by Capt. Bill D’Antuono
Being a sportsman means you are always adapting to climate, harsh conditions and fishing seasons. Offshore fishing requires you to be very tuned in with weather patterns, especially in the summer and fall. With typical summer storm patterns there is always a thundercloud looming and some days are better than others. Species seasonal changes are pretty exciting, in my opinion, and keep things interesting. Targeting different fish at different times of the year is a huge part of fishing.
Many people have asked me which offshore weather forecast site is best. For whatever reason, my go-to weather apps and websites have been abysmal in recent months. The NOAA forecast website can no longer be trusted, Windfinder I have given up on and a handful of others are no longer reliable. Sailflow is the only app in recent months that I can count on. It is truly dangerous to have these forecasts be 2-3 feet off of the true wave height. I am fortunate enough to have a large boat that can handle most things Mother Nature has up her sleeve. With any forecasting tool, make sure to use the offshore buoy and not the nearshore buoys, you will get totally different results.
Recently we have put some nice amberjack in the boat along with plus-size lobster and red grouper. AJ opened up August 1st in the Gulf and lobster opened statewide August 6th. Amberjack can primarily be found on wrecks 30-miles-plus offshore but can also be found on some prime natural bottom and springs in deeper water. If you are on a good AJ spot they will swim right up to the back of the boat when you arrive. Be ready to battle these giants, they call them reef donkeys for a reason!
Be safe on the water and study up on seasonal changes. Study the weather and fish patterns too, it will lead to better and more successful days on the water. Check my Instagram or my website for my latest trips, we never come home disappointed!
