by Captain Terry Fisher
I am always excited when June arrives to fish anywhere around the State of Florida. Foul weather has virtually played out and consistent warm weather patterns, supported by good tides, afford opportunity that previous months can fail to deliver (especially this year). Stronger tides provide sufficient nutrients and oxygen to sustain a healthy food chain of various baits that support and ‘drive’ movement and migratory patterns of all species. Fish become more aggressive and must eat during the summer periods. Their digestive systems are designed to absorb and digest more food than during cool/cold water temperatures.
This is true for both east and west coasts of Florida. Jacksonville to Key West, host fantastic bottom fishing (shallow and deep). Yellowtail, mutton, grouper, red snapper, permit are just a few of the species to target around the reefs. Dolphin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo and kingfish (to name a few) will be found in good numbers in as little as 100 ft. depths around reefs, weed lines and driftwood. The only caveat may be the winds. My 1st Mate Vicki and I plan on trailering our 23 Pathfinder HPS to Jensen Beach or Key Largo this month to get in on some of the great action that this month offers.
The west coast has similar action from Pensacola to Naples. However, when fishing pelagic species, such as dolphin, tuna and wahoo, the further south one is located, the farther out in the gulf, one must trek. Likewise, the larger reef species; red grouper, Yellowtail, mutton and red snapper will hold on reefs forty plus miles offshore.
Closer to home, my offshore charters will consist of reefs within 10 miles of the outer islands (Sanibel, Captiva and Cayo Costa) to target cobia, permit, kingfish, Spanish mackerel, gray, lane and vermillion snappers. I recommend those wanting to fish the man-made reefs consider placing a chum block in the water to draw the fish in. I use crabs for the permit, herring and sardines, pinfish, cut baits (squid) and shrimp for the other species.
My Tarpon charters will focus along the beaches, Boca Grande Pass, Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound. Live threadfins, pinfish, crab, mullet, or ladyfish under balloons will make up for most of the presentations. Cut mullet and mackerel will be weighted and placed on the bottom, if fish are ignoring the balloons. However, when fishing Boca Grande Pass, presentations will consist of casting live baits to schools of fish or drifting weighted jigs just off the bottom.
Inshore charters will focus on particular species depending on the number of passengers and their experience. Those looking for seatrout, Spanish mackerel, pompano, small shark, and mangrove snappers, should have a ‘field’ day. Shrimp under a cork on the flats will attract all species at any given time.
Charter clients with experience and deferring to me should be happy to learn that June is usually the month the redfish action picks up. It gets better as the weeks and months progress. Summer tides allow access to areas of Matlacha Pass, all of Pine Island Sound and small creeks. Redfish are known to move in with the incoming tide for protection and food in and around Mangroves that sit on and around oyster shoals. I use big live shrimps, gold spoons and weedless soft plastics along and under the mangroves to catch these ‘bruisers’. I place the live shrimps on the bottom or under a cork with a very short leader. I chum the area up by hurling pieces of shrimp in and around my presentations, hoping to incite a feed. I only fish for redfish around the mangroves on an incoming tide.
During a high tide, big snook will be found around the mangroves and will often surprise the angler. However, when targeting snook, I fish along the beaches, along the passes, under and around docks and in the residential canals. I prefer to free-line live pilchards or threadfins when available. I also chum using these live sardines and herring to locate the fish. Otherwise, live pinfish, finger mullet or artificial presentations may get the job done for anglers with experience. I prefer to target snook on the outgoing tide. Snook season is closed for harvesting, but they are awesome game fish to test one’s angling ability.