Comfort is an overriding factor for all species during the summer, and water temperature is a major factor because of its governing effects on a fish’s bodily functions.

Have you ever questioned why fish congregate in one particular area one day and completely disappear the next? There are many different reasons why fish relocate, but the most overlooked is water temperature. Whereas fish are cold-blooded, weather and water temperature is a controlling factor in where you find them. Every species has a temperature range they tolerate and within that range there is a preferred range or comfort zone where they are most comfortable.

Offshore action has been absolutely awesome this week—actually the last six weeks have been phenomenal with American red snapper season now open. On Show Me The Fish Charters running out in my custom 31 ft Morgan Sportfish my anglers are catching lots of red, mangrove, and yellowtail snapper  along with Firetruck red grouper up to 25 lbs, mahi mahi, porgys, big sharks, barracudas, catch and release gag grouper and amberjacks.

Perfect week in paradise
On Show Me The Fish Charters our parties have been getting red with great catches of American red snapper and red grouper along with mangrove and yellowtail snappers, amberjack, huge porgys, kingfish, barracudas, and big sharks. Best action is offshore of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key in about 140 ft. Live and cut bait both working great with smaller pinfish the best, that's like feeding candy to a baby. We have had a fantastic week of weather and it looks like more to come. Now is the time to come on out and get ya some. Fish and be happy.

Let’s Start Off with the Bait Situation: Especially greenbacks—For some reason, which we’ve not figured out yet, greenbacks are eluding us around the bay. One day they’re on the flats, the next day they are gone. Also this year we’ve not seen the small fry yet; unless it’s going to be a late spawn.
 
The only consistent location seems to be the Skyway Bridge, and particularly the south fishing pier. However, the water is exceptionally clear and, unless you’re throwing a 12-foot net, the bait tends to run out from under smaller nets. You also have to contend with those strong tide days where it takes a 20-pounder to get down to the bait without collapsing with the current. Needless to say, it’s these days when shrimp and artificial lures look really good.

Aboard the Reelin’ & Chillin’ anglers caught trout, redfish, flounder, and black drum on in-shore trips. Fishing grass flats provided plenty of trout action using live shrimp or white bait. Spending a few minutes at each location until we found the fish worked best. Redfish and black drum were found around structure, mostly docks and oysters near mangroves. No more than 20 minutes would be spent at a location without a bite. Secret was to keep moving until we located the fish.

Pastor Greg Dumis of the Crossings Church in Brandon with his beautiful catch of nice American Red Snappers. The party was fishing in about 125 ft offshore of Anna Maria Island on 6-2-11 with Capt.Larry McGuire Show Me The Fish Charters.

On Show Me The Fish Charters, operating out of the Bradenton Beach Marina, we are experiencing intense offshore action. Catching lots of amberjacks, mangrove and yellowtail snappers, blacktip and bull sharks on the wrecks about 30 to 40 miles offshore. On Wwiss cheese-hard bottom catching red grouper,triggerfish, porgys, and more snappers. But the best big red grouper catches are South off Venice in about 140 ft. We have been avoiding the larger ledges because they are just covered up with gag grouper and American red snapper. On June 1st the red snapper season opens up and my very best friends are waiting down there for us to catch. Closer in around 40 to 70 ft there are still some kingfish around and smaller grouper and snapper. Usually all summer long we hook into a few  really big smoker kings and cobia.

Summertime Heat - Means Careful Planning.
Summer means hot and humid days and June is no exception. Expect good fishing this month, but good summertime fishing has a price… it’s called heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Terrific action for the past month has been seen aboard my Action Craft flats skiff, the Flat Back II. With migrating Snook heading out of the back country areas on to the flats and heading toward the beaches, anglers are hitting inshore grand slams with greater regularity. Numbers of Snook are down due to the past two severe winters, but these fish are in the spawn mode and are trying to make up for their losses.

Water temps are in the mid to high 70s and the fish are turning on. Plenty of hand-picked shrimp to buy and white bait to net. Spanish and King Mackerel are in the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Spanish Macs near the passes. Nice size Trout are on the grass flats as well as Spanish Macs and Bluefish. Reds are still a little shy; finding one every now and then near structure. Snook are out of their winter quarters and in the bays—best to chum white bait for them.