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Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico
Capt. Dave Pinkham
July 29, 2004
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
August Offshore Gulf Fishing Report
Providing that wind and sea conditions cooperate, the month of August should offer up some great offshore fishing opportunities. During this time of the year the gulf’s water temperature really heats up. As it does, certain species of fish are more likely targets for the savvy anglers that know which fish to go after.
Following is a gulf fishing forecast for the west coast of Florida in the areas south of Tampa Bay. Anglers fishing out on the Gulf of Mexico during the summer months should constantly be aware and stay abreast of rapidly changing weather conditions.
- Spanish Mackerels have been plentiful from just off the beaches up to 10 miles offshore. An excellent bait for mackerels is live pilchards, which can be cast netted. Anchoring the boat and free-lining these live baits at the surface works best. If action is slow or non-existent try chumming with some of the live pilchards. This can often coax lazy or wary fish into feeding.
- Little Tunnies generally make a good showing in the hot summer months testing angler’s stamina, as well as their fishing gear. Once you get a few miles offshore of the coastline, these junior members of the tuna family are apt to show up just about anywhere. Although little tunny’s meat is of poor eating quality, you will appreciate their strength and speed once you get one on the end of your line.
- Dolphin (mahi mahi) usually move up the Florida west coast within 20 to 30 miles of the coastline during late summer. Be on the lookout for large bunches of sargassum grass or any other type of flotsam, which often may hold schoolie dolphins. One way to fish for dolphin is to pull up close to the sargassum grass and sight cast to fish that are spotted below the surface. Using a free-lined bait works great for this. Trolling along the edge of a well-defined weed line can often produce some larger dolphin.
- Trigger Fish are one species of fish that will please most any palette. Usually the best locations to find them are hanging around rock piles, ledges, and the county artificial reefs. Because they have small mouths be sure to rig down on your terminal l tackle accordingly. Best baits are shrimp, shiners, cut sardines and squid.
- Snappers such as mangrove, lane, yellow tail, mutton, and vermilions are all commonly caught in local offshore waters. As with most bottom species the best fishing holes will be hard bottom, ledges, springs, and wrecks. Snapper can be somewhat finicky at times so it can be wise to use as light as gear as possible. For leaders consider using fluorocarbon monofilament as it is less visible to the fish. Best baits should be small crabs, shrimp, live shiners, cut sardines and squid.
- Red grouper fishing action usually peaks in the summer months, and our local waters offer some of the best red grouper fishing in the state. These hefty bottom dwellers can be the best way to put some fish on the dinner table. Look for the larger reds out past 70’ deep. Try drift fishing over hard bottom. When you locate a bite of red grouper, throw your marker jug. Now, you can re-drift the same area, or anchor down. Reds are known to be voracious feeders, eating just about any sort of bait. A good method I’ve found to use when drift fishing is to tip a 4oz jig with squid and bounce it along the bottom with the drift.
- Cobia are always a welcome sight. They will often just pop up under the boat when you’re fishing for grouper or some other species. Casting a live bait in their direction is usually the quickest way to get one on the hook.
- Sailfish and other bluewater species such as wahoo are often caught in the warm summer months. Usually the farther out you go, the better your chances of crossing paths with these species. As when fishing for mahi mahi, watch for weed lines and surface activity to help locate them.
As you see there is a lot of variety during this time of the year. Remember, 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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