The sun’s up, the waters are alive, and if you're an angler, May is your month to shine. Whether you're planning a peaceful lake escape or a fast-river challenge, this is the perfect time to cast your line with confidence.

Let’s break down the essential fishing strategies, gear picks, and pro tips you need this May to turn every trip into a success story.

When to Fish: Timing is Everything

Fish don’t love the heat—and neither should you.

• Early mornings (just as the sun rises) and post-sunset hours are the golden windows.
• During these times, the water cools down, oxygen levels go up, and fish come closer to the surface.

Pro Lure Picks for Low-Light Conditions:

• Zerek Twinkle Spoon – Flashy and effective in low light.

• Bravvo Baby Moto Frog Lure – Great for topwater action at dawn/dusk.

• Daiwa Steez Popper Frog – Perfect for targeting aggressive surface feeders.

Bonus tip: Keep your outings short during mid-day unless you’re targeting deep dwellers like catfish or eel.

Water Clarity & Lure Choice

Using the wrong lure is like showing up to a party in pajamas. Here’s how to match your lure to the water:

Crystal-clear water: Stick to natural colors—think silver, green, or brown.

• Owner CT Minnow – Subtle and lifelike for spooky fish.

• Tict Ultra Softmaterial Bait – Perfect finesse bait in clear lakes or streams.

• Zman MinnowZ – Realistic swimming action that won’t spook wary fish

Murky or muddy water: Go bold. Use bright colors or flashy gold lures to get noticed.

• Hayabusa Junky Squid Fishing Jigs – UV-reactive and highly visible.

• Allcock Weedless Frogs – Bright, weedless, and ideal for shallow vegetation.

• Drave Jump Frog – Loud, visual, and ideal for stained ponds.

Choosing the right lure instantly boosts your chances—especially for visual feeders like Mahseer and Tilapia.

 

Know Your Target Fish and Their Habitat

 

Understanding fish behavior in different water zones can drastically improve your success rate:

Top Water (0–1.5 meters deep)

Active: Early mornings and late evenings

• Species: Rohu, Catla, Tilapia
  
• Recommended Gear: Light spinning rods, floating lures, and topwater poppers.
  

Recommended Gear:

• Rod: Shimano Scimitar Light Spinning Rod

• Reel: Daiwa Crossfire LT

• Lures:

  • Halco Roosta Popper

  • Zerek Absolute Shrimp

  • Jackall Clone Frog

Mid Water (1.5–4 meters deep)

Active: Daytime

• Species: Mrigal, Silver Carp, Mahseer
  
• Recommended Gear: Medium spinning rods, crankbaits, inline spinners

Recommended Gear:

• Rod: Berkley Lightning Rod – Medium

• Reel: Abu Garcia Revo X

• Lures:

  • Mepps Aglia Spinner

  • Abu Garcia Fast Attack Spinner

  • Zerek Barra X Pro

  • Bravvo Balto Spinnerbait

Deep Water (4+ meters deep)

Active: Night or early morning

• Species: Catfish, Murrel, Eel
  
• Recommended Gear: Heavy rods, bottom rigs, live bait setups
  

Recommended Gear:

• Rod: Daiwa BG Heavy Action

• Reel: Shimano Sienna 4000

• Lures & Rigs:

  • Strike Moto Esto 15 for vertical jigging

  • Hayabusa Jack Eye Air Jerk Scale Jig

  • Live bait setup with Lucana Ultra Minnow as backup

Habitat Preferences of Popular Game Fish

Mahseer: Prefer fast-flowing rivers and streams. Use strong spinning reels with fast-action rods for powerful fights.

Top Lures:

• Duo Realis Crankbait

• Savage Gear Ti-Flex

• Glitter Minnow

Snakehead: Thrive in still or weedy water bodies like ponds or slow canals. Weedless frogs or live bait work best here.

Lure Picks:

• Monster Frog Lures

• Zeel Frog Lures

• Black Mamba Weedless

Always carry both live bait and lures to adapt to the day’s conditions. Sometimes, a simple change can make the difference between a slow day and a successful catch.

Essential Gear for May Fishing

May fishing is all about being ready for anything. Here’s what your tackle box should include:

• Rods: 

  • Light to Medium: Shimano Scimitar, Daiwa Procaster

  • Medium-Heavy: Berkley Lightning Rod, Daiwa BG Heavy
    

• Reels: 

  • Daiwa Revros LT – Smooth drag, perfect for finesse

  • Shimano FX4000 – Great for larger species
    

• Lines: 

  • Braided 15–30 lb (Try Berkley Fireline or Daiwa J-Braid)

  • Pair with fluorocarbon leaders in clear waters.
    

• Lures: 

  • Topwater: Bravvo Spy, Halco Roosta Popper, Petta Rap

  • Spinners & Spoons: Abu Garcia Droppen, Zerek Twinkle Spoon, Asari Fat Boy

  • Jigs & Soft Plastics: Zman Billy Goat, Hayabusa Squid Junky, Tict Worms

  • Versatile: Jackson Athlete+ SVG, Littma Rong, Komodo125
    

• Live bait: Earthworms, small fish, shrimp—always carry some backup
  
  

Pro move: Pack both live bait and artificial lures. Some days, fish are picky, and switching it up can save the day.

Quickfire Pro Tips for May

 

• Scout early: Check water levels and temperatures before your trip.
  
• Stay mobile: If the fish aren’t biting, change spots every 30–45 minutes.
  
  
• Tidy up your gear: Replace rusty hooks, check line tension, and pre-tie leaders.
  
  
• Practice catch and release when targeting native or non-edible species.

Final Cast: Be Ready, Stay Sharp

May is when the bite heats up—if you know what you’re doing. With the right gear, timing, and tactics, you’ll turn every fishing trip into a memory worth bragging about.

Looking to gear up?
Explore our top rods, reels, and tackle kits at Fishingmonk.
We’ve got everything from beginner bundles to pro setups built for serious anglers.

Ready to make May your most successful fishing month yet?
You bring the passion—we’ll supply the tools.