Capt. Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
June was a fine month for fishing in Steinhatchee. The month began with the opening of the red snapper season, which was shortened this year, but getting to deeper water paid off for a number of our experienced offshore fisherman. On opening day, Bruce Cooper and Paul Ouellette opened up with a 15.5 and 16 pound red snapper caught on 20 pound test in 90 feet of water. Also shown is a board full of beautiful snapper and grouper caught by Donnie Ellington. Rob Dilbone, fishing with his dad, landed this fine kingfish early in the month, caught on a trolled Stretch lure. Inshore, fishing was a bit more challenging with water temperatures soaring late in the month to as high as 90 degrees. In combination with the seasonal influx of floating grass, redfish and trout were hiding out in deeper water. While the occasional trout could be found in shallow water at daybreak, larger trout were found in 4 to 8 feet of water over mixed bottom, and could be taken with jigs tipped with Gulp tails fished slowly on the bottom, or with cut bait on a fishfinder rig. Spanish mackerel and bluefish were following the schools of baitfish nearshore and provided lots of action. Evan Folsom nailed this fine bluefish near one of the offshore reefs.
JULY 2009 FISHING FORECAST
There is only one forecast of note this month: scallop season opens July 1. Initial personal reports are good. I have seen scallops on every trip, but some reports have suggested that the largest numbers right now are in deeper water, up to 6 to 8 feet. Our best guess at this point is that the best place to begin is near Big Grass Island or possibly 9 Mile Bank to the north of Steinhatchee. Year in and year out, this is the prime location for scallops. Last year, however, there were larger quantities to the south of the river, between Rocky Creek and Tater Island in 3 to 6 feet of water. Remember that scallops stay down in the grass until the sun is high in the sky, so most people head out mid-morning. Also please remember that if you scallop without a diver down flag you are breaking the law and you will be ticketed. Using a flag will also protect your divers. If you are a newcomer to scalloping, please read Charlie Courtney's review of scalloping on the Sea Hag website, http://www.seahag.com/scalloping.htm . And as always, the Ship's Store at the Sea Hag Marina has everything you need for scalloping, including dive flags, snorkeling equipment, and fishing licenses, which are necessary in order to harvest scallops. If you don't want to bring your boat, the marina has an excellent fleet of rental boats. Scalloping is a great family activity. Come join us over the summer. Most of our guides do scallop trips, including:
Capt. Steve Rassell www.lastcastrass.com
Capt. Steve Hart www.legallimitscharters.com
Capt. Walt Carlson (352) 498-3176
Capt. Brian Smith www.bigbendcharters.com
Now, for our guide reports:
Capt. Wiley Horton www.tunersportfishing.com
It's raining red snappers! Take the time to get to 60+ feet, the fish are hitting on live or cut bait. Tinker mackerel and squid are the best choices if you don't want to take the time to get live bait. A 6/0 circle hook with a light leader on 20 lb test is pretty sporty tackle for going after these tough fighting fish. The larger fish are more reliably found in deeper waters past 70 feet. The season is only two months long, take advantage of it! Red grouper hang in the same spots that hold snapper, for a twist--try using a short piece of chain as your weight to attract these curious fish. Good luck and I hope to see you offshore.
Capt. Brian Smith www.bigbendcharters.com
It is hot! Deck temperatures can reach 115F or worse. Offshore boaters need to bring extra/excessive bottled water, Go Gator Ade, and fruit to keep the heat monkey from dancing on your back. Heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious issues leading to life threatening medical situations. This can easily be avoided by continuous hydration, appropriate clothing, shade, and a cold towel around your neck. Don't even think the monkey won't dance on you regardless of your background. At sea, the sun/heat reflects off the water and off the deck, making the monkey dance freely. Everyone needs to drink water or Gator Ade even when not thirsty. I do a gallon of water or more per trip. What I write is gospel! I've witnessed good men go down. It spoils what could have been a great fishing trip. By-the-by, beer is not a water alternative, though it is mainly water. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning you're not only excreting water from billions of pores in your skin but you're actually pumping it out as well; not smart. Celebrate with the good cold beer at the Tiki Bar; you'll enjoy it more and longer.
Now for the report -- Bait pods are five miles plus, look for visible dimpling in the surface when conditions are calm. Spanish mackerel and kingfish, as well as other fish are blowing up on the hapless pods. Even grouper may follow beneath the schools. Trolling or casting into this scene could prove productive in various ways. A tight line is a tight line!
Truck red grouper are 70' plus, randomly plucked from hard bottom. Red snapper are collected during the process. When the weather/conditions allow, drift fish. It is a lot easier and may float you to a 007 number you'd never pick up on sonar. Hint.
The offshore fishing is very good during the heat of summer; you just need to be prepared for the conditions. After all, you are fishing in Florida during the summer; wouldn't you expect it to be hot? Yea, bring it on.
Capt. Tommy Thompson, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy(352) 284-1763
June was a pretty good month for reds, but trout had moved into much deeper water and were probably more accessible to anglers using jigs or live bait. The topwater redfish bite was best along the shorelines, both north and south of the river's mouth. Close-to-shore fishing also means there's a better chance of getting away from unpredictable summer weather--and it's cooler in the mornings! July should be good, too, but we'll have to look for spots well away from the scallopers!
My new fishing guide book, The Saltwater Angler's Guide To Florida's Big Bend and Emerald Coast, is out and on sale. It's got LOTS of secrets, tips and trick, so don't forget to pick up a copy at the Sea Hag Ship's Store the next time you're at the marina. Learn more about the book at www.saltwateranglersguide.com
If you're interested in a 'catch-and-release hunting for big fish' trip, please give me a call. I'm booking 6-hour morning trips until it cools off in October. And if you're interested in some more in-depth information about fishing our beautiful Big Bend, take a look at my weekly Fishing4Cast on the Florida Sportsman Magazine website at http://www.floridasportsman.com/4cast/bb/index.html or at the Florida Sportsman Big Bend Action Spotter column in each month's issue.
Captain Steve Hart, www.legallimitscharters.com (352) 498-0299
