by Capt. Matt Mitchell
Crazy heat and days without any wind require certain things to be successful in fishing. The first thing that changes in the summer is that most of the whitebait have gotten extremely small, and keeping them alive gets extremely difficult as the water temperature is right around 90 degrees. Switching it up and setting bait traps is what I do for most of the summer, as it ensures bigger baits, usually pinfish and grunts.
This trap caught bait is plentiful and can be fished in a variety of ways. Around the passes, a live pinfish on a knocker rig with a 1/2oz sinker is the go-to snook bait. Pinfish can also be tail-hooked and thrown deep under the mangroves, and they put out crazy vibrations. Cut or trim a pinfish, too, and you have great redfish bait. Smaller pinfish under a popping cork will catch trout.
Another bait option throughout the summer months is cut ladyfish, which are relatively easy to catch on plastic paddle tails throughout the sound. Ladyfish chunks work really well during hot water periods as gamefish simply don’t want to be crazy active, and a chunk is an easy meal. Although throwing chunks often requires putting the rod in a rod holder and waiting for the bite, these chunks can be cast a mile. Sand holes around the many bars and up under the mangroves are both great places to soak chunks. If you are targeting redfish, a cut bait this time of year is hard to beat.
All summer long, start your day early. The first few hours after 1st light are the most productive before our water temperature soars. This few-hour time frame is the magic time to not only find rolling tarpon but also to catch snook, redfish, and trout. Later in the day, right before sunset, is also another good time to be out. Once we get into the pattern of afternoon thunderstorms, the rain cools off the water and fires up the fish again.
One thing I really do love about summer is the lack of boats and angler pressure. Early morning tarpon fishing is my favorite and what I enjoy doing on days off. Although it’s not the huge amount of tarpon we had in the spring, these fish have generally spawned and will eat a well-presented bait. Sight fishing these summertime tarpon is as good as fishing gets.
Capt. Matt Mitchell moved to Sanibel in 1980 and has lived in St. James City since 2000, when he started his fishing charter business. He spends over 300 days a year “living the dream” fishing. For questions and info: bookings@captmattmitchell.com
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