clients leading into the May/June bite;
May is one of my favorite months. Calmer winds, warmer water, less crowds and shots at bigger fish.
Inshore: The snook and trout bite is perking up with the warmer water temps and influx of baitfish in the Indian River Lagoon. Snook will be holding around structure and cruising the drop offs. The larger trout will be in the shallows over grass bottom following the mullet schools. A good rule of thumb; find the mullet and you will find the trout. Properly presented top water lures fished during first light through sunrise can start the day off right. I like the Yozuri hydro pencil, Zara spook and Storm chug bug. Red fishing will remain steady around the docks , mangrove shorelines and off the beaten path shallows. The Sebasian river will continue to have good tarpon, snook and bull shark fishing this month.
Nearshore: The arrival of the thread fin herring schools along the coast means action. Tarpon, king fish, false albacore, jacks, cobia, spanish and sharks all come together to terrorize the bait pods. Most of this action takes place within a mile of the beach. This is a very visual and exciting fishery when the wind allows us to get offshore. The power plant in Ft Pierce (the boils) will produce snook and reds bottom fishing and tarpon and permit on top. On a good day there you feel like you are in the middle of a National Geographic shoot!
– Capt. Charlie Fornabio
To get in on the action book a day on the water with Capt. Charlie’s Charter Service.
Not going to be in Vero Beach or Ft. Pierce? No worries, inshore/offshore action can be found across Florida throughout the summer months. Stop by Fin & Field to find fishing guides and charters, freshwater and saltwater, in and around popular vacation spots like Orlando, Cape Canaveral and on the Gulf Coast. Need help narrowing the choices? Give us a ring, we’re always happy to help! (866) 925-8615
Wishing you Tight Lines!
(866) 925-8615
