Doc on May Fishing

May is one month that rates high on my and every other fisherman's list of favorite times of the year to wet a hook. Pleasant daytime temperatures, the ready availability of live shrimp at area fishing camps and, of course, an abundance and diversity of gamefish are three factors that make it so.

Nearshore anglers will be entertained by the likes of spotted seatrout, red drum, flounder, and by month's end, Spanish mackerel as well as southern kingfish (ground mullet), white trout and more. When conditions are right - strong flood currents occurring during the early morning hours, little wind, and perhaps even an overcast day on a new moon -trout fishing can be truly spectacular.

While many fishermen will be standing in line at the bait camp to buy a bucket of live shrimp this month, I'll already be waist deep in the Sound casting a topwater Mirrolure, Norm Bait or Dahlberg Diver when using the long rod. May and June rate as two of the best months for topwater trouting here along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and I can think of no more exciting way to catch trout than on a floater.

For those that feel trout fishing is simply not trout fishing unless you can watch a live shrimp dancing around a popping cork, your time has come as well. Early in the month, look to bay and backwater fishing camps for the most dependable supplies of live shrimp. Many of the larger front beach bait houses also truck in shrimp caught in the backwaters this time of year too though, and they will often meet the demand of the early bird.

If you are new to the coast and would like to give saltwater fishing a try, there's no easier way to catch fish than by using live shrimp and no better month to do it in than May. All you need to get started is a plastic or galvanized minnow bucket attached to about ten feet of stout cord(for tying onto piers and such), a red and white popping cork available almost anywhere that sells fishing tackle, some number two or four hooks and, of course, the shrimp themselves.

Attach the top of the popping cork directly to your line or snap-swivel. Then take two to three feet of heavier monofilament line (20 to 30 pound-test works well), and tie a loop at one end. Attach the loop to the bottom of the popping cork, and complete the rig by tying on a single number four or two bronzed hook.

Hook the little beggar just beneath the big spine atop its head, being careful to avoid the dark spot below. Lob the whole affair out onto the water, and hang on... You can also fish the shrimp on or near the bottom by freelining it or by using a split shot attached a foot or so above it. Whatever rigging approach you choose to use, the shrimp will take care of the rest...

A visit to the barrier islands can also be productive this month as the cuts will be literally swarming with fish. Remember that you don't have to own a boat to take advantage of the excellent fishing that the islands offer. An hour's ride on the Gulf Islands Excursion Ferries operating out of both Biloxi and Gulfport can have you casting to the fish by mid-morning. If you are lucky enough to own a boat or know a friend that has one, May is an excellent month to prospect for big cobia around offshore oil and gas structures too. And if you are the competitive type, the Annual Gorenflo Cobia Tournament gets underway as well. Top Dennis Meins' tournament record to collect a whopping $10,000 for your efforts. Beat the existing state record and collect another $10,000. Yes, that'd be a good day's fishing all right. Cool cash and hot fishing - what more could you ask?