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Greg Crouch with a nice pass snook. Snook
catches will increase as we move into the month.
Surprisingly
giant tarpon are still holding on strong. While overall and for reasons
by several variables, tarpon have been in an off cycle state wide this
past spring. Post-season numbers of fish are generally not of the likes
we see in spring. However, several areas are holding good numbers of
feeding fish at this time.
The fish are being found in the usual and classic spots of late
summer. All summer there have been just a few days they are
“off” for no known reason other than tarpon are tarpon. To
serve as recent report in my past 3 consecutive trips they have
been all been successful. The fish are showing and feeding with a
vengeance around schools of menhaden and glass minnows. Twice in
recent weeks the fish have been hitting the bait so hard, they
have showered it over the gunwales of my boat.
Charlie stands tall with a typical sized
tarpon of post season.
Bob Greenwald with a nice beach snook.
Snook will now make the trek back to the mainland shoreline.
Typically at this time of year we see a slow
down in the frequency and consistency we can find good numbers of
tarpon. Not the case so far this summer and no complaints from me.
The major bridges spanning Tampa Bay are holding fish as well at
night and at day-particularly around the major moon phases.
Not to be left out-the juvenile resident
tarpon were showing well on a recent scouting trip. We target them
as part of our flats trips pursuing red, trout, snook and
mackerel.
Snook opened for harvest on September 1st.
It will be a few more weeks before they take earnest on the flats.
Fish are scattered throughout their range at this time. Best bets
remain on the beaches and adjacent passes. Their movements back to
the shoreline are triggered by the light to dark ratio that
becomes more evident as the month progresses and likely peak for
the fall in October and November. As always-with good timing and
persistent fishing-they will provide decent action right now at
low light and changing tides.
Our average rainfall for August (not to
mention the year) is almost twice the norm. This has thrown a
curveball to anglers seeking the schools of redfish that visit the
shoreline at this time of year-massed prior to spawning. Normally
once found-the reds are easily patterned for several days. The
daily influx of freshwater likely is providing the fish a ticket
to ride short distances from where they were before. Fishing is
not always easy and some scouting may be in order to relocate the
herds. There have been some nice schools around and most are
oversized. The last one third of the flood tide around the barrier
islands, creek mouths and cul-de-sacs are prime areas to
look-particularly with the presence of mullet.
Philip Bonfanti (aft) sight casted this
silver king on a light spinning rod and live bait.
Near shore-the mackerel and bonita are
in the bait on the 20 foot contour line. Mango snapper are being taking
on the reefs and rocky outcroppings from land based structure to well
offshore. While difficult to pinpoint when and where, this time of year
we do get some visits from some offshore reds on the nearshore rock
piles, hard bottom and occasionally in the passes. Unlike their flats
counterparts, these reds can exceed 30 lbs. While they are CPR (catch,
picture and release only) they aresporting and make for some great pictures.
Summer doldrums are near behind us as
were are now just weeks away from peak fall conditions.
Screaming Drags and
Tired Arms!
Robert McCue
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