Beat the heat — fish early or late for hot action
If you haven’t noticed, we’ve finally fallen into our summer pattern and by pattern I mean hot.
Temperatures in the mid to upper 90s are an everyday occurrence now. This, in turn, brings those water temps up, and I think the fish notice as much as we do.
Flats fishing is producing a bite, although you may want to try fishing early mornings, when air and water temps are slightly cooler. Typically, while on this schedule, I’m noticing the bite to be more consistent — not to mention the cool air of the morning is easier on my anglers. I’m experiencing rallies of catch-and-release snook during these early morning trips, which is great. Most catches are 20-30 inches.
As the morning heats up and gets toward noon, I’m migrating to deeper water, where spotted seatrout are lurking. Flats in depths of 6-8 feet remain slightly cooler toward the grassy bottom, which is a refuge from the heat for these trout. Also, as we’re catching trout, we’re finding bluefish, Spanish macks and even a jack or two ready and willing to mix up the action.
In addition, nearshore structure is producing mangrove snapper and flounder. If you’re looking for food fish, these two are some of the best. The snapper are a little wary to bite, so I’m chumming and instructing my clients to free-line small shiners or hatch bait slowly back on our chum slick. As for the flounder, a 1/2-ounce knocker rig baited with a live shiner is resulting in fish in the 15- to 22-inch range.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing offshore structure in depths of 35-50 feet of water. By fishing reefs and ledges, Girle is positioning his clients to catch a variety of species, including gag and red grouper, mangrove snapper and cobia. For bait, live shiners or pinfish are top picks.
Moving inshore, Girle is catching tarpon along the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key. Live crabs or threadfin herring are the popular bait for Girle. Silver kings of 80-120 pounds are the norm, with larger fish mixed in.
Capt. Aaron Lowman is working the nearshore wrecks and reefs with good results. Live shiners as bait are producing mangrove snapper, gag grouper, flounder and Spanish mackerel for his clients. Larger baits — pinfish or fresh-cut chunks of mackerel — are attracting attention from blacktip sharks and cobia.
Lowman also is targeting tarpon along the beaches of Anna Maria. Live crabs or threadfin herring are his baits of choice and the best times for a hookup with these silver kings is either early morning or evening, just prior to sunset.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says Spanish mackerel are becoming more frequent as larger schools of hatch bait congregate around the pier, where rtificials such as silver spoons, Gotcha plugs or speck rigs are top producers for bait. Mixed in with the macks are jack crevalle, ladyfish and the occasional bluefish.
Although only catch-and-release, snook are visiting the deck during evening and night hours. Schooley and slot-size fish are being taken on live shiners or pinfish. Also, artificials such as the Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow will intrigue the snook enough to bite.
In addition, pier fishers using live shrimp are reeling up mangrove snapper, black drum, flounder and a random sheepshead.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is fishing the flats for catch-and-release snook. Rallies of snook are occurring during early morning hours just after sunrise. Live shiners free-lined over sandy potholes and around mangrove branches are being quickly inhaled by hungry snook.
Spotted seatrout are being caught on the flats, although in slightly deeper water. Deep grass flats where sandy potholes are present are holding plenty of slot-size trout. Live shiners free-lined in these areas are producing a bite. Mixed in with the trout are jacks, bluefish and ladyfish.
Capt. Jason Stock is fishing offshore structure for permit. Fish 10-40 pounds are being taken by using live pass crabs as bait. Along with permit, Stock is hooking up with mangrove snapper, cobia and goliath grouper. For the snapper and cobia, live shiners are working great. As for the goliaths, any large bait can result in a hookup.
Moving inshore, Stock is stalking tarpon, as well as some large bull sharks. Tarpon are being found during early morning tides around sunrise. As for the bull sharks, anytime of day will work for the big game.
Capt. David White of Great White Charters reports fishing for mangrove snapper has been “phenomenal.” The nearshore reefs and wrecks were exceptionally productive for his clients, with an occasional gag grouper in the mix. And, he says, the Spanish mackerel are showing up behind the small-fry bait that’s filling the bays and beaches.
The tarpon are still around, although finding the right school is key, as the fish are pretty spooky. Shark fishing is good right now — very prevalent with the warmer temperatures. White also found the deeper flats holding lots of action on catch-and-release snook and an occasional redfish.
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