August is considered by most anglers to be the “dog days” of summer, and it can make for some tough fishing conditions. Water temps are at their highest and the water itself can become stagnant. The best ways to beat the heat and the conditions is to fish the earliest part of the morning and/or the latest part of the evenings, and also around the largest tide movements of the day. Whether it’s a rising or a falling tide, there needs to be some water movement to improve the bite.
However, there can still be success on the water in August with speckled trout, redfish, flounder, jacks, sharks, bluefish and more, and live baiting is the key. Whether it’s live pilchards, small pinfish or finger mullet, it doesn’t matter, they all work great! Focus on the deeper grass edges of the flats and deeper flats themselves; anywhere in 4- to 8-feet of water around these transitions and channel edges with grass. Live baits on bottom rigs, 1/2 ounce weight, 20 lb. test mono leader and 2/0 VMC circle hook work best. Free-lining the pilchards will work great too. Try to focus on the outside edges during the falling tide for best results.
CAPT. JORDAN TODD
Saltwater Obsessions
850-227-6550