Captain’sCorner

Treasure Coast with Captain Mike Schulze

The Joy of Fishing: Even Without the Big Catch - Tania and I woke up a bit late on Saturday, 5:45am, to go fishing. I usually wake up at 5:30am and we try to leave the house by 6:00am; however, Tania was exhausted from her long week at work so I let her sleep in a few extra minutes. I felt a little rushed as I hate being behind schedule but I sucked it up for Tania!

Once again, we had trouble finding shrimp, but DeBrooks Fishing Corner was able to scrounge up four dozen. While the one guy was trying to get me as much bait as he could, I got to chat with Lily, Captain Jason Muller’s daughter. She mated for us on our first outing with Captain Jason Muller of Muller Maritime Services Fishing Charters. She asked how Tania was doing while I asked how her dad was doing.

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We made it to the dock about 6:45am and had to wait in line as we were about fourth in line to get our boat. I was grateful we had to wait as I was able to change the boat from a bay boat to the Cobia 220 so we could go offshore. While we waited, I texted War Daddy Baits to see if he had any extra bait I could pick up since I did not reserve any, and we were fortunate enough to be able to get some.

We left the marina about 7:10am and made our way to the bait boat. We picked up $20 worth of pilchards/greenies, and headed out the inlet. We arrived at the boils about 7:30am. The water was a bit rougher than we had expected so I had to go a little slower than we normally would have run. Once again this was a good thing as I burned less gas, it just took us a little bit longer to arrive.

Once we got close to the boils the sun was higher in the sky and we could see the water was dirty.

I was a bit disappointed as I knew this meant we would not catch any Pompano or Permit; however, we made the run so we were going to see what we could catch. Before we pulled up to our first spot to drift, we passed our friends from the boat club who beat us out and had already started drifting. They signaled the bite was slow.

Tania was the first to drop her jig as I set up a free line for the pilchards. Once I was set up, I let the bait free line out the back of the boat and I started jigging also. It didn’t take long for Tania to hook up with her first fish. It was a Blue Runner. Not what we were hoping for but with the dirty water it was expected.

What we found during the first drift was the drift was going north east, and the fish were biting just south of the boils where the water turned muddy color. With that being said our drifts would be short. Also, since I did not get a bite on the live line, I decided to put a 2oz sinker on the line making a knocker rig and put the pilchard on the bottom.

Shortly after we started our second drift the pilchard on the bottom got hit hard and I had a fight on my hands. We wound up all the other rods as I fought whatever took the bait. It only took a few minutes to get the fish to the boat and for me to realize it was a decent size Jack Crevalle. I decided to keep the Jack to make fish dip so in the cooler this one went after I bleed out. Once I got the fish on ice, we repositioned for a third drift.

Because Tania had a long week and was tired, combined with the knowledge of afternoon storms, we decided we would head back in about 11:00am. From 7:30am to 11:00am the bite was slow but consistent. We lost track of the Blue Runners and Ladyfish we caught, and we had three Jack Crevalle in the cooler. Just before 11:00am the pilchard rod went. I started fighting the fish, but it was pulling line out pretty quick and I couldn’t get it to turn, so I rushed Tania to get all the lines on board as I was about to chase the fish down. I was pretty sure it was a shark, but I didn’t want

with Captain Chris Johnson

It has been an extremely warm winter in the Keys, which has sped up the normal progression of fishing opportunities. With some minor adjustments, you should still find the best fishing of the year during May. Three main areas of focus this time of year are offshore for dolphin, reef and wreck areas for snappers and groupers and the Middle Keys bridges for tarpon.

get your biggest flag yellowtail, with fish upward of six pounds and more hitting the docks on a regular basis. The deeper areas in 60 to 100 feet are most consistent for the flags.

to lose all my line. Shortly after Tania took control of the rod the fish stopped fighting. Once we got it to the boat, we found out what had happened. I had a pretty good snook on, but unfortunately the tax man said I owed him, so all I got was the head. Tania felt bad as if it was her fault, we lost the Snook to the shark because she was holding the rod when it happened. I felt bad also but I knew it was no one’s fault. But if it anyone was to blame it would be me, as I could not get the snook to turn for me and get him in quicker.

We were getting ready to head in when we drifted past the yellow buoy and Tania spotted a snook near the surface. We spent 30 minutes live lining a pilchard near it but it would not take the bait! I am guessing it was spooked as I am sure it knew we were there not to mention there were definitely some sharks around.

At some point while we were drifting our buddy Perry showed up. Since we were heading in, I came up next to him to offer him the left-over bait we had. I gave him probably six pilchards and a dozen shrimp. He was pretty happy as the live well they had lost the cap on the drain tube and they lost most of their shrimp as the shrimp went down the tube. I gave him my small bait net and told him to put it over the opening so he didn’t lose any of the baits I gave him.

We made it back to the docks about 12:30pm. All in all, it was a beautiful day on the water. The wind kicked up as we headed in but that was to be expected with the storms approaching. Tania and I pray all who made it out over the weekend had blessed and fruitful trips and made it home safely. We pray all who head out this week have tight lines and good times!

Treasure Coast Captain Mike Schulze Treasure Coast Fishing Charters

717-821-4473 reelblessed@fishingsfuture.org

Marathon/Florida Keys going 10 to 15 pounds. Use the same setup and baits here as you would on the reef.

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Offshore, the dolphin (mahi mahi) bite kicks into gear steadily at this point. You can expect larger fish this month, with the smaller schoolies arriving in June. Now is the time for the gaffers and slammers. Look for weed lines or birds, especially frigates, working the water surface to indicate the presence of the dolphin. The usual assortment of lures and rigged ballyhoo do the trick. However, in order to fool the biggest dolphin, you will need to have live baits on hand just in case a pitched ballyhoo doesn’t work. These live baits include pinfish and small bluerunners.

While you’re fishing around floating hard objects, be on the lookout for wahoo. Run a high speed plug around those objects to catch the attention of any lurking wahoo.

On the reef areas, the yellowtail have already been spawning, and the mangroves are beginning to move in among the yellowtails to prepare for their spawn.

This is the best time of year to

You may also find mangrove snapper mixed in. These are forming their annual congregation on the reef, and most are large, mature fish in the four- to sevenpound category.

The main event on the reef is the opening of grouper season. Before you set out in search of the groupers, check the regulations as they may have changed.

Black grouper is typically the primary target for anglers on the reef. They’re found in the same areas we fish for yellowtail snapper, which are beginning their spawn. Of the three primary grouper varieties, blacks are probably the toughest, so heavy tackle is necessary to land them.

The grouper are big so, naturally, the baits are big. Grunts, bluerunners with their tails trimmed and legalsize snappers, preferably 12- to 14-inch yellowtails. These baits usually don’t last long when dropped to the bottom in 50 to 70 feet of water.

The Atlantic wrecks also hold large black grouper plus gags at 20-plus pounds and good size reds

Also on the wrecks, mixed in with the groupers, are lots of mutton snapper, amberjack, African pompano and, as mentioned above, grouper. Pinfish, pilchards or live ballyhoo are the preferred baits for all but the grouper. And, we’re still catching permit up to 30 pounds on the artificial reefs. Use small crabs on a jighead.

Last but not least is the king of spring, the tarpon. The tarpon run has been fastpaced since the end of March, and it will only improve until it peaks during May. On an average four-hour outing, you’ll see a couple hundred tarpon rolling, and the chances of landing the fish of a lifetime are very good.

In the Marathon area, we have the Long Key Bridge, the Seven Mile Bridge and Bahia Honda Bridge. The preferred baits vary bridge-to-bridge, with mullet and pinfish the choice at Long Key and Seven Mile, while Bahia Honda is all about crabs. Talk to your local tackle shop to see what the tarpon are biting best and what rigs to use.

Marathon/Florida Keys

Captain Chris Johnson SeaSquaredCharters.com

305-393-2929

SeaSquared@bellsouth.net

Marcus Crowley caught this handsome mutton snapper while fishing with Capt. Jason Bell and SeaSquared Charters, 305-393-2929.

FishingSeminars

WOMEN ON WATER CLASS WITH CAPTAIN KEITH - MARINEMAX CLEARWATER - MAY 10, 2023 9:00AM - 12:00PM. Gain Your Confidence on the Water! MarineMax’s exclusive Women on Water (WOW) courses are designed to get women behind the helm. These small group seminars, for women only, are designed to build confidence by presenting information in an active, fun and supportive environment. Each threehour class is split in two parts: a classroom session and a practical, on-water session. The laid back approach we take to educating female boaters helps to build confidence that they can be the captain of their own ship - no matter how large or small their boat may be. The classes are offered at many of our locations throughout the country and are taught by U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains who have been certified by MarineMax to conduct the lessons. Classes fill up fast - RSVP at www.marinemax.com/stores/ clearwater/events for more information on how to secure your seat at our next complimentary class! Please include your current boat model, or boat you aspire to own with your submission.

WEST MARINE - FT. MYERS FLAGSHIP - 7070 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL. 239-985-6700. All seminars and other events are posted on the store Facebook page at: www. facebook.com/ WestMarineFortMyers

Great SW FL Tarpon fishing! Capt. Mark Ward 239-450-9230, Everglades Guide Service.

Women on Reel Work Fishing Headquarters with their catch. Helene Feiler, Boynton Beach, FL; Lorrie Levy, Lighthouse Point, FL; Dawn Kober, Lighthouse Point, FL; Lori Stampley, Albuquerque, NM and Noreen Surma, Berkeley Heights, NM at Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing South Florida 2023.

PUBLIC COURSES AND SEMINARS OFFERED BY US POWER SQUADRONS DISTRICT 22, FLORIDA’S SOUTHWEST COAST - LOCATE AMERICA’S BOATING COURSES, ADVANCED COURSES, SEMINARS: http://www.usps.org/cgi-bin-nat/ eddept/cfind.cgi

Note: Due to local COVID-19 concerns, class schedules may be changed. Please consult the local squadron for most upto-date information.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (941-795-0482) Website: www.usps.org/annamaria Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/ Anna-Maria-Island-Sail-Power-Squadron.

CAPE CORAL POWER SQUADRON - Call (239) 549-9754. Website: www.ccsaps. org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ CCSAPS/. Basic Weather and Forecasting June 15 (Thu) 2:00pm

Ladies on COB 2 Fishing Headquarters with their catch. Sandra Roberts Gadlin, Cape Coral, FL; Tiffany Brors, Cape Coral, FL; Cynthia Conley, Pompano Beach, FL; Robin Krueger, Parkland, FL and Erin Pyper, Parkland, FL at Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing South Florida 2023

Anglers fishing with me, out of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key, had good action with trout, Spanish mackerel and blues on Clouser flies on deep grass flats of Sarasota Bay recently. Capt. Rick Grassett, Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service Inc., 941-923-7799.

CLEARWATER SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (727) 441-8775. Website: www.clearwaterpowersquadron. org/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ AmericasBoatingClubClearwater

FORT MYERS POWER SQUADRON - Call (239) 945-6612. Website: www.usps.org/ index.php/sss-home Email: samtico@ hotmail.com

LAKELAND SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (863) 667-9047. Website: americasboatingclublakeland.org/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ LakelandSPS

MANATEE SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (941) 761-9444. Website: www. manatee-squadron.org/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/Manatee-SailPower-Squadron

MARCO ISLAND SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (239) 213-8722.

Website: marcoboatingclub.org/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ marcoislandsailandpowersquadron

NAPLES SAIL & POWER SQUADRONCall (239) 643-8091. Boating Courses: for information contact us at the above number.

PEACE RIVER SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (941) 637-0766.

Websie: www.puntagorda-boating.org

Email: education@ AmericasBoatingClubPeaceRiver.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ PeaceRiverSailAndPowerSquadron

SAN CARLOS BAY SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (239) 466-4040.

Website: http://www.scbps.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ San-Carlos-Bay-Sailboat-and-PowerboatSquadron-185483271553268/

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (239) 233-7380.

Website: www.sancapboating.club

Email education@sanibelcaptivasps. org-0.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ sancapboatingclub/

SARASOTA POWER SQUADRONCall (941) 953-7565.

Website: www.sarasota-boating.org

Contact the Squadron: http://sarasotaboating.org/contact-us/

ST. PETERSBURG SAIL & POWER SQUADRON Website: www.boatingstpete.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/

SPSPS

Basic Weather and Forecasting May 17 (Wed) 7:00pm

TAMPA POWER SQUADRON - Call (813) 810-6914. Email info@tampaPS.org

Website: http://TampaPS.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ TampaPowerSquadron

TREASURE ISLAND / BOCA CIEGA SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call Squadron Education Officer Nick Miller (727) 4241810.

Website: www.usps.org/localusps/ bocaciega/courses

E-mail: CapNick@aol.com

VENICE SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - Call (941) 493-2837.

Website: www.usps.org/localusps/ venice/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ seeyouonthewater/

Online Classes and Seminars are listed at https://americasboatingclub.org/learn/ online-boating-education

America’s Boating Channel offers a variety of boating “how to” videos: https://www. youtube.com/c/AmericasBoatingChannel

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - Mudville Grille - 3105 Beach Boulevard - Capt. Russell is happy to be a sponsor of the Florida Lure Anglers Club in Jacksonville, Fla. The FLA is not just a club for professional anglers, they are promoting saltwater lure fishing at all levels, especially among beginners. They do this by offering Junior, Teen and Lady “Angler of the Year” titles as a complement to our Club “Angler of the Year” title. Anglers will compete for points in an annual series of up to 10 tournaments to win these coveted titles Furthermore, we encourage a family environment by allowing Junior and teen Anglers to join in as an addition to our normal two-adult per boat limit. Guests are welcome to come and join our monthly meetings and listen to our guest speakers who discuss a wide variety of fishing techniques and helpful tips for all anglers. Meetings are held the last Monday of every month at the Mudville Grille located at 3105 Beach Blvd. Doors are open at 6:00 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.

Email to ahoy@floridamariner.com