It’s no secret that we are in for hot times this month, so here are some ideas to work around the heat. Try early morning trips and then come in for lunch to beat the heat. If the evenings are safe from thunderstorms you may get in some time then; just play it safe! How about visiting our Nature Coast for some scalloping? The season opens in July and you get to swim and cool off for these tasty treats. Later this month we have the Sport Lobster season in the Keys. It’s short and crazy, but can be fun. For our local fishing we have Red Snapper offshore but the season is short, so get out and take advantage of this hot fishery. Grouper, Amberjacks, and other Snapper are out there too. Inside we have some Redfish and Trout up and down the coast and in season for harvest. Snook are closed to keep, but fun for catch-and-release fishing. Mangrove Snapper are gathering up around Gulf coast passes and you can catch a mess nearby, along with a few Spanish Mackerel. Just some ideas you can check out. Weather is important now as it is hurricane season and storms play a big role in our safety and enjoyment. Watch the weather and stay safe while enjoying our watersports. Have a plan to safely store your rig and your family in big blows too. Early mornings offer the coolest time to chase fish now. If you have a long run leave before daybreak just play it safe. Bright moons just after full offer enough light to get a jump on the heat.

Baitfish can be caught in the lights before sun-up. Flats fish are not going to remain on the ninety degree shallows after noon unless rains cool off the waters. Shade from trees and bridges helps now also; use any cool break you can find. The Nature Coast is just north of the Tampa Bay region and offers the unique opportunity to dive up a mess of scallops. Restrictions are tight and law enforcement is working to protect our resources. Study the rules and obey ‘em. They have some serious rocks along this part of Florida and a local guide can be much cheaper than a new lower unit and fiberglass work on your shiny hull! The area offers many fishing habitats we lack down here. Take advantage of this special area and have fun cooling off catching dinner. Crawfish or Florida Lobster have a brief but productive season later this month.

It is crowded and crazy but there should be plenty of bugs if you can safely get to ‘em. The waters down there are beautiful and Dolphin fish are abundant offshore if the crowds are too much like Boca Grande Pass in season for your taste. Again law enforcement is working hard to protect the undersized bugs and protect us from each other. Red Snapper are briefly in season and everyone says they are more abundant than ever! Let your legislators know how we feel about the over-protection of snapper and grouper based on at best questionable “science data.” We want to protect our fishery but what about our local economy and the fishing industry? Why wait to let red tide kill everything? Again, everyone says Snapper are ready, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to eat fresh Snapper and Grouper. Your best bet here is an experienced local charter boat; while it seems expensive it is much less than an offshore rig costs! Go early to beat the storms. Redfish and Trout are scattered around and ready to bless our tables. The pressure is as hot as the weather down here with tournaments every weekend to keep fish scared. We do have some fish, but the stocking up in Tampa Bay seems to have helped them because I keep hearing about the great Redfish action up there. We do have some good action when we can get some quiet space to fish. Those noisy corks are best bets for action anywhere you fish. Make ‘em talk to the fish and rattle ‘em in. Soft plastics work great if you can not get live baits. Work the deeper eddies and current seams for best results. Snook are gathering around Gulf coast passes and they are hungry.

The small minnows are moving in and Snook get full fast some days. Fly fishing is great here now. Don’t stay and beat up spawning schools but enjoy some hot action. If Flipper shows up just move on; smart animals don’t leave a free lunch of Snook! We had to leave fish several days recently but landed fish up to twenty seven pounds on fourteen pound FireLine and live minnows. I use only circle hooks to lip hook fish. Have fun but respect the fish. Last, but not least, we have some hungry Snapper and Mackerel around the passes. Try a chum bag during slower current flows and drift the faster periods. We use live minnows for both, but Snappers love live shrimp too. Long shank hooks prevent some cut offs by the sharp toothed Macks. Fluorocarbon helps get more bites but you get cut off frequently. Carry ice to keep drinks and fish cool, also the fish fresh. This is a great way to catch fish on those slow tides. Let’s go fishin’ soon. Capt. Van Hubbard Past President of Florida Guides Association and Winner of 1999 Mote Marine Award info@captvan.com www.captvan.com