by: Capt. Rachel Cato
Just because the water temperature rises, it doesn’t mean the fishing slows. Actually, I tend to find a better bite early in August due to heavier rain fall. Summertime storms help to cool the water temperature, which will get the fish more interested in eating. Absolutely find water current and work with the wind, if your line stays limp move on. Sometimes it takes moving around 4-5 different stops until you get a good feel for current and wind. Keep in mind fish will drop out to the deeper and cooler water.
Be ready for any species by having a variety of bait. Generally, you will find larger scaled sardines in deeper water like the Skyway fishing piers, as well as large threadfins. Grass flats will hold the smaller sized bait varieties, sometimes preferred by all species. Try different sized bait, hooked and presented several ways, until you find what the fish want, which means you’ll want to have two different sized nets, at least a 1/4 and 3/8 in mesh should cover it. If you are getting a lot of bait stuck in the 3/8-inch net at their gills go up or down a size. If the really small bait is mixed in with bigger bait try a 1/2-inch mesh. This larger mesh will allow the fry bait to swim out and catch the larger bait generally deeper below. So let’s say you finally get enough bait and you’re not exhausted….now it’s time to fish! Mangrove snapper should be invading the flats and snatching your baits, downsize to a #1 hook and small bait. Snook, reds and trout are going to surprise you by often getting caught together in a close area. If you keep finding your bait stolen, try a 2x extra-long J hook, this will help catch the mackerel and bluefish running through. Adding a weighted cork will help you to cast the smaller bait or slow the bigger bait down. All fish are looking for food, so where there is free food you will find fish.