Capt. Hemmer's fishing tips: 7/11

By CAPT. DOUG HEMMER
(727) 347-1389

WHAT'S HOT: Redfish are starting to school in large numbers. During most of the summer, schools have held 25 to 50 redfish. These smaller schools are joining ranks and making pods that hold 200 to 300 fish. They are moving close to the mangrove shoreline during the incoming tide. During the peak of high tide most of the reds will move under the mangroves. This is when it gets difficult to locate the school.

You will need to use your trolling motor on low or a push pole and travel just outside the mangroves. Look under the branches for long dark shadows. When you locate the school, anchor the boat a little farther from the mangroves and cast your bait where there are openings in the branches. A corked rig will help you know where your bait is and give you a chance at pulling it away from the branches before the bait gets snagged.

SPAWN: Large schools of bait spawn are moving out of the bay and into the gulf. Places to target are Egmont Key and just outside the passes. Look for birds working the dark patches of water. Bonita, mackerel, jacks, ladyfish and tarpon will be feeding on the spawn. The spawn baits are ½-inch long and your lures should be the same size. If you do find tarpon rolling in the bait, switch to a live pinfish and free-line it where the tarpon roll. The spawn should stay around until the middle of August.

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Capt. Hemmer's fishing tips: 7/4

by CAPT. DOUG HEMMER
(727) 347-1389

As we move into the warmest part of summer, water temperature becomes the biggest factor in knowing when fish want to feed. Nighttime, sun-up, and sundown will be the coolest parts of the fishing cycle. Most of the gamefish in our area will feed best when the water is at its coolest point. During the warmest part of the day, most fish in shallow water will be slow to feed. Fishing the coolest parts of the day or moving to deeper water during the middle of the day will increase your chances of having a productive trip.

Snook are hanging around most area passes. The best baits have been threadfins and pinfish. If and when you can find croakers, don't hesitate to use them. They are the best bait to use when fishing the beach for snook. Beach fishing is sight fishing. You'll need a good pair of polarized glasses to see the snook moving through the swash channels. When you locate a school, anchor up-current and let your baits drift back to the school. Keep casting at the snook. More times than not, your bait will swim away from the snook.

Redfish has been hanging close to the oyster bars and mullet schools. A small pinfish under a cork is sure to draw a strike. Most of the redfish will be on the windy side of the mangroves. As the morning moves toward noon, the schools will move closer to the mangroves.

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