Our hurricane season started off slow, but was rocking as I put this together, and we have two more months to deal with. We do have good quality fishing, we just need to work around this wind and rain to enjoy it safely. Snook are in season, and it has not been crowded because of the weather. Redfish and Trout are also ready to cooperate. Inside fishing is available even if weather conditions are not perfect. Please do not be foolish and push your luck in dangerous conditions. Outside fishing will pick up and should excel with all the rough seas that allow fish to rest and regroup. Your hot GPS numbers should be cooking when ever you can get to em. Play it safe, but enjoy some great fishing.

Snook are our target species most of the time now but Redfish and Trout are mixed up together this time of the year. Baitfish have been abundant and I expect a banner Fall of fish catching. Minnows are growing up into first class baits. No one knows what we can expect from Mother Nature for weather; we just play the cards we are dealt. Safety is necessary and a top priority. We can enjoy some of the best catching action even if it is not chamber of commerce conditions. I personally prefer minnows for bait, but lures catch plenty of fish. Just select a few and learn to fish them effectively. Soft plastics are easy but top water baits can be the most fun. Fish should be hungry, so move around and do not waste time if no one is home at your favorite spot. Snook are moving inland and Reds to the Gulf; food migrates too. Note bird activity because they eat the same foods as fish. We should enjoy awesome offshore fishing between the rough stormy weather.

Grouper and Snapper are ready to bend your gear and add treats to your table. Kings and Spanish Mackerel are due by the end of the month. Storms can alter their time table so get ready for Fall migrations as they could surprise us anytime. Since fuel prices are up utilize your local tackle shops for up to the minute info. Use the coconut telegraph to share info among friends. Work together just stay off your benefactor’s toes. Trolling and drifting allows you to locate scattered fish by covering more ground. Please remember the venting, de-hooker tools and circle hooks. Our conditions can be challenging, but the rewards are available; just play it safe. Let’s go fishin’ soon. Capt. Van Hubbard info@captvan.com

Fishing picked right back up after tropical storm Fay cleared up. We are catching big Red and Gag Grouper, Cobia, Mangrove Snappers, Triggerfish, Barracudas, and lots of Sharks. Best action is out past 90 ft. offshore of Anna Maria Island. Live and cut bait are both working. Now is the time to get out and go fishing while the weather is nice. Tight lines and good fishing Capt. Larry McGuire Show Me The Fish Charters 941-720-6475

Water temperatures are on the down slide, which means hot fish bites. This is one of the better months for fishing Cobia along the channel and range markers inside the bay. The best times are towards the end of either incoming or outgoing tides. The slack tides allow the Cobia to surface feed on the small baits around the structures. Live pinfish suspended several feet under a large cork works great, as this helps keep the bait in sight of the Cobia long enough to get a strike. Mangrove Snapper move into the artificial reefs and rock piles striking small greenbacks and live shrimp. Use a #1 jay hook or a 1/0 circle hook with a small lead just enough to get to the bottom. Trout action kicks in as the water temperature drops.

Try using top water plugs in the morning, and, as the day progresses, move to a medium runner plug or jigs. Snook have moved back inside the bay this month along the shores of Cockroach Bay, Bishop Harbor, and Joel’s Island. After a long hot summer they start to settle down and get back to their normal feeding pattern; early morning and late evenings and, of course, always at night. Live greenbacks are a must as long as the bait is in the bay. Shrimp works great at night free-lined under the lights and top water plugs early in the morning. Redfish schools will move in around the oyster beds with the incoming tide, and small blue crabs or medium greenbacks are bound to get a hit. I have found some of the new scented baits on the market work great for just leaving on the bottom, and, in some cases, it’s out fished live bait. Artificial reefs start producing some of the best Grouper catches this time of year. I prefer frozen Spanish sardines suspended several feet from the bottom, using a 5/0 circle hook, leaving the rod in the rod holder, and the Grouper will hook himself. Meanwhile, you’re fishing with a light tackle for Mangroves and Sea Bass. Capt. Sergio Atanes S & I Charters, Inc. www.reelfishy.com

The Reelin & Chillin was able to find several species with Redfish topping the list. Also, Mangrove Snapper were plentiful; Spotted Sea Trout were hanging in the grass flats. A fly fishing trip was almost scrapped due to wind, however we still made it happen. Enjoy a few fish tails aboard the Reelin & Chillin: Scott Blankenbicker with ten year-old daughter, Sara, and friend, Makaela, headed out for an afternoon charter. After hitting several spots we finally found some nice Redfish on a dock in North Sarasota Bay. Sara picked up her first Red ever at nineteen inches. Soon after, her friend, Makaela, hooked into a huge twenty-eight inch fish. Dad and I just sat back and had a ball watching two ten year-old lady anglers having a ball. Later we moved to a grass flats area hoping to get into some screaming action with Spanish Mackerel. No Mackerel; however Sara managed to catch another Red measuring twenty-two inches. Father & son team Randy and Justin Scheule requested a little spin and fly fishing. No problem when they booked, however on the day of the charter the wind forecast was between ten and twenty-five knots.

We headed out thinking fly fishing was a bust and decided to just go spinning. We hit a couple spots around some mangroves protected from the wind. The second spot—pay dirt. Both anglers caught Redfish until the six dozen select shrimp were gone. My guess is we caught and released at least a dozen Reds. We then headed for the grass flats, netting a couple hundred sardines on the way. Seeing terns hitting bait on the flats we put the power pole down and had non-stop action for the remainder of the trip. Trout, Snapper, and one Ladyfish were feeding on the bait with the terns. In the last twenty minutes Randy decided to try a fly. Casting adjacent to the wind, he had no problem getting the fly out. I chummed the water with live sardines as they casted. Long story short, several Trout and Mangrove Snapper were caught on the fly by both anglers. He was casting a floating fly line with a chartreuse Clouser fly.

Captain’s Tip—A little chumming never hurts I know it’s not what the purist fly or lure angler has in mind, however a little chumming can make a big difference in putting more fish on the line. It’s different when in your own town, and on your own boat with plenty of time; however when you only have four hours on a charter to put fish on the line, a little chumming goes a long way. On the above trip we knew fish were in the area because we were catching them with live bait. When the fly rod was brought out I would chum with five or six sardines on almost every cast. We could see the fish hitting the surface, and they didn’t hesitate hitting the fly. Some anglers use a plastic ball bat with the end of the bat cut out. I rigged up a plastic gin bottle with the bottom cut out and an old rake handle stuck in the neck end of the bottle. The gin bottle was used because the plastic is thicker than, like, a soda two-liter bottle. I used the rake handle because I wanted it a little longer than the standard plastic bat so I could get more distance. I put a half dozen, or so, sardines in the bottle—spin them around a few times to get them dizzy then fling them into the target area. Give it a try sometime; it works great for both fly and spin fishing.

Tight lines & good times, Capt. Terry Frankford Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc. 941-228-7802

Capt. Terry Frankford The Reelin & Chillin was able to find, several species with redfish topping the list. Also, mangrove snapper were plentiful, spotted sea trout were hanging in the grass flats. A fly fishing trip was almost scrapped do to wind, however we still made it happen. Enjoy a few fish tails aboard the Reelin & Chillin: Scott Blankenbicker with ten year old daughter Sara, and friend Makaela headed out for an afternoon charter. After hitting several spots we finally found some nice redfish on a dock in North Sarasota Bay.

Sara picked up her first red ever at nineteen inches. Soon after, her friend Makaela hooked into a huge twenty-eight inch fish. Dad and I just sat back and had a ball watching two ten year old lady anglers having a ball. Later we moved to a grass flats area hoping to get into some screaming action with spanish mackerel. No mackerel, however Sara managed to catch another red measuring in at twenty-two inches. Father & Son team Randy and Justin Scheule requested a little spin, and fly fishing. No problem when they booked, however on the day of the charter the wind forecast was between ten and twenty-five knots. We headed out thinking fly fishing was a bust and decided to just go spinning.

We hit a couple spots around some mangroves protected from the wind. The second spot - pay dirt. Both angler's caught redfish until the six dozen select shrimp were gone. My guess is we caught and released at least a dozen reds. We then headed for the grass flats netting a couple hundred sardines on the way. Seeing terns hitting bait on the flats we put the power pole down and had non-stop action for the remainder of the trip. Trout, snapper, and one ladyfish were feeding on the bait with the terns. In the last twenty minutes Randy decided to try a fly. Casting adjacent to the wind. he had no problem getting the fly out. I chummed the water with live sardines as they casted. Long story short several trout and mangrove snapper were caught on the fly by both anglers. He was casting a floating fly line with a chartreuse Clouser fly. Captain's Tip -A little chumming never hurts I know it's not what the purest fly or lure angler has in mind, however a little chumming can make a big difference in putting more fish on the line.

It's different when in your own town, and on your own boat with plenty of time, however when you only have four hours on a charter to put fish on the line, a little chumming goes a long way. On the above trip we knew fish were in the area because we were catching them with live bait. When the fly rod was brought out I would chum with five or six sardines on almost every cast. We could see the fish hitting the surface, and they didn't hesitate hitting the fly. Some anglers use a plastic ball bat with the end of the bat cut out. I rigged up a plastic gin bottle with the bottom cut out and an old rake handle stuck in the neck end of the bottle. The gin bottle was used because the plastic is thicker than like a soda two liter bottle. I used the rake handle because I wanted it a little longer than the standard plastic bat so I could get more distance. I put a half dozen or so sardines in the bottle - spin them around a few times to get them dizzy then fling them into the target area. Give it a try sometime, it works great for both fly and spin fishing. Tight Lines & Good Times, Capt. Terry Frankford Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc. 941-228-7802 terry.frankford@verizon.net www.charterfishingsarasota.com

CREEKS - The redfish in the creeks are on and off this past week. During the first part of the week they were doing good then slowed down the last couple of days and I think that was due partly because of that low pressure spinning around almost on top of us. It's now moving up the coast so the bite should get better and better again as the barometer should be rising again. The flounder in the creeks have been showing up more and more. They're not as large as the flounder will be later on in the year during our 'fall flounder run' but you can sure luck up on some 4 to 6 pounders during the summer if you concentrate on them enough. Spotted trout are still downtown and south of downtown Jacksonville as the salinity line just keep staying down that way this year. We actually need some rain about 100 to 125 miles south of here to flush the salt-line back to where it usually is. I know, we're having rain almost each and every day but when it rains here the fresh water gets flushed out too quickly to make a difference. Schools of hungry jacks blow up here and there so keep a top water lure tied on for some fun action when you see the water surface start to explode. Just drive right up to the splashing water and cast out and hang on.

JETTIES: The action at the jetties has picked up for some real rod-bending. Bull, (oversized) redfish, tarpon, bull sharks, black tip sharks, nurse sharks, larger jacks, a few cobia and even a few kingfish are being caught at the rocks and just outside. Believe it or not there are a few black drum still around. I don't ever recall black drum staying around here this late in the summer but we've caught some 4 to 12 pounders and friends of mine are saying they're still catching a few also. Whiting and yellow mouth trout are hit and miss right now but should be picking up better this time of the year. Some small sea bass with a few nice sized ones mixed in at the rocks and the mangrove snapper are looking better than last year's crop. I can't wait for sheepshead season. Come on October! How would you like to spend two hours chasing a king-sized shark like Skip and Steve did this day. Man, can that Shakespeare Ugly Stick take the punishment!

RIVER: Bull redfish, black drum, yellow mouth trout, whiting and small croakers are all hitting in the rivers now. We've even caught some yellow mouth large enough to eat a 5" croaker. Now that's nice. If you're lucky enough to find one of the "secret spots" some people are hitting the croakers are nice sized ones, especially for this time of the year. I've actually had people show me some 1 1/2 and 2 pound croakers at the ramps but they sure aren't going to tell you where they're getting them. I know down around the Buckman Bridge usually during July and August they're some real nice croakers but I really haven't found any over 1 1/2 pounds myself. Schools of jacks are up and down the river. Just look for splashing surface water and drive to them in a hurry. They're be back down and schooling bait up again and may show up 500' away from that spot. Spotted trout downtown and south of downtown to past the Buckman Bridge. Here's a couple of nice river-reds.

SURF: Kingfish in the surf? Yes. They're regularly catching kings right off the pier now. I've actually seen photos of three up to 40 pounds that was caught in the last few days. There was a nice tarpon hooked up at the pier yesterday also. Whiting and pompano are hitting Ok. I wouldn't say it's really hot for these two species but you can catch enough for dinner. Flounder and black drum are being caught in the surf along with a few redfish. Of course the sharks are out there too so be careful not to wade out, especially if you smell like bait.

OFFSHORE: My good friend Captain Chad Starling of Team Buck Rogers Fishing Charters tells me the hottest thing going right now is Kingfish. Slow trolling or drifting with live bait will work best. Several 40's and a couple 50's have been caught during tournaments this year. Several sailfish have been hooked over the past few weeks. Live bait or skirted ballyhoo work best. Please take the time to revive these fish; take your picture and get them back in the water as soon as possible. Amberjacks are running a close second. Live bait over artificial wrecks or butterfly jigs work great for amberjack and fish in the 40lb range have been pretty regular. Make sure you have heavy gear and you have the drag set right because they will test your equipment and your back! They love a big bait. Grunts and beeliners are probably best. Make sure the bait is really frisky though. They like a challenge. If the bait is half dead, they will swim by it all day without eating. If your bait makes a run for it, hold on! If you have back problems, they will either fix it or make it worse. Bottom fishing has been red hot for red snapper, vermillion snapper, mangrove snapper, and some grouper. Vermillions up to 3 lbs have been coming over the rails if you make it outside 25 miles.

Please everyone, let's keep the sandwich and snack wrappers, drink cans and fishing line out of our waterways. If we all take our trash back to the cans at the ramp we can sure improve the quality of our favorite past time and save our waterways for our children and grandchildren. Captain Vic Tison Co-Host of WOKV's 'Just Fishing' Radio Show, Saturdays 6:00am to 8:00am United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain International Game Fish Assoc. Certified Captain Regional Director for the Florida Guides Assoc. Member of the National Assoc. of Charterboat Operators Member of the American Professional Captain's Association Sponsor of The Inshore Saltwater Anglers Club Vic2Fish & Adventures, Inc. P O Box 28208 Jax., Fl. 32226 904-699-2285 Web Site http://vic2fish.com

Often referred to as "golden nuggets" pompano are a highly sought after fish. Pompano invade our inshore waters late fall and early winter. Once the water temperatures drop into the 70's the pompano head inshore to feed on small crabs, shrimp, and any other tidbits such as sand fleas they can find. Pompano are a very elusive fish to say the least. Just as with many other species of fish they are there one day and gone the next. Patience is a must while fishing for pompano. You will have to do some running around while at the same time doing your homework on their patterns. Just when you think you have them figured out they throw you a curve ball and your back to playing hide and seek with them.

The good news is once you do locate them your rewards will be well worth your efforts. Pompano will skip right out of the water which helps locate them. There is no need to put your engines into overdrive to locate the pomps. A slow moving boat keeping a steady pace will actually work to your advantage verses cruising through a school of pompano at a high rate of speed. If you are operating your boat too fast and happen to run through a school of pompano you will quickly see just how fast they can disappear. Keep your eyes peeled and when you spot a school of ladyfish that usually is a good indicator that pompano are scattered in with them as well. Another thing to watch for are schools of bat rays and stingrays they too will attract pompano to follow in tandem them eating all the goodies they raise up from the sandy bottom. Where you see one pompano skittering across the surface you are bound to see others close by. I can remember the first time I spotted a pompano skip out of the water and it nearly landed in the boat I was in.

ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 6, 2008 - Seaworthy, the newsletter from BoatU.S. that helps boaters and anglers prevent damage to their vessels, recently looked into some of the more common reasons for on-the-water boat troubles that occur mid-season. "Preventive maintenance will help you avoid the headaches and keep your crew or fishing buddies comfortable and safe," says Seaworthy Editor Bob Adriance. "So going over the boat's systems in the spring is very important. But now after a couple months of use, it's time to look at things again. A midsummer check-up will ensure you make it back to home port without a problem." Here are some midsummer maintenance tips for both power and sailboats:

• Through-hulls: Make a thorough check around any below-the-waterline hole or opening. Check all through-hulls for leaks and cycle seacocks to ensure they close properly. If it's hard to move the handle, make a note to service it next time the boat is out of the water. Any hose clamps should be tight and hose ends secure. A bilge pump cycle counter is a simple upgrade and the best early warning system that unwanted water is coming aboard.
• Engine belts: For inboard engines, look in areas near the belts checking for evidence of black dust - a sure sign that engine pulleys need to be realigned and the belt replaced. Push on the longest run of the belt - it should not deflect more than one half inch.
• Engine hoses: Squeeze coolant and fuel hoses with your hands, looking for softness, cracks or bulges. Replace any that are suspect. Wiggle the ends to ensure they are secure and inspect for any possible chafing issues in the engine compartment.
• Sterndrives: Inspect the folds in the bellows and replace if they show signs of cracking.
• Sacrificial zincs and anodes: A wasted zinc is a sure sign of trouble, possibly stray current at the dock. Ensure all zincs are no less than half gone - and replace them now if they are.
• Control cables: Look for chafe, splits or swelling of the plastic jacket - a sure sign the cable needs replacement.
• Outboard engine mounts: Smaller engines can sometimes vibrate loose, so re-tighten clamps and ensure the cut-off switch is operable.
• Hydraulic steering system and trim tabs: Ensure reservoirs are full. If you have to add fluid, there is leak that must be fixed immediately.
• Batteries and electrical system: Dead batteries are often nothing more than corroded connections - sandpaper can easily clean them up. With conventional batteries check water levels and add if necessary. Inspect cables and wiring for chafe, especially wherever they may pass through a bulkhead.
• Shorepower cable: Look for burn marks on the plug ends and the connection to the boat. Replace both the plug and receptacle immediately if you find any.
• Head: If your boat has a flushing toilet and its handle is getting hard to operate, you've likely got calcium buildup. Pour a cup of vinegar into bowl pumping only once or twice. Let it sit for one night before flushing with one-fourth cup of mineral oil.
• On deck: Old, stiff, or chafed dock lines should be replaced. Also check anchor line and chain shackles and any splices.
• Sailboats only: Look for any broken strands on standing rigging. You can find them by running a loose rag up the rigging, which will snag on any broken ends. Cracked swages are an indicator for immediate replacement. Contact a rigger if you suspect a problem. Running rigging also needs to be looked at - especially the roller furling line.
• Trailers: Inspect bearings and ensure they are well packed with grease. Hydraulic brake reservoirs should be full. Lastly, check the tires for wear and ensure lugs are tight.
  
  BoatU.S. - Boat Owners Association of The United States - is the nation's leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with a wide array of consumer services. For membership information visit http://www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

We do have hot weather this time of the year but you can enjoy some hot fishing with out heat stroke. Early mornings are the most predictable cooler times. AM is usually safer because of evening thunderstorms. Overcast days are also productive opportunities. Rainy days are usually our most fruitful catching. So the trick is to work with whatever Mother Nature offers rather than plan to go on hot days. Night time fishing is great if you are familiar with the waters you are fishing. Things are different at night. Pier fishing is great and the Skyway piers are a perfect spot to learn and enjoy fishing. Boating and wade fishing require that you know the areas you are fishing. Safety is literally life and death. If you are not sure of your self just take your time and develop your skills.

Night fishing around the lights is great but there are only so many lights to fish and lots of anglers wanting to be there. You can work other areas but it requires a keen awareness. You can really learn much faster in the dark because your senses are much sharper. Just use your head and exercise caution. Many of us are so tuned into live baits that we ignore artificial lures. You can catch plenty of fish on lures; they do require some time and effort to develop the techniques that produce strikes. Most of us over work lures. Just use minimum rod action to mimic wounded baitfish. Experiment with your choice of lure by observing its action while it’s close. Just let out a yard or so of line and play with the lure. Don’t laugh before you try this; it really helps you see/visualize what your presentation looks like to fish. Crippled baitfish hope inches not yards! Soft plastics are easy and safer for you and fish. Hard plastics are great fish produces but you need to be careful of those treble hooks. They can hook you as easy as a fish. Color can make a difference but there are plenty of basics like; red and white, or chartreuse, etc… Take some time and visit local tackle shops and develop a relationship with the staff at your favorite. They talk to fisherman every day, all day, and know what’s hot and where the fish are biting.

Experienced local guides are you very best value to learn about fish, boats and fishing. They are experts or would not stay in business. If you think they are expensive just buy a boat and learn how to spend money. Our best customers know how much time, energy and money they save fishing with us. Just price a rental rig and factor in the extra expenses you are responsible for like; fuel, oil, bait, gear, license, and any damage you may cause. Then add our experience and local knowledge, good guides are a bargain. Most of us guide so we can stay on the water not for the money, it just pays the bills. You would be surprised at how little we end up with after all the bills are paid; especially now with $4 gas.

Planning your family vacation for next year? Mark a day on the calendar to go fishing and boating. Fishing can be fun for the whole family. If you're planning — or just dreaming of — a fishing trip, here’s a tip that may make your adventure even more successful. Hiring a fishing guide or charter boat is one of the best ways to help ensure that your family will have a great day on the water. These professionals can help you find and catch the fish. To help you line up a charter boat or fishing guide, takemefishing.org offers several helpful tips: Do your research. Start with an online search. Takemefishing.org has a helpful search tool for finding guides and charters by locality. Set a budget. Depending on where you're going fishing and for how long, prices will vary. Generally, fishing guides take out two to three people and prices can range from $150 to $500 per day. Fishing charters let you rent the boat and crew for the day at prices ranging from $500 to $1200 per day, for up to six people (sometimes more) at a time. “Headboats” take out 20 to 60 people at a time and charge $30 to $75 per person. Don’t forget about tipping. The mate and crew of a fishing charter depend on tips. A standard tip is 10 to 20 percent of the fee, depending on the quality of the service. Captains usually own the boat and tipping is not expected, but is appreciated for exceptional service. Ask questions before you book. Once you’ve identified a guide or charter, ask:

•  Have they worked with kids?
• Will they clean the catch? Is there an extra fee?
• In the event of bad weather, is the deposit refundable? 
• Is a fishing license required?
• Is there a bathroom ("head") on board? 
• Is the boat in compliance with Coast Guard and state safety regulations? Be sure to let them know the kind of fishing you're interested in. For example, do you want to catch a lot of fish or go for size over quantity? The more they know about what you're looking for, the better your experience will be. Bring the essentials. Most charter boats and guides will provide everything you need to enjoy a day out on the water — equipment, ice, bait and tackle. But there are a few things you’ll want to be sure to bring: 
• Camera 
• Sunscreen 
• Sunglasses and hat 
• Weather-appropriate clothing 
• Lunch or snacks 
• A cooler (if you’re planning to take your catch home) Positive attitude Hiring a fishing guide or charter boat can get you to where the fish are biting.
  
  Your family and friends can have the best experience possible while increasing the likelihood that they'll want to go fishing with you again. For more fishing and boating tips, visit takemefishing.org.