Summer Is Here & So Are The Fish!
Inshore Fishing
The inshore bite for Flounder this month is the hottest thing going with water temperatures now up to the 80+ degree mark. Focus on fishing creek mouths, docks, and the rip-rap adjacent to deeper water. As for bait, I’ve been having great days fishing Mud Minnows and Finger Mullet around the prior suggested areas. Casting artificial bait will also bring in those tasty Flounder. Use a 1/4 oz. Jig Head with a 3-4 in. white shrimp or swimming mullet pattern.
The Redfish and Trout bite have been better early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as they are hiding in cooler water during the heat of the day. These fish have been spread out quite a bit, so you may have to take a seat and wait a while for them to come to you.
Offshore Fishing
The beach bite in 30 ft. – 50 ft. of water is now heating up with the hot summer Sun. With the start of shrimping season, the trawlers are out dragging and certain fish are taking notice. The Kingfish, Crevalle Jack, Sharks, and Tarpon are keying in on the shrimp boat by-catch. Slow troll live Pogies on Kingfish rigs for some great family fun, reeling in these hard fighting fish.
Heading offshore from 9 mi. – 15 mi. out, trolling live baits will yield you Kingfish, Bonita, Cobia, Mahi-Mahi, and the occasional Sailfish. The deep water trolling at the ledge has slowed as the Gulfstream water has gotten warmer. Talking with local sportfish boat captains, there have been Sailfish, a few Mahi’s, but mostly just pesky Barracudas steeling the baits. Most sportfish boats have been trolling ’til about 11 a.m., then switching to bottom fishing. The bite for Mangrove & Mutton Snappers have been great in the 100 ft. – 130 ft. range of water depth. Use long leaders with 60-80 pound floro-carbon leader line and 4/0 hooks. Live or dead Sardines and Cigar Minnows are the bait of choice. Don’t forget the squid bait either for catching your Porgies, Vermillion Snappers, and Triggerfish.
‘Til next month, be safe and tight lines-
Capt. Scott Shank
Full House Fishing Charters
904-669-9940
Wanting to head offshore but need a bigger boat? Trying to get up in creeks in drafting to much? Stop in to Waylen Bay Marine for the perfect Offshore or Flats boat.
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