August offshore fishing can sometimes be a challenge. The cold water is usually still around and causing issues for bottom fishing and finding bait. By cold water, I’m talking about the yearly thermocline. Just because you can’t get a bottom bite going doesn’t mean the bottom fish don’t come up in the water column a little. Get on the wrecks and chum. You will find the cold pushes the fish up. They try to get to the warm water level. It’s not uncommon at all to see amberjack, snapper, cobia, mangroves, and many other species not far from the surface. Picking out the biggest fish can be fun.
Mahi – cold water really pushes those mahi up in the stream as well. Get out there and put your best baits out. Now is the time to get them. If you have no luck out deep, go to 8a and troll fast through the reef. We catch many fish even wahoo on 8a reef. Kingfish should continue to do well, many fish in the 40/50lb class have been caught recently. Fast troll is difficult with pogies, use ballyhoos and high-speed lures.
Nearshore beach fishing is going to really be picking up. The tarpon are there and rolling every day. Beach fishing in 20-30 feet is a blast. You’d be amazed how shallow all these fish come in; Kings, bonito, crevalle’s and many other fun-fighting fish. Look for the schools of bunker (pogies/ menhaden shad). When you find them, you will find the fish – start fishing. Don’t leave the bait schools as the predators will be nearby.
Shark fishing is about as good as it gets right now. If you’re looking for some fun with the kids, anchor up in 20 feet off the beach and hold on. Good luck and we hope to see you out there! www.firedupcharters.com
