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Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico

Capt. Dave Pinkham
May 22, 2004
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report

The month of June offers plenty of action on the gulf

With the arrival of June, fishing action out on the Gulf of Mexico should bust wide open. This is the time of year when anything can and will happen on the gulf, so expect the unexpected. The point I am trying to make here is that just about any species of fish that swims in the gulf will be caught during the month of June.

So what can anglers fishing out on the Gulf expect to catch during the month of June? Following is sort of a fishing forecast starting from just off the beach up to 60 miles out on the gulf.

- Spanish mackerel should be plentiful just off the area beaches, and around the passes. Live bait enthusiasts should have no problem catching some of these toothy speedsters using live shiners as bait. Trolling or casting silver spoons through feeding or jumping fish will all but guarantee some quick hook ups.

- King mackerel will also be scattered out over hard bottom in 40’ to 100’ foot of water. Keeping live baits free-lined out on top while anchored down bottom fishing is a great way to liven up the action with a smoker kingfish.

- Tarpon fishing will about as good as it gets over the next few weeks. Sight fishing is one of the predominant methods used for targeting tarpon pods swimming up and down the coastline. Once a pod of tarpon is sighted, casting live baits such as crabs, pinfish, or grunts will often provoke one into hitting.

- Barracuda have once again returned to their summer haunts such as the artificial reefs and local shipwrecks. As the water temperatures continue to rise, these voracious feeders will hit just about anything and can actually become a nuisance for those anglers trying to target snappers or other small reef fish.

- Shark fishing can be additive, and the during the summer months is when it happens. Big hammerheads will be cruising up and down the coastline as they feed on tarpon. Smaller sharks such as blacktips and lemon sharks in the three to five foot range will be found over local reefs from one to twenty miles out on the gulf. During the daytime, these sharks feed best on small live fish.

- Permit fishing should peak in June. Once again, the wrecks and reefs are the best places to locate them. Line crabs, and jumbo shrimp both make excellent baits. These beautiful fish release well so handle them carefully after photographing.

- Grouper fishing has been very good all season. This time of year look for big red groupers out in at least 60' of water and deeper. Keeper gag groupers are apt to show up anywhere. Live and dead baits will both produce fish.

- Snapper fishing should payoff with some excellent table fare. There are many different species on the gulf such as mangrove, lane, yellow tail, mutton, and vermilion snappers. Cut bait and shrimp are hard to beat for good action.

- Blackfin tuna will still be around for a while. There smaller cousin the little tunny is usually plentiful on the gulf all summer long. Keeping live baits free lined out behind the boat while your busy bottom fishing is a good way to hook into a tuna.

- Sailfish, wahoo, and dolphin fishing should be turning on farther out on the Gulf. You may need to run for while so keep an eye out for weed lines once you hit bluewater.

If you're not out fishing you're wishing you were. Get out and go fishin cuz' it's good fer ya!

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Having worked as a fishing guide on Florida's west coast for 30 years, Capt. Dave can show you how to rig your boat and fish from Sarasota to Boca Grande

Contact Info:

Capt. Dave Pinkham' Fishing Service
Phone: 941-223-9352
Email the Captain
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