Captain’s Corner: Mike Gore

The summertime heat is in full swing. Looks like we will finally get back to our summertime pattern towards the end of the week. Winds should be shifting from the West back to coming out of the East. We could use the rain over the water in the afternoon. This could help bring the water temperature down over night. It is currently sitting around 90 degrees. You will only be able to spend the first couple of hours of the day on the flats with water temperature this warm. After that, you will need to follow the fish to deeper water were it is cooler.

It is not too late to target tarpon if you like, especially just coming off the new moon. I believe a lot of our fish went offshore to spawn on this new moon but there are still enough around to go target them. In July they like to hang around the bridges and shipping channels. They are holding at the Skyway and Port Manatee. The Gandy Bridge it a good place to target them at night.

The Snook bite has been the best early and late. I still can’t believe all many fish are still hanging out in their Spring time spots. Of course, the big females are out on the beaches and in the passes. I try to not to target them while they are on their spawn. Live scaled sardines are the bait or a good bait to throw at them. If that doesn’t work, try soaking a big dead bait on the bottom.

Mangrove snapper can save a fishing day when it just gets too hot on the flats. The shipping channels and bridges are holding some nice fish. Scaled sardines fished with a knocker rig will do the job. Remember; just use enough weight to get it down to the bottom.