Florida Fishing Charters

Silver Gems Break Summer Heat

Pre-dawn scouting will reveal excellent numbers of giant tarpon rolling both in front and behind area barrier islands, the bridges spanning the intercoastal and Tampa Bay, channels, dredges, troughs, hard bottom, and around bait pods.

Though summer tarpon do not reveal themselves as often as the fish of the beaches, if you are in the right place at dawn, they often show in the early morning light. This is the perfect opportunity for those armed with jigs and slow sinking plugs. The Cotee Button Eye Minnow and MirrOlures in the 52, 65, and 72 series get the nod.

Stealth is the key for success on these backwater fish. If there are other boats in the area and you are not properly set up for this type of fishing, move to another location. Trolling motors are a small cost compared to all you have invested. It is best to drift in the theater of probability and use electric trolling motors to make the final approach. Casting the hardware in front and slightly beyond the fish is the proper presentation.

The major moon phases will see giant tarpon moving to the major bridges to feast on the smorgasbord of baits moving through the pilings and trapped in the eddies. Late afternoons into the early evenings have always produced best for me. To really beat the heat, night offers some of the most spectacular fishing of all.

Tarpon tend to circuit around a bit at this time of year. An area that held fish for several days can be null and void the very next day. It pays to check the areas in close proximity to where you have been fishing, Keep in mind that a school of shad or glass minnows may have traveled through your spot and the poons obliged to a king’s feast. They may have worked the bait for several miles and will have taken up residence somewhere else. Tarpon fishing is more of a hunt at this time of year. Be patient, confidant and keep looking.

Snook spawning in the passes will offer excellent catch and release action. The beaches and the adjacent flats to the passes will hold fish at high tides as well. Pinfish, grunts, sardines, shrimp and ¼ ounce shad tail jig will do the job. It’s best to play these fish quickly and return the fish to the water avoiding much handling. Spawning snook are the providers of our future snook populations.

Nuggets of silver that are much over-looked are the pompano and permit that frequent the same areas as the snook. This is a finesse fishery that requires a magic touch with a light jig. Fiddler crabs and sand fleas (both acquired best at low tide) fished on a small jig head are too highly productive.

The silver is plenty…..Lets go fishing!!!!