[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he heart of the Florida summer will beat strong and steady through August. Near coastal anglers will find themselves deep in the summer season’s rhythmic cycle of conditions that will be shaped by light winds and calm seas. A “user-friendly playing field” will once again be the operative phrase for offshore anglers. as seas will be invitingly, calm and gentle. allowing for diverse fishing strategy options. While offshore weather conditions will be generally favorable, there will be an increased potential for tropical weather development towards the latter half of this month that could affect the fishing conditions of Martin County’s near coastal waters. It’s important for captains and crews to pay close attention to the tropics during this month, as the development of weather systems, in this zone begins to ramp up.
Furthermore, offshore anglers must continue to be “daytime weather vigilant” as afternoon thunderstorms will be spawned in the intense daytime heating (and convergence of sea breeze boundries) of the August sun. A summertime rule-of-thumb is to start one’s fishing day early and get the day’s fishing in before afternoon storm formation begins.
Reef dwelling fish of all varieties will be the sought after saltwater targets this August, with many species of bottom loving, snapper and grouper, being at the top of the scaly collection list. Other pelagic species and “surface fish” like king mackerel and mahi will be attracted to these same reefs and will be caught by baits presented in the upper quadrant of the water column. Cobia will continue to be present on these reefs too and can be caught by baits presented throughout the water column, from top to bottom. Live baiting greenies (thread-fin herring), sardines, and pilchards will yield the most success in landing a large list of these exotics. Bottom fishing meat hunters with a taste for snapper will be anticipating a gathering of vermilion snapper this month as schools of “better” BeeLiners will begin to move from deep water into the shallower reef depths of 70-to-140 feet. This inshore movement of vermilions will be the final stage of their yearly spawning process that will continue into next month. Reef structures (especially artificial reefs) located in 90-to-40 feet will typically be the best spots to find these tasty, schools of BeeLiners. Cut baits of all flavors, especially squid- presented on multi hook “chicken rigs’ with hooks of 3/0 to 5/0 in size, will be the most efficient way to snag these snapper.
Mutton snapper will also be a preferred target species and will be hunted along the southern reef line in depths of 70-to-90 feet of water. Frequently strong north current flow, this month, will allow the hunters of big muttons to stretch out terminal tackle consisting of long 50-to-100 feet mono leaders with assorted dead and live baits. Warm, north current velocities of .75- to-1.5 knots will be the ideal amount of “horizontal flow” for bait and tackle deployment during trophy mutton fishing.
August will continue to display the fishing legacy of the Florida summer, which will be undeniably hot, both in temperature and in the ability to catch an expansive variety of saltwater species, so for this month, always keep a wary eye on the weather and a tasty bait in the water.
