By Joe Sheaffer
As the weather and water warm in southwest Florida continues, it is time for us anglers to transition our fishing schedules and presentations. Living in this area only 4 years, relatively makes me a rookie when it comes to fishing in this region. I really didn’t think much about how the seasons may affect fishing down here in Florida, but I definitely have started to figure it out. I have had success using a slow steady presentation with most lures and I’m confident with that technique. A slower presentation has been very productive with the inshore species and works very well throughout the year. Even though most of our species (snook, redfish and trout) frequent similar areas and structures during the year, I have found that they don’t all react the same every season.
The snook bite has been very good this summer and I have enjoyed catching them in many different environments. From the back of creeks, around islands in the sounds, around the passes and even on the beaches. There are many presentations, lures and techniques that will work, but there is one common key – Fast and Erratic. Be it a jig, jerk shad, plug or topwater, to name a few, when the water is warm you can’t move your lure fast enough sometimes. Swim it faster, jig it aggressively, a faster retrieve, all can produce some of the most heart pounding exciting strikes that you will ever see. Speed it up around points, potholes, sea walls, even blowouts along the beaches can be very productive this time of year. If catching snook is high on your list, give your lures and presentations a little more energy, the results may be a huge adrenaline rush! Keep casting and have a great time, Joe.
