By: Capt. Greg Poland
This month means hot temperatures, afternoon thunderstorms, and some outstanding fishing if you’re willing to get an early start. This time of year, we’re leaving the dock around 5:30-6:00 a.m., and by the time we’re halfway to Flamingo, the sun is just coming up over Florida Bay. It’s one of my favorite times of the year to be on the water, and the sunrises alone are worth the early alarm clock.
The backcountry has been producing some fantastic action with snook and juvenile tarpon along the shorelines and potholes of Everglades National Park. Live pilchards and pinfish are my go-to baits, but they are hard to find and even harder to keep overnight. We’ve been having success with artificial lures like soft plastics and even a little fly fishing. Summer shrimp are tiny this time of year and honestly not worth using, so try some of the soft plastics that imitate the small baitfish these predators are feeding on.
If you are using live bait, my favorite setup is a 7-foot spinning rod spooled with 15-20 lb. braided line, paired with either a heavy-duty jighead or a circle hook with just enough weight to keep the bait in the strike zone. Another productive technique is suspending a live bait beneath a cork about six feet above the hook and letting it drift naturally along the mangrove shorelines. When that cork disappears, hang on!
If you’d rather head offshore, the mahi bite has been worth the run whenever the weather cooperates. I start searching in 1600-1800 feet of water, keeping an eye out for birds, weed lines, and floating debris. A small trolling lure or rigged squid is a great way to locate fish, and I always keep a live bait ready in the well. Once one mahi is hooked, there’s often another one following close behind, and that’s when a well-placed live bait can turn one fish into two.
The biggest challenge this month hasn’t been the fishing, it’s been the afternoon thunderstorms. Thankfully, my new 29-foot Contender is equipped with SiriusXM Marine Weather, which has been a huge help in navigating around the storms and keeping everyone safe. Between the roomy layout, plenty of shade under the T-top, and the ability to comfortably fish both the backcountry and offshore, it’s been an incredible addition to my charter business.
Whether you’re looking to chase snook in the mangroves, jump a few tarpon, or fill the cooler with fresh mahi for dinner, summer can offer some of the best fishing of the year. Just beat the heat, keep an eye on the weather, and enjoy everything the Florida Keys has to offer.
Stay safe, stay cool, and if you’d like to spend a morning on the water, give me a call. I’d love to show you around the Keys and hopefully help you make a few memories, and catch a few fish along the way!
— Visit Capt. Greg at 305.393.3327 or email gregpoland@icloud.com | Instagram: gregpoland Facebook: Fishing in the Florida Keys with Capt. Greg Poland