May is a rich month for anglers

Despite a limited amount of hunting opportunity — one day of turkey season and 15 days of spring squirrel season — May truly is an excellent month to be a Mississippi sportsman and a great time to have this issue of Mississippi Sportsman magazine.

For example, the fifth month is full of exciting topwater bass action in the Magnolia State. Few scenes in fishing can match the exhilaration generated by a largemouth bass blowing up on a surface lure, and writer Mike Giles offers us a look into one of the oldest styles of topwater baits. Propeller baits elicit some of the most powerful strikes in the sports and Giles gives expert tips on how, when and where to throw those plugs in Mississippi.

In another feature, writer David Hawkins takes us around the state to find the hottest largemouth bass lakes. Use his story to help plan trips to enjoy some productive waters this year.

The Mayfly hatch

Mississippi’s most sought-after gamefish is much smaller, but arguably the best eating: bream. Bluegills and a few other panfish species will bed on the full and new moons in May, again in June and every other summer month. When bream bed, they are extremely vulnerable, but there’s another natural phenomenon that will produce even faster action, especially for a fly fisherman. It’s a Mayfly hatch, when the favorite winged prey of bluegills appears from the depths to begin a short, 24-hour life span. Writer Phillip Gentry offers expert tips on how to turn such a hatch into a limit of bluegill.

Kathrine Brumfield killed this double-bearded gobbler on April 2 near Summit.

We’re not overlooking coastal fishermen either, as one of Mississippi’s top Gulf Coast charter captains discusses the many ways he finds and catches redfish in the waters connected to the Mississippi Sound. Whether you’re seeking reds to eat, called slot reds, or looking to battle monsters, called bull reds, May is the last good month to find them before the fall season.

This issue of Mississippi Sportsman offers all those fact-filled features and more. Read, enjoy and learn, and then get out on the water and catch some memories.

About Bobby Cleveland 1343 Articles
Bobby Cleveland has covered sports in Mississippi for over 40 years. A native of Hattiesburg and graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Cleveland lives on Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson with his wife Pam.

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