Patrick, Billy, Sarah and Jenni cleaning a batch of Spanish Mackerel

Fishing in May on Pier 60 has been very good for a variety of species. As water temperatures reached the high-70’s, the most reliable daytime catch has been spanish mackerel. Some of the fish were up to 23 inches, and many anglers took home a limit of 15 fish. Mangrove snapper action has been spotty, but the few taken have been well over the minimum of 10”. There were a few undersize cobia caught and released. Other species include pompano, jack crevalle, gag grouper, flounder, blue runner, key west grunt and ladyfish.

Schools of tarpon have arrived, and can be seen daisy-chaining off the end of the pier and alongside the bait house in the calm of the early morning. In the late afternoon, 80-100 lb tarpon have been jumped on live pinfish.

Joshua Collins of Hunnington, Indiana with Spotted Sea Trout

Spotted sea trout show up at night, with some nice fish of 18” to 20” taken on live shrimp. Whiting of 12” to 14” have been caught in the evenings as well. Snook have been schooling around the pier, with a few linesiders caught and released. A nice redfish of 27” was caught recently, so look for more in the weeks ahead. The summer weather pattern seems to have arrived a bit early. It is most effective to get out early to catch the morning bite, and then again in the evening to fish for spotted sea trout and snook.

Capt'n Tom

Jesse from Tampa displays his Pampano