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Dog Days
Capt. Stewart Ames
August 20, 2018
Clearwater - Saltwater Fishing Report
After stellar fishing from spring through mid summer, waters heat and fishing cools a bit. Strong tides still provide ample opportunity to hook redfish although, if it during the heat of the day, be prepared to search for them around and under cover, such as docks and mangroves (on the higher tides). Decent numbers of fish can be found on any given day and they may well be large, but even redfishing isn't a sure bet this time of year.
Snook have begun to disperse as the summer spawning period has concluded. Fish will still inhabit the same locations but the numbers will generally be fewer. Groups of large fish are harder to find. Having said that, on a recent trip, two groups of snook were located right off the beach in about 3 feet of water. Size was mixed but each group numbered 30 - 40 fish so there are still enough fish around to make this species worth targeting. Come prepared with lots of whitebait as chumming may well be required to get these fish in an eating mood.
August will test a fisherman's versatility. If the snook and redfish are slow, the strategy must become simply one of bending rods and there are several options to make this happen. There are still decent trout populations to be found on the grass flats just inside of the intercostal islands. Yes, the fish are smaller but quality fish can be found. Low light periods of the day might provide some better specimens. Medium sized whitebait are the ticket for these fish. Chumming over grass flats in and around the entrances of passes may produce some blacktip shark action. This time of year, these fish can be anywhere from 4-5 pounds on up to 30 or 40…providing some strong runs and the occasional jump. If there's a strong interest in hooking a shark though, wait until dusk and start chumming heaviily just inside or actually in the passes. The types of sharks as well as the size may well increase. A final option would be to run a few miles out to target grunt, mangrove snapper and possibly some Spanish mackerel on the near shore reefs. Grouper, both red and black are open, but keeper size specimens are likely to be much further out this time of year. Good luck and good fishing.
Target Species:
Snook, Redfish Seatrout
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