By: Capt. Greg Poland
Idon’t know about you, but it’s been hot out on the water! I’ve been fishing under the shade of the bridges up and down the Overseas Highway, but now that the silver kings are moving away from the bridges, I find myself back out in the sunshine and really glad to have a T-top to hide from the midday sun and afternoon showers.
My fishing will shift from local waters back to the Flamingo Bay area, especially on those calm mornings when an early start makes all the difference. We’ll be concentrating on the shorelines for snook and juvenile tarpon, and it’s the perfect time for a family trip if you’d like to introduce your kids to the beauty of the Everglades.
I’ve been fishing the Glades since junior high and still love everything about it. There is nothing quite like watching a pod of dolphins chase down a school of mullet or seeing an osprey swoop down to grab a fish and carry it back to one of the many nests scattered along the mangrove shorelines. The fishing can be incredible, with opportunities to catch a wide variety of species, and we’re fortunate to have this amazing National Park so close and accessible. If you’ve never experienced the Everglades and would like to come fishing with me for the day, my contact information is below.
If bringing home dinner, it is a great time to head offshore for mahi-mahi. Look for weed lines, floating debris, and diving birds. If you have SiriusXM Fish Mapping, turn it on and use it. I rely on it every time I head offshore, and it definitely helps narrow down productive areas. With the price of fuel these days, every little advantage count. A good pair of binoculars can be a huge help, especially for those fishing from smaller boats without towers. I like to scan the horizon for birds and floating debris, then work those areas thoroughly.
Live bait is always an advantage, so dust off that cast net or Sabiki rig and fill the livewell before heading out. If live bait isn’t an option, don’t worry. I’ve been having good luck with squid, which is readily available at the local tackle shops, as well as smaller trolling lures. Once I locate a weed line or floating debris, I like to put out a trolling lure while we continue searching. When we find a school of mahi, we’ll cast a spinning rod rigged with squid or live bait out in front of the fish and hold on tight.
One of my favorite tricks is to leave the first fish in the water alongside the boat. Doing so often keeps the rest of the school around and gives everyone a chance to grab a light spinning rod or fly rod and enjoy some fast-paced action. If you’re lucky, you can catch and release plenty of fish while keeping a few of the larger ones for dinner.
— Visit Capt. Greg at 305.393.3327 or email
gregpoland@icloud.com | Instagram: gregpoland
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