[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s I am writing this we are just finishing up with The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. There was a great turnout with nearly 150 boats, the fishing was fair overall but not as good as hoped. Immediately following we have started back on our charter fishing routine and man have things changed!
There has always been plenty of hot water everywhere in July, which is nothing new. What is going to be interesting to see is what the early start will bring. Mid June already has the hot gulf stream water pushed inshore as far as the 14 buoy, the fish have spread out and we are already beginning our mid-summer tactics. Smaller baits, dredges, starting closer to shore, pulling dolphin weenies down weed lines looking for larger schools of bailer sized mahi – it’s already here in June, there is no telling what we will see by late July!
Hot water summer fishing generally coincides with calmer weather. You are not going to be finding much in the way of temp breaks, maybe just a few tenths of a degree. Most folks will start investigating any weed line you can find and if it’s not holding the fish you can move on somewhere else. Once you find a productive spot stay with it, but be prepared for a crowd to show up as this is when most everyone gets their boats out. Keep your baits small for the most part, small naked ballyhoo with circle hooks or on a dink hook. You can also try dolphin weenies or very small plugs (Laceration Lures makes a monk plug clone that works well). Keep some cut chunks or chum handy to toss out around any larger weed patches you find and you will probably see the bailers some piling out. Once you get one on, keep him in the water until you hook another 1 or 2 – if you keep tossing the chum and keep one hooked up in the water you can keep the school around. Please, think about what you really need – nobody needs to sink the boat with fish, most of it will end up getting freezer burnt before you ever use it!
There will be an occasional wahoo around, often times found on one of the nearshore reefs or wrecks. The sailfish and white marlin numbers will increase and this is a great time to catch one. We normally keep at least 1 dredge out every day and keep an eye on the spread in case a billfish sneaks into the spread. It’s not a bad idea to keep some squid and bottom fishing gear with you in case the trolling bite is slow.
There will be a lot more boat traffic than normal during the summer so common sense and a little courtesy goes a long ways, if a boat is working on a school of bailers or is set up on a float – wait your turn before just piling in on top of someone. Do not keep more than you can realistically use, it is a terrible shame to waste our resource. Plan ahead, be prepared and get out there and have fun!
Captain Troy Pate
[easy-social-share]