7/21/2011
Well it is no doubt, a hot summer! All around the country we are seeing record highs. Here in Florida, we are having a typical summer pattern with early afternoon showers, following very humid and hot days. The fishing is also a little predictable this time of year. We have to change up our normal approaches to account for the often, overheated shallow waters. Most of us Clearwater Fishing Guides are seen working the beach swashes for Snook and Trout, as well as the passes where the water flows are a little cooler than the stagnant backwater locations. I was in water last week over 90 degrees! After noticing the temperature on my fish finder, I knew it was time to move west towards cooler waters. High 80's is a little more tolerable to most of our fish. However, don't forget, we are in a subtropical region so our fish do like the warmer weather. But still, they tend to get a bit lethargic in the shallow areas, especially on lower tides when they cannot access the shade of the mangroves.
Snook are still a popular target right now. The bite has began to slow for sure. Recently, I had some trips where we fished into groups of twenty or more Snook at a time. Presenting Sardines and Pinfish until we finally got a taker. Unfortunately, that was the only bite we got and had to move after a couple hours to find other, more cooperative fish. That's Snook fishing though. Varying your bait can be a way to entice Snook to eat. Grunts, Sardines, Pinfish, and Shad are all frequently successful in getting stubborn fish to react. The main thing to remember is that Snook will often eat at a specific time in relation to the tide. The fish I left the other day, may have eaten every bait we threw at them in a couple hours. The time we were there may not have been lunch time for them. That can be the frustrating side of fishing for these finicky fish. But the wait can be extremely rewarding for those willing to put in the time. As a guide, I know the potential and often have the patience to continue to present the baits in the correct manner. Once you get a 35 incher on the line, you easily forget the time it took to get hooked up, I promise!
Redfishing has proved to be difficult in the last few weeks. My best day recently was with my client, Dan Houghton. We were able to land 10 Reds after hooking 14 or 15 fish. They were all under one dock and none larger than 18 inches. They were fun to get on small sardines with a split shot near the hook to slow the baits in a quick tide. I have had other trips in the past couple of weeks when we caught one or two larger fish, but the schools are certainly fewer this month. I expect, like each year, that the fall months will see a resurgence of bigger schools gearing up for their spawn season.
Trout are plentiful on the beaches near rockpiles and deeper grass flats. The inside grass flats aren't holding the numbers they were a few weeks ago, I'm sure due to the higher temperatures. Certain flats have had a good bite nearer the passes on the incoming tides. The falling a tides are good too, especially in the morning hours. Areas that have clearer waters are always more productive than dirtier waters. Most of the Trout are on the small side, but many large fish have been caught mixed in with the Snook in swash channels along the beaches. It's always a bonus to hook a Trout over 20 inches in the middle of summer!
While Trout fishing this week, a client hooked a 90 - 100lb Tarpon on a light tackle rod. We had her on for a little over an hour before the backing line finally broke. It was exciting, but I knew the likely ending to that story. The Tarpon are still traveling the beaches, just a few yards offshore. I have had moderate success on them this year, having been focused mostly on our Snook fishing.
Soon I expect to hear that Mangrove Snapper have moved onto the nearshore reefs in greater numbers. There are Flounder being caught there already. As the water temps cool through the fall months, the reefs will be a focus once again. For now, I am moving around with several approaches to mix up our day and assure everyone is having fun on the water. Let's get you out there and enjoy the beautiful resources Florida has to offer. I have plenty of days available for August so don't hesitate. Call now at 727-365-7560 or e-mail from this website to book your trip. See ya soon...
Capt. Brian
Capt. Brian Caudill
727-365-7560
braincandle2@yahoo.com
http://www.captbrian.com/
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