As the colder days and nights become fewer and fewer and spring slowly approaches, it's time to prepare for the chaos! After a pretty cold winter with water temps plummeting into the upper 40's, we are slowly warming back up, which can only mean one thing.....ACTION!
After the long winter migration down south, the sharks will soon be following schools of baitfish and tarpon up the west coast of Florida to begin the feeding ritual that has been taking place for millennia. As we finally hit the 72 degree water mark, the Sandbar Sharks will be the first to arrive in early April, followed by the Hammerheads eagerly awaiting the arrival of the tarpon. Soon after that, the Atlantic Sharpnose will start to bite and as May approaches the Blacktips and Tiger Sharks will be eating everything in sight as the water temps approach 80. May is by far the best month of the year due to the daytime weather and non-stop action. Warm enough to fire up the fish, but still cool enough to have a beautiful day without having to run from thunderstorms. If you are looking to book a full day charter( 9 hours), May is the month to do it. As June arrives we can still squeeze in those 3/4 day trips, but once we hit the months of July and August, five hour charters are the norm to avoid the afternoon thunderstorms.
Late Spring is my favorite time of the year. In addition to all of the sharks we catch, fish like Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Bluefish and Jacks are busting baits on the surface making the glassy water come alive! Bait balls of jumping fish can be seen everywhere and the action is fast and furious! Casting plugs and spoons at these voracious eaters is something you have to experience for yourself. If you haven't figured it out by now, we love the chaos style fishing here at Shark Ventures.
Although the Cobia fishing hasn't returned to the way it was a few years back, we're still finding fish and April is great month to target them. Having a cobia rod ready is a must on every trip because you never know when the man in the brown suit will decide to show up.
We will of course miss the old Grouper Season that started on June 1st which has now moved to the fall, but that doesn't mean that we won't be catching any grouper. Our catch and release grouper fishing is still a great way to catch one of the strongest fighting fish in the Gulf and will put your fighting skills to the test. Keeper or not, it's still a great fish for a trophy photo and a welcome bycatch on any trip!
If you haven't already booked a charter for this season, make sure to contact us soon and get on the books as our schedule is filling fast. Until then, stay warm, because the action is almost upon us and it's time for the chaos to ensue! We'll see you on the water!
- Captain Ed