The dog days of August continue to howl, unfortunately. Super heated water temperatures and searing heat haven’t made for ideal inshore fishing conditions again this week. If you’re determined to get on the water, cooler early morning outings are recommended. You’ll be less likely to encounter thunderstorms and showers by going early, too.
The trout bite has been inconsistent. A few quality fish are being fooled by topwater surface plugs, soft-plastic shrimp and jerk baits. Many of the others are smaller fish, with the usual by-catch mixed in—catfish, ladyfish and aggressive pinfish. The feeding windows have been short, so if you’re in the zone take advantage of the opportunity. Colors haven’t mattered as much as solunar influences. Fish the peak periods based on the moon phase and you stand the best chance.
Redfish have also been spotty, lately. Weedless spoons are the best search bait to zero in on the whereabouts. Covered oyster bars, creek mouths and rock grass patches are the prime places to try on moving water.
There have been a few reports of schools of tarpon the last week or so. Watch for rolling fish or ones crashing bait schools. Larger swim and twitch baits cast ahead of the travel path will likely generate a response. There are still plenty of big sharks around, too, if you crave a tussle.
Black drum are another option. Those big bruisers aren’t table fare, but they will stretch a line. Quartered blue crabs soaked in deeper holes on slack tides are the ticket for the giant drum.
Rain and thunderstorms are predicted for the weekend forecast. Winds are expected to be on the lighter scale, clocking from south to east by Sunday. Coming off this week’s new moon, tides will be high before dawn, falling more than three feet by late mornings. The tides will crest again by early evening.
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.