Capt. Bart Marx
Hello fellow anglers, things in Florida are open for business and it is good. Spending some time on the waters can be a little warm this time of year. The fishing can be hot too. The mangrove snapper should be schooled up on the artificial reefs and hard bottom ledges. If you have never chummed for snapper this could be your chance. Anchor just on the edge of the reef and start your chum and draw them to you, this method works well. When things go as planned you can see the snapper on the surface eating the chum. Oh, this is when you would work on your quiet skills, don’t drop anything on the deck or slam any bait tank lids etc. So, when you have the snapper up to the surface you can just use a hook and a small chunk or silverside, or a small sardine. Be sure of what waters you are in as they have different size and bag limits, State or Federal. As you are doing this, if you are out in Federal waters, you may also encounter some yellowtail snapper too, doing this same technique. Use the FWC Fish Rules app for gray/mangrove snapper; State waters 9 miles from the coast bag limit 5 with a 10” length limit, Federal waters beyond 9 miles bag limit 10 with a minimum length of 12”. Yellowtail bag limit 10 and 12” with a 10 aggregate.
The snook should be thinking about going back to their normal homes soon. Spiny lobster season opens this month. There are a few in SWFL waters if you dive and know where there are no goliath in the area. I like to go to the east coast for lobster, from Ft. Lauderdale south to Key Largo. I usually SCUBA dive for them with friends. This could be the time of year to get a hogfish in SWFL. You need to use crustaceans for bait; shrimp, or small crabs in waters from 40 to 80 feet. On my charters I only fish State waters I have a 25’ Parker with a 225 Yamaha 4 stroke that works very well for that. On my inshore trips I have an old school 22’2 Aquasport center console with a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke. So, if you would like to come along and learn some of these techniques on one of my boats or I can come along on yours for a training session to shorten your learning curve give Capt. Bart Marx a call or you could e-mail me (a phone call will get a quicker response). And always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{