Well, June came and went pretty fast with lots and lots of snook fishing. The Tarpon are starting to slow a bit and are not as stacked up as they have been in the pass, but with plenty of fish still available off the beach. The snook fishing has been phenomenal lately, with most days producing 15-45 fish. A lot of average size males have been caught (20-25″), and some real monsters up to about 39″. We are still looking for that magic 42″, and I have seen them around but have not convinced one to do battle just yet. Those huge female trophies should be done spawning soon and will be in a feeding frenzy towards the end of July and into August…look for some real Snook-a-saurus action late in the summer and into Fall.
The ticket lately has surely been live whitebait (pilchards), and they have been tough to come by at times. If you put the time in and get out on the flat very early in the morning you should have a plenty for a good day of fishing. I have been sitting on points that I know are holding fish during fast moving tides. Look for areas that produce current eddies or have a little swirling or area of slow tide, you dont want to be fishing right in the middle of a ripping tide. Snook are ambush predators, and are very smart about spending unnecessary energy when targeting baits. These points will usually produce average size males to begin with. After a few fish, I will take just a couple of baits (usually 3 is my number) and just squeeze them a little bit and toss them just up current of where i think the larger fish are holding. Make sure you baits are presented at the time and you may well come up with a nice 30″+ fish. You would be surprised how many times we will hook up 2 or even 3 large fish within 45 seconds of throwing out those live chummers.
Keep the tackle in the mid range this month, you dont want to use ultra light tackle and tire these large spawning females out, or exhaust a female that has just completed her spawn cycle that is skinny and low on energy. I like to use 20lb powerpro on a 7ft med. or medium light action Star Nickelite rod. Use a 30lb fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 or 2/0 Owner SSW hook. Make sure you dont “let em eat” if you arent using circle hooks. I generally tell people that when they feel the “thump” or the bobber starts to zing off, dont waste any time, just set the hook immediately. 99% of the time you will hook these fish right in the corner of the mouth or in the upper jaw.
Redfish have been hit or miss while targeting snook on the falling and low tides. We have had about a dozen or so in the last couple weeks, just because the snook fishing has been so spectacular. The reds have mostly been rats, with 2 overslot fish thrown in. The inshore action couldnt get much better, get out and catch a few if you can find some time. Its also a great time to take kids fishing. Nothing makes them happier than being able to catch snook almost non stop. These smaller fish are very acrobatic and offer a lot of fun for the whole family.
Take care, and be sure to give these fish a quick release. If you want to take photos, have the camera ready before you land the fish and make your goal 25 seconds or less out of the water. Unhook the fish in the water before bringing them aboard for a photo, and quickly release them making sure to give them a little time to catch their breath if they need it.
Be safe, and most of all have fun!
Capt. Tom
