by Capt. Brent Bensmiller
We’ve been catching a mixed bag of species this summer with more reds and snook chewing lately. Baitfish have been plentiful and it’s possible to get a net-full casting near the inlets just off the beach. Load up your bait buckets or livewell and head to the mangroves!
The passes have been thick with many species including redfish, mangrove snapper, snook, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, and Jack crevalle. All of these fish have been feeding heavily on schools of pilchards, so using those for bait will yield great results. Fish the incoming tide and focus on the deeper cuts, casting near any type of structure. These gamefish will be holding tight against thick cover so you need to cast as close as possible. If you are not snagging up and breaking off here and there, then you will not be catching! (Please retrieve your snagged line.) Redfish have made their presence known ambushing baits quickly and we’ve been landing numerous fish in short periods of time. After anchoring up, give your spot at least half an hour to determine whether it’s going to produce or to try the next spot. Once you get some bloody and oily pilchards in the water with a scent trail going, it will not take long to get the fish out of hiding.
Along the beach the shark bite has been hot during the late afternoon going into the evening! Blacktips are thick just off the beach and we’ve seen multiple species of hammerheads off the beach and on the flats. Cut baits on the bottom are always best or if you are drifting, live pilchards or mullet will find the action. Water temps will stay in the mid to high 80’s heading into later summer and the bite can get even hotter once the sun drops if you are willing to put in the time! Good luck out there guys and we’ll see you on the water!
