This time of year brings us the late afternoon showers and unpredictable weather. All the rain kept the water temperature a tad bit cooler throughout the summer. Temperatures stayed in the mid-80s compared to the 90s, which has helped the nearshore/offshore bite tremendously!
Lately, we have been targeting grouper, cobia, goliaths and other big fish that tend to leave your arms and back sore the next day. At first light, we have been using big pinfish rigged on a knocker rig. Use a 2 to 3-ounce egg weight and a 5/0 to 6/0 circle hook paired up with 80 to 100-pound leader. Give yourself about a 5-foot span for your leader, so your weight has plenty of room to slide. We have also been freelining live bait at the surface. Anything and everything seems to eat a lone fish just hanging out by itself. As the day goes on, switch up to big pieces of cut bait. We have noticed that the grouper tend to want the easier target as the water heats up.
If you’re trying to target cobia, make sure you have a couple of chum bags with you to bring these fish in closer to the boat. Depending on how the current is moving, you can use anything from your grouper rig to the smallest egg weight you can to help keep it in the middle of the water column. If you choose to go with the small egg weight, tie it on about 3 to 4-feet above the hook so the bait is free.
Before reef fishing, make sure you touch up on all of the regulations and fish species that could possibly be caught. You don’t want a good day of fishing to be ruined with a visit from FWC. Tight lines everyone!
Capt. Bobby Carroll
Florida Fishing Experience
727-271-3257