[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ell summer is here and the weather is getting hot. The one thing on everyoneís mind RED SNAPPER! If you haven’t heard, we will be able to fish the elusive creature. The open season for them is as follows, July 11-13, July 18-20 and July 25-26. If you need more info please go to www.myfwc.com to get all the regulations. Fisherman you had better get your kitchen pass for those days. If you are thinking about chartering a boat to get them, you had better have your reservations in place now. I have spoken to several charter boat businesses and they are filling up or are completely booked. I donít need to talk anymore about this so letís move on.
Kingfish will be moving in closer to shore and that will help the person with the smaller boat. Remember to have plenty of stinger rigs on board as a nice size king will twist that wire and it will not be able to be used again. Make sure your reels have plenty of line on them if not replace it because you never can tell when that 40-pound king is going to take the bait.
The dolphin bite has been hit or miss. I have been finding fish in the 80- to100-foot range. I have gone out and caught none. I have had a few big ones come up to the boat when I get into a school of them. I always have a pitch bait ready to throw just in case that big one should come along.
Sailfish are still in the area and should be following active bait pods. This will put a smile on your face when you get that hookup. This past month I have gotten several sails and have seen plenty come to the back of the boat.
The bottom fishing bite has been fantastic and I look for that to continue through the summer months. Triggerfish, grouper and mangrove snapper are being caught.
The big jacks are aggressively attacking a top water plugs; this is some hard fast fun when nothing else is around.
Moving closer to the beaches the tarpon bite will continue to get better and better as the bait on the beach stays around. It has been hit or miss at times. When you do find them, be patient as they will bite your bait and then its game on not “fish on.” Red snapper, red snapper, red snapper! I can just taste it!
In closing I want to wish you all a very safe and happy Fourth of July.