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Summer Fishing Forecast
Its summer-time and you’re imagining yourself in the beautiful Florida
Keys. Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Fresh mahi on
the grill, warm breezes and beautiful sunsets should quickly consume
your imagination. Let’s also not forget about the eruption of a spectacular
fishing season. Inshore or off, Atlantic or Gulf side including all
through the Everglades, there’s plenty of exciting action for every type
of enthusiast to take advantage of.
Generally speaking, the transition from spring species and tactics to
summer is subtle. Both the air and water temperatures gradually warm
up as the mischievous fronts slowly fade away. The already excellent
fishing in the Keys will follow suit and continue to burn line off your
reels. Local and visiting anglers should have plenty of fish stories to
brag about and will catch plenty of trophies that will leave lifelong
memories.
In all honesty, and I’m sure most seafarers will agree with me, since
January I personally feel the consistent wind has been annoying.
We’ve had some very sporty days on the water with wind gusts averaging
30 mph. The silver lining to the dark cloud though was that not
only the fishing, but the catching throughout the spring was spectacular!
If the recent season is any indication of what we’re in store for,then resident and visiting anglers are in for one hell of a summer! Plus,
there’s an unspoken feeling down here that only the locals recognize.
Trust me when I tell you we’re all very excited to finally be fishing in
friendlier sea conditions and lighter winds.
One of the more difficult decisions anglers have to make throughout
the Keys this time of year is exactly which direction to head. Like most
fishermen, I enjoy all types of fishing. When you’re blessed with so
many exciting options, the choice of which species to target on any
given day can be quite frustrating. The most difficult decision is debating
between heading offshore for tasty dolphin or staying close to
home and targeting hard fighting tarpon. Which ever you choose, both
species are commendable adversaries and will fulfill plenty of exhilarating
thrills for all.
As the summer heat continues, the offshore waters will definitely be
fired up with a variety of activity. Dolphin, the most colorful of all
acrobatic species, will be migrating close to our coast. With rising
water temperatures schools of hungry fish will be found in the pristine
Gulf Stream currents traveling northward. Expect the largest, bruiser
size bulls and cows to be found in early June. These slammers are normally
traveling in small packs and groups of only two or three fish. A
great indicator to their location is finding bird activity. While the naked
eye will do the trick, a quality pair of binoculars is an essential tool in
locating frigate and tuna birds. When you find these screeching feathered
friends dipping and diving in a specific area, dolphin are close!
Weed lines or floating objects can be very productive as well. This
structure provides shelter to bait fish and predators will always stay
close to a consistent food source.
Wahoo, though not here in big numbers in the dead heat of the summer,
will occasionally be found hanging well below the shadows. Try
trolling a ballyhoo rigged on wire or a metal jig dropped deep into the
darkness.
Most offshore guys who are specifically chasing dolphin troll lures or
rigged ballyhoo with the use of 30 lb. and 50 lb. class outfits. Though
this is an effective technique and the ideal tackle for trolling applications,
keep those spinning outfits close by. You’ll appreciate each and
every fish much more. A good set up for catching schoolie size fish up
to 15 lbs. is a Penn 6500 spooled with either 12 lb. or 15 lb. string. Tie
a bimini twist and connect 12 ft. of 50 lb. leader material. Finish this
rig off with a sharpened 7766 6/0 Mustad hook. For larger fish step up
to a Penn 7500 with 20 lb. line, bimini to 60 lb. leader and a 7/0 Mustad
7766. If you’re competing in a tournament, a 7 ft. medium/heavy
action rod accented with a Penn 8500 topped off with 30 lb. PowerPro
will give you a fighting chance against even the largest dolphin. Finish
things off with an 80 lb. fluorocarbon leader and a sharpened 9/0.
When it comes to baits, chunks of fresh bonito are hard to beat. For the
larger dolphin, try a whole flying fish. If you encounter any finicky
slammers, toss in a small blue runner or pinfish. The results should be
immediate.
Be well prepared when chasing dolphin and keep a lighter rod ready
for tripletail. It’s not uncommon to run into these funny looking fish
when investigating floating debris. They provide some of the best table
fare you could wish for and offer a bit of variety. A small chunk bait or
peeled shrimp on a 2/0 hook works great.
On the Atlantic side, the deeper wrecks and humps paralleling the
entire Keys chain will provide consistent action with blackfin tuna,
skipjack and little tunny (bonito). Live chumming with small pilchards
is the absolute best way to get these fish fired up. Troll black/red feathers,
small jet heads and cedar plugs to locate pockets of activity and
then let the live baits take over.
Farther offshore, a handful of migrating yellowfin tuna will sporadically
be found. Yellowfin tuna are brutes and if you are not properly prepared,
you won’t even stand a chance! Hot on the yellowfin’s tails, billfish
will also be at their peak. While you’re out there chasing dolphin,
pull a couple large softhead or chugger style lures. My favorite is a
blue and white Hawaiian eye w/ a horse ballyhoo rigged on 300 lb.
mono. Adding a couple larger lures into your spread will improve raising
more mahi and provide you a chance of hooking that hungry blue
or white. Remember to always run your bigger lures close to the boat
on stout 50 to 80 lb. class gear.
Speaking of billfish, it’s no surprise that even down here in the Keys,
swordfishing is increasing in popularity. With sea conditions at a comfortable
range due to diminished winds, you can count on these broad
bill gladiators being targeted on a nightly basis. Set up just before dark
in 800 ft. to 1200 ft. on the edge of the Gulf Stream. A set of Penn
International 50’s or 70’s are ideal weapons. Several baits should be
fished staggered in different levels of the water column. Due to the
swordfish’s sharp bill, 200 lb. to 400 lb. leader material is a must. A
12/0 southern style tuna hook bridled to a live blue runner or rigged
squid will outfit you nicely. Don’t forget your glow stick, and hang on
tight!
A bit closer to home, structure oriented fishing will increase as the season
progresses. Large yellowtails can be sand-balled up and down the
reef throughout the entire Key’s system. Larger muttons may spice up
the catch as they are finishing off their annual spawn and looking for
one more solid bite. To top things off, some black grouper will be
mixed in. Even though there are a few ‘secret spots’ just about all large
coral heads and ‘good’ pieces of bottom in 30 ft. to 90 ft. will hold
most of your snapper and grouper species.
As the steamy summer progresses, grey snapper (mangrove) will make
a solid showing. These fish will invade the reefs throughout the Keys.
Fishing under the cover of darkness will produce the deadliest results
and you’ll be more comfortable avoiding the scorching sun. Periods as
far away from the full moon as possible will fill coolers with solid
catches of fish in the 1 lb. to 8 lb. Range. Anchor in 50 ft. to 60 ft. of
water. Make sure to have plenty of live bait and burn plenty of chum.
Monster cubera snapper, a unique species to target, will come to life in
July and August. Contrary to the mangrove bite, this fishing will peak
during the full moon phases. Deep wrecks in the 100 ft. to 300 ft. range
offer comfortable surroundings for these scaly freight trains that enjoy
snacking on whole lobster! If you’re serious about landing one of these
brutes, you better get out the fighting belt and at least a 50 lb. class
stand up outfit. Otherwise, stay home and eat the lobster!
Shallow water wrecks will also hold a variety of species. At any given
time, a pack of hungry permit or a bomber cobia may be lurking in the
vicinity of the cursed ship. Don’t be surprised to find AJ’s along with
and all your common bottom dwellers hiding between the deteriorating
planks.
Approaching late July and well into August, higher up in the water
column smoker size kingfish will be a possibility. Runners or speedos
aggravate these toothy missiles and some of the kings could tip the
scales in the low 50’s. Stinger rigs and long leaders are the way to go
here.
For the flats enthusiast, the lower Keys should be swarming with permit
and bonefish. Look for both species during early morning or late
afternoon tides. During the blistering midday heat they’ll be looking
for refuge from the penetrating rays. For consistent shots at bones,
spend most of your time ocean-side. These ghostly apparitions will be
spotted rummaging around the flats from Key West to Key Largo.
These light tackle monsters are best fished with 8 lb. to 10 lb tackle.
Shrimp and small quarter size crabs will quickly get gobbled up or try
a 1/8 ounce jig for a new twist. If you want to test your fly skills,
Clouser’s and Crazy Charlie’s will both be productive.
Snook action rolls hard right thru the summer as the sideliner’s finish
off there annual spawning cycle. Not a single snook can be kept
from May through August, so only catch & release fishing may be
practiced. Using your electric motor to maneuver, skipping a large
D.O.A. shrimp under residential docks is a great way to pinpoint concentrations
of fish. In addition, look for these masters of ambush to
be hiding along mangrove shorelines and well-lit docks. It’s hard to
beat a live pinfish, shrimp or mullet, though all the usual baits will
keep you connected. For anglers choosing to fish artificials, top
water lures, soft bodied jigs and fly patterns will score.
Of course a Florida Keys fishing forecast wouldn’t be a Florida Keys
fishing forecast if we didn’t talk about tarpon. Mixed-size fish from
30 lbs. to 130 lbs. will infiltrate bait-rich waters from the Tortuga’s
to Key Largo. Ocean side flats are great places to start your search as
are most bridges and Gulf banks. Furthermore, tarpon will meander
into the ‘Glades and inhabit channels and moats around mangrove
islands. Keep your eyes peeled for rolling or porpoising activity in
the areas mentioned. These huge fish can often be seen from a long
distance off. Remember; always bow to the silver king!
Mullet will induce the most savage strikes but pinfish and ladyfish
will fill the void. In addition, hungry tarpon looking for an easy meal
won’t hesitate munching down a properly presented crab or extra
large shrimp.
If all that inshore action isn’t enough, redfishing will hit the highest
point with the continuing warming conditions. Look for tailing fish
up in the ‘Glades on the grassy flats and exposed root banks. Early morning will yield the best results.
The calm water is ideal for spotting tailing reds as they forage for breakfast in the grassy bottom. Try
gold spoons and Hook Up jigs to entice these active drum. If you can’t seem to get them going, a
quarter size crab or lively shrimp will definitely do the trick.
Whatever you decide to fish for, bring along plenty of sun protection, drink plenty of fluids and I
guarantee the action won’t disappoint you. There is one other thing I would like to mention. If you
don’t own a pair of polarized sunglasses, go buy them now! | 
