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Beat the August heat and enjoy some hot fishing.<br />
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Its summer time so start out early and beat the heat. While our tarpon fishing is past prime, it is not over. Our redfish are just getting primed up. Snook season is just around the corner; it opens up the First of next month. Trout are growing fast with all the small minnows to fatten up on. Spanish Mackerel and snapper are ready to provide fish dinners if your hungry and want action fishing. Some cobia are due to move into shore while they are spawning. I’m avoiding the mid-day fishing but we do have fun catching some good fish. <br />
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Tarpon season was productive and fun. We did not have the consistency we are used to because of the weird fronts stalling in North Florida. One just blew thru as I put this together mid July, Go figure? Their south west winds kept us rocking and rolling more than usual. The fish were here but the conditions just refuse to stabilize for consistency. We do still have plenty of silver kings around the Big Pass and they drop inside and out with the tides. Crabs are flowing on the “hill tides” and we could enjoy a hot bite if the evening thunderstorms allow safe fishing. it requires some time and patience but we have quality fish if your up for it.<br />
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Red fishing has improved every trip recently. We are picking up a rally of fish that puts a smile on all our faces. It’s not the bite of “the old days” but double and triple headers is still fun. Minnows are small so we have caught some on dead baits and lures are dependable produces. Gold spoons will catch fish if you’re on them. Top water is hot frequently now too just watch the treble hooks on oversized fish. <br />
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Snook are here and numbers look good. Lots of undersized fish but some slot and trophy fish also; one more month till they are table fare again. The slot is tight but you can have fun and a fair shot at fresh snook dinner this Fall. Try to Sabiki some big threadfin for big fish action. Lots of small minnow around but they are not going to fool many trophy fish. <br />
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Trout have shown a dramatic come back and are thriving on this minnow hatch. We had a fish over twenty-seven inches last week. I don’t usually target trout now but they are eating our red fish baits and we are not complaining about it. We can expect a great trout bite when thing cool off any later this year.<br />
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Spanish Mackerel and snapper are eager to pounce on those tiny fry minnows. Many of both are small right now but growing fast like the minnows. I saw schools of snapper this year with hundreds of fish bunched up this could be a blessing for our fishery. Remember the circle hooks, venting and dehooking tools. Use chum to attract and hold hungry fish here. Carry lots of hooks you’ll need spares.<br />
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I usually start to see some bigger cobia cruising the current lines and around pilings now. It’s not big schools but quality fish and worth keeping gear ready and an eye open for em. Usually there are several fish close together. <br />
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Don’t forget to stay up on the weather now it’s getting to be that time of the year. Make plans for big storms and avoid disasters. Let’s Go Fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard. <info@captvan.com> <br />
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