5 days of fishing in key largo

AS SEEN IN THE July/August 2008 ISSUE 

July/August  Northeast Fishing Forecast:

by: Captain Jim Hammond - Hammond Fishing Charters

During the months of July and August, North Florida anglers should have a firm grip on the areas live bait populations. Whether inshore or off, bait pods will be schooled up in tight concentrations. This means anglers can have loads of fun targeting the predatory game fish that will be foraging near these large schools. Birds are by far the best way to locate bait pods so keep a look out for terns, gannets and frigates on the offshore scene, and pelicans, gulls and cormorants on the inshore backwaters.

For those anglers who prefer to target the calm inshore waters, I highly suggest you concentrate your efforts in areas that are near bends or points where the bottom contour makes an abrupt change in depth. When the current flows over a change in bottom contour it creates an upwelling. This shift in water flow confuses baitfish and forces them to the surface. Both game fish and birds are attracted to this opportunity for an easy meal and if you are there at the correct time, it can be easy pickings!

When targeting areas with prominent baitfish activity, try to pick an offering that matches the hatch, or you can always go with the old standby – a ¼ oz. jighead with a three-inch white/chartreuse curly-tail grub. The inshore top-water action should be red-hot, and just about any surface lure will produce quality catches of redfish and trout. When targeting these species I prefer the grassy shorelines for my top-water fix, and I also prefer the last two hours of the incoming and first two hours of the outgoing tide for this endeavor.

On the offshore waters, from just off the beach to several miles out, working birds are dead giveaway to locating large schools of baitfish. When fishing in the open-ocean during the summer months, I prefer to fish an offering that is a little larger than one I would use on the inshore waters. Try a six-inch Gotcha Shad Body, as this large soft-plastic fished on a ½ oz. jighead is usually extremely effective for a wide variety of species. There are also some quality hard-plastic plugs that work well offshore, but I have always been a bit timid when it comes to real big fish thrashing their heads with a mouth full of treble hooks.

For those of you not willing to make the long run to the ‘Stream, the waters inside the 50-mile mark should be loaded with dolphin, tuna and wahoo during the coming weeks. Even closer to shore anglers can find king mackerel, bonito, barracuda, Spanish mackerel and possibly a stray cobia or sailfish. The best way to hookup with one of the aforementioned species is to troll, however, your speed will be dictated by the variety of offerings you choose to drag.

If you prefer to fish with live bait, I suggest slow-trolling cigar minnows, mullet, Spanish mackerel, ribbon-fish, tinker mackerel, pogies, or bluefish. When plying for toothy-pelagics like wahoo, king mackerel and ‘cuda, I suggest you make a live bait rig with a short section of wire leader and a few “stinger” hooks rigged on the wire. There are many variations of this rig and a quick search on the internet will provide you with plenty of insight. Any reel that has the capacity to hold 350-yards of 20lb. test line will suffice and most anglers prefer a conventional reel and a limber seven to eight-foot rod. In past seasons, I have had great success with my Pflueger Contender G20L reel and 7’9” Ugly Stik Tiger rod.

If you would rather troll dead baits, you can do so at higher speeds. Generally, six to eight knots is an effective dead-bait trolling speed. Some anglers prefer to drag artificials, however, I have had the greatest success with natural baits including cigar minnow, ballyhoo, Spanish mackerel and mullet. For this scenario I prefer a reel that can hold approximately 500-yards of 30 lb. test and a medium action rod.

No matter what style of fishing you prefer, if you can locate the concentrations of live bait, you will most likely have a fun and enjoyable day on the water.

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