Speckled trout should begin their peak run starting this month. Along the beaches, waders can have success tossing chartreuse/white Clouser Minnows. In the marsh, topwater action will be good early using Perch Float Poppers or Bob’s Bangers in green/white or chartreuse, or Skipping Bugs in red/white.
When it’s a bit too windy or too late in the morning or too late in the day for topwater action, be prepared to fish charlies or clousers under a VOSI (flyrodder’s popping cork). Lightly jerk the tip of the fly rod to get the pop, then pause a couple seconds before popping again. Most of the strikes will come on the pause.
Now that shrimp and crabs have flooded the interior marshes, it’s “match the hatch” for redfish. Tossing a crab pattern will get results! In the thicker grass, go with bendbacks and spoon flies. Also try poppers early for some exciting action.
In freshwater, bream are taking popping bugs early and late. In midday, try fluff butts, cap spiders, jitterbees and other weighted patterns over bedding areas. In north Louisiana lakes, redear activity will peak this month. Try the beadhead Hares Ear about 3 feet under a small strike indicator for the chinquapin.
May also brings schooling hybrid stripers in lakes Claiborne and Cane River. Try baitfish patterns such as Clousers, Deceivers, and Whitlock Baitfish on an intermediate or sink-tip line. This application also works well on hybrids at night under lights on lakes Concordia and St. John.
