With all that’s going on in the world right now, I am blessed to live in the great state of Florida. We still have a lot of freedom that other states do not. The best is the freedom to fish. I just keep hoping the virus, hurricanes, red tide or, better yet, politics won’t stop us from fishing. As we all know, don’t talk about politics (it’s a no win), let’s talk about fishing.
The Gulf waters are still warm. With this in mind, you need to be more creative in your fishing skills. When I fish offshore with theses conditions, I like to start out chumming with either cut up threadfins or with my secret recipe mixture of oats, sand, menhaden oil and jack/mackerel. This helps get the fish in a feeding frenzy. I like to start out catching grunts. Grunts are usually quite abundant and easy to catch (great if you have kids on the boat). I like light tackle with about 1 ounce of weight, a 3/0 circle hook and cut bait like squid. Once I get these guys biting, I’ll put out a couple of bigger setups with 60-pound mono and enough weight to keep the bait on the bottom with a 7/0 circle hook. Baits can be live pinfish, shrimp, frozen bait like threadfin, squid or fresh cut baits. When using circle hooks, wait until you feel some hard thumps on the line then slowly lift. When the rod is almost pulled out of your hands, reel-reel-reel. The first thing a grouper will do is head for the closest rock and you will be “rocked up.” Do not, and I repeat do not, do the Bassmaster hook set–you will more than likely pull the bait away. With circle hooks, the fish will set the hook.
Scallop season has been the best in years. Reports all along the coast are reporting a really good season and it should continue. This is a great time of year to go scalloping with the water temperatures in the upper 80’s. In 4 to 8 feet of water, you should be able to get your limits.
Get out there on the water and make some memories with friends and family!