South County Inshore & Freshwater: Aug. 2020

Chris and Matias from New York with a beast African pompano.

By Capt. Patrick Smith Contributing Writer

Summer is flying by and while the fishing has been amazing, I am ready for a cool front. Since that will still be a couple months away, midday naps in the air conditioning will have to do for now. Before and after my naps, I will be chasing fish in the fresh and saltwater. Cruising tarpon and snook will be my main targets. I search for them along the beach and offer a live pilchard or white bucktail. If you are feeling strong, the nearshore wrecks should be loaded with goliath grouper and big jacks that are more than happy to give your back a workout.

Alex got the monster he was looking for.

On the freshwater side peacock bass should be eating great at first light and dusk. This is a great time to use a suspending twitch bait that will hang on the shadow line of a dock long enough to make them angry and entice a strike. If the water is over 90 degrees, a deep diving crankbait fished in the middle of the lake can be the ticket to the bite. Remember to drink plenty of water and there is no need to fish in the middle of the day, the fish are cooking too.

Amanda from Abaco didn’t let the fact she was going to have a baby keep her from having an epic day fly fishing.

Capt. Patrick Smith

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