Hammerhead sharks will be common catches throughout the islands.

Whatever the case, you can relieve even the most severe anxieties and forget most dire problems by simply selecting one of May’s many piscatorial delights.

Choices range from giant tarpon and grandiose snook for the backwater specialist to cobia, permit, grouper, snapper and more tarpon and snook for the offshore angler. If you have a death wish, you can battle with sharks in either place, and barracuda will erase any nightmares you might be having. Unfortunately, these dreams are usually replaced with 3-D images of hideous sets of ragged, jagged teeth flying right into your face, which, coincidentally, is very similar to the actual experience of barracuda fishing.

Because of the tremendous variety in May, there is no better time to plan a week-long trip to the Islands. You can fish seven days and target a different species each day.

The best backwater fishing will center around the outside islands, points and passes. Huge snook will patrol the passes and points while enjoying a seafood buffet of shiners, glass minnows, thread herring and mullet. These big snook have not eaten much all winter, and they are getting ready for the spawn, so they are hungry. During the day you can watch them as they blast baits out of the water. At night, you can hear them as they “pop”, burp and glug while enjoying a little evening snack. Toss a live bait or well-presented lure into this mayhem, and you will most likely have a snook as a dinner guest that night.

All of the region’s passes are good—New Pass and Big Carlos in the north, Gordon, Little Marco, Caxambas and Cape Romano in the middle, and all of the many cuts that run through the islands farther south. The Huston, Chatham, Lostmans, Broad and Rogers rivers are all also excellent areas for snook fishing in May.

Tarpon, many over 100 pounds, will also be seeking food in all of the above passes, as well as along the beaches. The beaches of Keewaydin Island are famous in this area, however, the beaches around Wiggins Pass actually hold more fish and offer more consistent tarpon fishing.

The fish will range from 100 yards offshore out to about five miles. Birds and bait are certainly indicators of fish, as are boats with towers. For the best results, find your own school by sight fishing. A tower or flybridge certainly helps, but it is not necessary. Keep looking and you will see rolling or free-jumping fish.

Once you find your school, determine if they are moving or simply lingering in an area. If they are moving, set yourself up in front of the fish, chum heavily and let them come to you.

If the fish are stationary, you can either drift through them, or very quietly approach and anchor near the school. Then, spread your baits, hold onto your pole and get ready for one of the most exciting 30 minutes of your life.

Twenty- to 30-pound tackle is ideal, with 100-pound leader. Baits of choice are live shad, thread herring, pinfish and blue runners. Cutbaits include shad, mullet, mackerel and catfish. Chumming always increases your chances, but nothing is certain when tarpon fishing. Some days they snub the most well-presented, disguised baits and other days, they snatch the chumbag off the back of your boat, and after swallowing, come back for more.