BACKCOUNTRY / BAY / INSHORE:
The heat is on and so is the fishing! Speckled trout and redfish are having a great summer and are all over the grass flats in the bay. The trout are pushed up on the flats early in the morning in about 1-3 feet of water feeding on shrimp, mullet, and greenbacks (which should be your live bait of choice.) But don’t overlook the power of a top-water lure before the sun gets high. Some large schools of redfish are also pushing up on the flats and can be easily sight fished if you are quiet and patient when creeping along. Just look for the those tails in the air or the water being pushed, then ease ahead or along-side just into casting range and lay your lure or bait in there. Also, around the docks in the bay, there are plenty of redfish hiding in the shade when the sun is high. The trick is that you have to get close to the structure and have heavy gear to pull them out from under the docks and boats. Out in the deeper waters of the bays, lots of Spanish mackerel are being caught trolling spoons and tree rigs as well as casting to them from the beaches and jetties. Under the bridges, some bull reds are being caught fishing on the bottom around the pilings with small crabs or shrimp. Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are plentiful on the structures, bridges, and jetties using a lightweight bottom rig with a small live shrimp or sand flea. The pompano are scattered down the beach, but are still being caught sight fishing right on the beach in 2-4 feet of water. Use a shrimp tipped pompano jig bounced along the bottom when you see their shadows. Stop and see the good people at Howell Tackle, Half-Hitch, or any of the other great local tackle shops for the latest in what’s working and the rest of your tackle needs.
OFFSHORE:
The federal snapper season (outside of 9 miles) for recreational anglers begins June 1st and ends June 3rd. You read that correctly, 3 days of snapper season! You can however hire a guide to take you into federal waters and harvest snapper through June 20th. The wrecks are covered with red snapper and you should have no problem catching your limit of 2, if you can get through the triggerfish to the bottom. The good news is that gag grouper also opens June 1st and the state snapper season (inside 9 miles) is open all month. There have been lots of dolphin caught fairly close to shore and can liven up a slow trip. They can be chummed up around the boat over a wreck and are lots of fun on light tackle. Be sure to check the ever-changing fishing regulations before you go so that the trip is an enjoyable one that doesn’t end in a ticket.
Have fun, be safe, and take a kid fishing. Those memories last a lifetime!
CAPT. DARYL SHUMATE
Liquid Native Charters
850-624-6968
Liquidnativecharters.com