Fishing Roundup: Summer fishing has seemed better than usual, but there's always a catch

Granted, some years the ear hasn’t been all the way to the ground, so there’s no selling this as exact science.

“Results may vary,” as they say.

But between all the snook pictures folks send me, as well as those seen on “social” media, all that tarpon talk and the continued surplus of surfside pompano, this hasn’t felt like the typical summertime slowdown.

But there’s always a catch, right?

It’ll help tremendously if you turn in early, wake up early — no, even earlier than you’re thinking — and get after it. Yes, that’s always the case around here from June through September, give or take, but the early-bird chirping this year has been steadier than the norm.

“The bite in the river has been awesome, especially early morning with incoming tide,” says Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer charter). “It’s been so good that I was basing where I fished strictly off the tide for a few days.

“I had one morning with two anglers, and when we pulled up to the first spot, your bait didn’t last more than a couple seconds before a bite.”

STILL LEAPIN' Tarpon talk hasn't slowed; did you know they come up for air?

Of course, Capt. Jeff knows what he’s doing. What about us in the cast-and-hope crowd, you wonder.

Glad you asked.

“If you find the right water, you can still catch good numbers of fish,” promises Capt. Mike Vickers from his perch at Hammock Bait & Tackle in Palm Coast.

Right water?

“Moving water, deeper water, and shade,” Capt. Mike says. “That deeper water may only be a foot, or a little more, off an oyster bar, to several feet in a creek mouth, at a bend, or a hole.”

The right place is good, but the right method is also key.

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You know how you’re less likely to spring into outdoor action when it’s hotter than Satan’s side yard? Well, there’s a lot of science that says our ancestors evolved from fish, so it’s no surprise our underwater brethren share that certain trait. Work your bait slower than you would in cooler times — tease and tempt, tempt and tease, and eventually you convince the fish’s stomach to overrule its desire to sit this one out.

“In general, fish won’t hit and run in the summer, but simply pick the bait up,” Capt. Mike suggests. “When fishing these areas, if your bait stops, gently raise the rod tip.”

That little tug will likely break free if you snagged some structure or found a crab. If it’s a hungry fish, give it time to get a good grip and either set the hook (if you’re J-hooking) or let him hook himself (if circle-hooking).

Smaller bait is also generally recommended in summertime. Another underrated key is keeping your live bait in a sporty mood, assuming you’re a live-bait angler. Whether using a live well or bait bucket, you’ll not only want a quality bubbler to keep the oxygen flowing, but some ice to keep that water cool, which in turn makes your bait wide-eyed and jumpy.

Capt. Mike suggests frozen water bottles instead of ice, and better yet, frozen bottles of river water, just in case there’s a leak.

Now, go get ’em. You can’t stay on the porch forever. The napping couch will still be there when you return.

Halifax/Indian River

Back to Capt. Jeff and that busy early-morning trip this past week.

“We caught eight snook, seven keeper mangroves, two nice seatrout, a flounder, jacks, blues and a redfish.”

There was a ninth snook, he says, but a six-foot bull shark destroyed it right next to the boat.

“I’ve been using live shrimp and smaller finger mullet with a split shot,” Capt. Jeff says.

Did he say snook?

Here’s you’re annual reminder: Snook come off the no-no list at the end of next week (Sept. 1). That needle-threading slot remains, however, at 28-32 inches.

Capt. Billy Pettigrew is back in full swing after some major boat issues resulted in, yep, a new boat for his Come-N-Get-It charter service (RedfishTails.com). He’s been breaking it in nicely.

“Start off shallow, first thing in the morning, for redfish, snook and flounder,” he suggests. “Use shrimp, small mullet, or mudminnows.”

Not a live-bait guy?

“You can also use small paddle tails in a shrimp or mullet color — 2½ to 3½ inches. Once the sun comes up head to deeper water or fish shade lines from trees, docks and bridges. Use shrimp and small mullet to catch a mixed bag of everything.”

And don’t be afraid to spread your wings. Art Mowery generally fishes the Edgewater and Oak Hill areas, but has drifted southward the past couple of weeks — his recent fish pictures show the Kennedy Space Center in the background.

“Fished Oak Hill one day and it was slow,” he says. “The next day, went south toward Mims and found trout.”

Or, sometimes, you can stay put and maybe the fish will find you.

“The snook fishing has been crazy from the pier,” Ike Leary says of the mammoth pier behind his Granada Bait shop in Ormond.

Flagler

The busiest spot has been at Matanzas Inlet, Capt. Mike says.

“The incoming tide and clearer, cooler water is bringing reds, black drum, flounder …”

Over on the beachside, the surf has been producing plenty of whiting and also some scattered pompano, he adds.

“You just have to fish through the catfish,” he unfortunately adds.

St. Johns

It takes a few panfish to make a meal, but they’re out there, especially early.

“Big catches of specks coming in from the St. Johns River,” says Capt. Bryn Adams (Highland Park).

She recommends deep water with jigs.

As usual, the specks, as well as bluegill and warmouth, can be found in the backwater creeks, she adds. The main river is still seeing some catches of bass, but again, early is best.

Teach ’em young

A couple of neat events are coming up on back-to-back Saturdays, beginning with the Sept. 9 “Kids Can Fish, Too” clinic. The Halifax Sport Fishing Club is taking this one on the road, to Bushman Park in Port Orange (4545 Spruce Creek Road).

Kids 5-15, accompanied by an adult, will learn all the ins and outs of fishing, including knot-tying, cast-netting and the various rules.

All bait and tackle are provided, and the first 100 kids completing the clinic, and fishing the park’s lake afterward, get a free rod and reel.

Register online at HSFC.com, where you can also get additional info.

The following Saturday (Sept. 16), Desiree Harbster (Southern States Fishin’ & Huntin’ magazine) will host an event at Menard May Park in Edgewater (South Riverside Drive, just south of the new boat ramps).

The first 100 kids get a chum bucket filled with “goodies,” and free rods and reels while supplies last. Gobblers Lodge, out of Osteen, will also be there with its mobile archery range.

Snacks and lunch provided. More info: Call Desiree at 386-478-3725 or email FishAndHuntDay@gmail.com.

Hook, line and clicker: Send us your fish pics

We want to see your most recent catch. Email your fish photos to ken.willis@news-jrnl.com.

Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we're occasionally stumped). All are included with our online fishing report, and some occasionally make the print edition.

Do I need a fishing license?

You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida's Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you're 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don't need a license. No: If you're fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you're a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.). However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license.

Where do I get a license and what does it cost?

Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick's, Walmart, etc.).  Florida's FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses:  GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don't forget: Whether you're fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually.

I’m here on vacation, do I need a license?

Yes you do, and they're also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers. Cost: $17 for three days, $30 for seven days, $47 for a year.Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they're just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures. (Florida residents need that license, too, but they're free.)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Yes you can catch fish in this heat, and here's how | Fishing Roundup