AS SEEN IN THE JULY/AUGUST 2008 ISSUE 

July/August West Central Fishing Forecast: 

By: Captain Marc Noe - Florida Fishing Charters

It’s that time of year again when the early mornings and late afternoons offer the most comfortable conditions to be out on the water. This is not to say that you can’t catch fish during the middle of the day, it is just going to be scorching hot as the mid-day sun cranks up the heat. Tarpon, snook, redfish and trout will be the main targets for inshore anglers, and offshore anglers who make the long run to the deeper-waters of the Gulf will be justly rewarded with quality catches of grouper, snapper, amberjack and a wide variety of other hard-pulling bottom dwellers. Summertime in West Central Florida means one thing – anglers from around the world will be visiting our area to take advantage of the fantastic fishing opportunities this region has to offer. If you haven’t already done so, now’s the time to make those reservations and join in on the fun and exciting angling adventures this region has to offer!

Tarpon mania is beginning to slow down now that many of the major tournaments have passed, leaving the tarpon scene a bit more sane for the rest of us. Although the large concentrations of tarpon will be thinning-out over the next two months, there will still be some large individuals hanging around area beaches and moving through Tampa Bay. In most cases, spinning tackle with 50lb. test braided line, an 80lb. fluorocarbon leader and 6/0 circle-hook will be enough to seal the deal. Live crabs, pinfish, threadfin herring and other whitebait work well, however, fast-sinking plugs and soft-plastics will provide plenty of action as well. Dark-colored baitfish and crab patterns work well for those brave enough to tackle a ‘poon on fly. No matter what style of fishing you prefer – patience is the key to tarpon success.

Sneaky snook will be wrapping up their spawning sessions along area beaches and passes and should turn their attention to filling their bellies. Fishing the Swash Channel just as the sun rises is a perfect setting for tangling with big female snook on the lookout for breakfast, however the beaches and passes will not be the only linesider haunts.

Docks and bridge fenders that are well-light will hold big snook as well. The best time to fish these areas is in the evening and early morning periods with steady tidal flow. Many snook will be caught and released along mangrove shorelines and deeper cuts adjacent to the mangroves, as live whitebait will be hard for any respectable linesider to resist.

Look for mullet nervously jumping and cruising the flats, and it just may lead you to redfish bliss. If you locate this activity focus your efforts with soft-plastics, gold spoons, or frisky live baits. Working the oyster bars and mangrove shorelines during summertime periods with quality tidal-flow will also bring some respectable reds to the boat. Drifting grass flats in St. Joseph’s Sound, Tampa Bay, and Sarasota Bay will provide great action with trout throughout most of the day, with the early morning and late afternoon bite being the most productive. Live shrimp, scaled-sardines and pinfish rigged under a popping cork will connect you with trout, and surface chuggers and plugs worked early in the morning will draw explosive surface strikes. During the heat of the day, I suggest you target deeper grass flats in the six to eight-foot range with jigs, subsurface lures, and live bait to keep the bite going.   

Serious offshore anglers know that during the summer months, they will have to make a long run to deeper-water to find consistent catches. Making the 125-mile run out to the Steps will put you on dolphin, blackfin tuna, wahoo, sailfish and maybe even a swordfish! This puts you in the 600 to 1,000-foot depths – true blue-water fishing. The Middle Grounds will hold quality numbers of mangrove snapper, gag and red grouper and remember to deploy a flat line when you are sinker-bouncing because a smoker king might show up and crash your party at any time! Closer to shore, I suggest you target reefs, rock piles, and wrecks at night during full moon phases to produce serious snapper action.

Be safe, have fun, and be sure to take a kid fishing!

Capt. Marc E. Noe
Florida Fishing Charters
Cell - (813)363-1743
E-Mail - captmarcnoe@tampabay.rr.com

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