By Capt. Mike Weinhofer
This year it seems as if the weather is running a month or two behind normal. April and May having more north winds and cold fronts than normal. Water temperatures are slow to warm so as we enter in the June the waters will warm.
June is one of my favorite months with warming waters and predominantly east winds the fishing lights up. There is a reason charters book June fishing days, months, even years in advance. In the blue water the east current is flowing in as close as 100feet of water. The sailfish line up in the east current to feed, surfing down the faces of the waves. This is known as tailing, when the east current bucks up against an east wind. Not only do sailfish tail but cobia, blackfin tuna and yes, on the odd occasion we will see bluefin tuna in the 300-900 lbs size surfing down the waves looking for food. Tailing fish are suckers for live bait but don’t cross their path. What I’m saying is don’t place the boat in front or behind tailing fish it drives them to the bottom. Always approach tailers from the side on a shallow angle for best results. Cast far enough in front of the fish so it has time to react and also watch the live bait struggle. All the while offshore in the 300-700 foot depth the dolphin are feeding. Many times we will start off our day sail fishing then run offshore another couple miles to find the dolphin. The wahoo are also out there under debris and weed lines.
The reef fishing in June is also coming alive with large mutton snappers and the ever present yellowtails. This is the month of the mutton spawn and also the mangrove spawn around the full and new moon phase. Remember in June as the water clears you need to use light fluro carbon leader for the line shy yellowtail. It is common to go all the way down to 12 lbs test fluro for the yellowtail. The great news also is grouper is back opened, so spend a little time putting down a knocker rig for dinner.
The gulf water are a lot of fun also with cobia and sharks on the wrecks and even permit. The best bait for permit is a live crab{silver dollar sized} on a small lead jig head. The cobia will swallow a live pinfish or grunt. Always have something rigged up for cobia when you get out there because when they come up they are looking for food and will sometimes just swim away if you miss your opportunity. Offshore in the gulf the shrimp boats are full with bonitas and tunas waiting for someone to come play. If you always wanted to catch a blackfin tuna on fly this is the perfect opportunity.
The tarpon are back to the deeper channels as well as on the flats. The warmer days you will find tarpon searching the channel edges waiting for bait washing off the flats with the falling waters. The bonefish and the permit will come back to the shallows as well.
All in all June fishing is a blast. One of the hardest decisions you may have is which way to go and what to target, there are so many opportunities.
Capt Mike Weinhofer
Compass Rose Charters, 305-395-3474
www.KeyWestFloridaFishing.com