Aug 18, 2010
No doubt the story is the heat! Fishing during the summer typically means beginning and ending day early. Generally the best fishing is thought to be during the early morning hours. Nonetheless, those venturing out during the afternoon could find some outstanding fishing! Fish and fishermen are creatures of habit. If an area has received little or no pressure during the afternoon for several weeks you could find yourself in unexpected fishing bonanza. Granted fishing during a summer afternoon has its own problems: afternoon pop up thunderstorms and a strong east sea breeze. On the other hand there will afternoons that just prefect with likely not a sole in sight. Before you get all primed remember that afternoon fishing is problematic depending on the weather.
As Labor Day draws near the flounder bite is picking up! Flounder will readily take a shrimp, a finger mullet or mud minnow. Also don’t forget a simply white curled tail grub is another excellent flounder bait! Last week as tides intensified fish were harder to find. Fishermen fishing spots with clean water caught some nice redfish and flounder! Even some triple tails have pushed onto the flats. Triple tail like cobia or kingfish are likely best caught on the change of the tide. While the number of triple on the flats could be interesting these fish are caught by accident while fishing for redfish.
Lots of little redfish on the flats. Best action is generally found fishing close to the grass. One suggestion if you are catching lots of little redfish release your fish on the side closest to grass. This thought is the fish might quickly find marsh and not fall prey to a dolphin. An occasional sea turtle can be seen popping its head out of the water. These are curious creatures and can mistakenly eat your shrimp. If one pops up where you’re fishing let it pass before casting. The probability of hooking one is low but it can happen. Another creature to watch for are dolphins. Many boaters fail to slow down. Even it this creature is more than capable of getting out your way slowing down could make its day a little nicer. In recent days there have a few manatees sighted in our waters. Like dolphin give these creatures a wide berth if spotted. A tell tale sign of a manatee is something that looks like a hole in water. Try to avoid running over what anything that looks like a hole in the water.
Good sea trout action up and down the coast! Most of these fish are between 12 and 12 1/2 inches, a little small. Nonetheless a great sign for the fall! Some bigger seatrout being caught. The seatrout bite is still off. The ladyfish around 13 inches are on flats. These small ladyfish are a great bait for shark and tarpon! Typically if you are fishing a ladyfish you going catch something big!
The whiting bite while not red hot is still productive with some whiting being found close to the sandbars. Some nice sized spanish on beachfront.
Cast netters are finding lots of small shrimp in the backwaters. Try casting closer to the sounds for the larger shrimp. Plenty of larger the shrimp close to the sound have red legs so they on the move. Just as in fishing “fish have tails”, “shrimp have tails”. This means shrimp like fish will be on move. As the fall progresses look for more shrimp and fish in the back waters.
Tides for the remainder of the week look pretty nice! The heat will likely be the big factor. Drink plenty of water. If the heat begins to get to you my suggestion is turn on the Yamaha air conditioning (pull anchor and start motoring), wipe your face and head with a cool moist cloth and head in. Typically the bite slows during the heat of the day.
Hope this of interest and help!
*****Mark your calendar for Thursday Sep 2nd. 6:30 to 7:30pm for “A Fall Inshore Fishing Seminar presented by Capt. Jack McGowan” at the Bahia Bleu Marina hosted by the Bahia Bleu Marina and Freedom Boat Club.*****
Please contact Ron or Susie at marina for ticket information 912.354.2283.
Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan