Coastal game fish have settled into the hot water/summer patterns. For temperature-sensitive trout, that typically means early or late windows when the water is the coolest, or for very short spurts when the tidal flows and lunar effects are strongest. For the upcoming weekend, with the low tides right around dawn and strong early afternoon peaks, a topwater lure would be a great choice early, followed by a shrimp jig or tout worked deeper later in the day.
Water clarity has improved considerably, but with all the boat traffic lately, floating grass can be a problem. Plugs with treble hooks are easily fouled. Replacing those with in-line single hooks can help, or switch to weedless offerings.
Redfish don’t mind hot water like their spotted cousins. Look for them along flooded shorelines, tidal creeks and submerged oyster bars. Pink Aqua Dream spoons continue to work well, although gold or silver are effective alternatives. If you catch one, fan cast the adjacent spots as odds are good that one redfish is not alone. And if you catch one with a streamer tag, you’d better be registered for the CCA STAR tournament or you’ll miss out on great prizes. Visit www.ccaflstar.com for more details.
Summer time is also mixed bag time. On any cast, it’s possible to catch a different species. Jack crevalle, bluefish, ladyfish, black sea bass, flounder, catfish and Spanish mackerel are all possibilities. If your trout reel is suddenly emptied in the blink of an eye, it could have been a big cobia, shark or tarpon. You just never know. The big boys can be targeted, if you gear up accordingly. Live bait, such as pinfish, mullet or pilchards are great enticements, along with swim baits, big bucktails and eel jigs.
The weather patterns have stabilized just in time for the weekend. Light winds are on tap, with only the slight chance of afternoon showers. The big concern is the heat and sun. Take precautions for both.
With the tidal predictions, the peak feeding windows will be the last couple hours before the tide crests in the early afternoons. Flows will be strong in advance of Tuesday night’s new moon.
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.