By Capt. Jamie Thrappas, Yellow Dawg Fishing
June is the beginning of the heat, and it just gets hotter from now through September. That means getting up early, fishing just before dusk, or hit those lights at night! To produce fish this time of the year especially at the inlet you have to get on it early and try to avoid the crowds. Redfish, flounder, snook, tarpon, are all my target species this time of year. The redfish bite on live bait should be solid at the inlet. Use live shrimp, mullet, cut mullet or croaker and you will be able to get hooked up. I typically look for schooled up fish on outgoing tides and set up ahead of them with enough weight to hold bottom (2-3 oz egg weight) and about 24″ of 25-40# Fluoro with a 3/0-5/0 circle hook. Flounder will be up and down the rocks in the sand patches. Use a shorter 20# leader with a 2/0 circle hook and work the sandy areas.
Don’t get too excited if you think you have one, wait a minute or two to let them eat your shrimp or mud minnow then slowly reel them in, I suggest netting all keeper flounder! Snook will be good on outgoing tides at the inlet during the day. Use live mullet, shrimp, croaker, and pinfish with a longer leader with 25-40# Fluoro and a 3/0 circle. Use a pinch weight and try not to use a swivel. Stealth is key! Lastly tarpon should be around and get thicker as summer goes along. I’m going to be focusing mostly on artificial this year. I have found that 5-9″ paddle tails get the most bites, but I’ve also been getting them on larger jerk baits. I search for fish then I cast in the direction they are swimming trying to come across their paths! I hope you get out and enjoy everything that spring has to offer.
Come by our shop Yellow Dawg Bait & Tackle up in Ormond at High Bridge for your bait needs and to talk fishing. If you want to get out on the water and see what this is all about give me a shout to book a trip! As always if you see us on the water say hello!
