Fishing Report

FISHING REPORT 

August 2024

by Captain Mike McNamara

The last days of summer are here.  A small touch of fall has landed in August.  The 10 day forecast looks great. Water temps are holding in the mid 80’s.   Avoid the afternoon thunderstorms, and you may find an early fall bite.  

Speckled trout are always slow to react to a touch of fall weather.  Sometimes it takes a big move in temps to get them fired up.   Until then, fishing the deep edges will produce slot fish.  There are schools of glass minnows moving around the flats, and that will lead to tossing paddletails in gold, white, or glitter.  

The cooler water temps are a welcome break for redfish.  There is plenty of bait on the glasslines.  Best bet is high tide. Working coves and points holding bait with a gold spoon will catch them.  Topwater if the floating grass will allow.  Skitterwalks are always on the menu.

The early drop in summer temps has the migratory species on the move.  There are very large schools of bluefish, spanish macks, ladyfish and jacks feeding on the minnows. Most schools are holding on the deep flats in 10 feet and out.  Look for terns diving and busting water from underneath.  Always good fun setting plenty of hooks and hearing the drag.   These schools are just passing through, so catch them while you can.

The scallop report still remains weak in Apalachee Bay. Water visibility has remained low as the rains have continued this summer. Best bet is the Grey Mare flats.   Water is clean and a late summer trip may be worthwhile. 

Gag grouper season opens September 1, for a limited time!  A summer gag bite is as good as a winter cobia bite!  There will be some fish caught for those sinking bait of good numbers. Let us   take a day during the 15 day season to write a congressperson. Let's get the feds out of Florida fisheries management.  Please check local regulations, as they seem to change quickly.

Fall fishing is coming! Until then, enjoy the end of summer days…