OFFSHORE

by Capt. Abie Raymond

August is snapper month aboard the “GO HARD.“ Mutton snapper have been lling my anglers‘ dinner plates throughout July. Yellowtail snapper, fat mangroves and muttons will be chewing in August. Yellowtail snapper like tiny pilchards shed on appropriately sized jig heads with 15 lb. uorocarbon leader. Anchor in 25-60 feet of water and sh heavy chum. Drop the baited jig head back in the chum and free line it until your line speeds up fast. Close the bail and you’re on! Nighttime will be best. Speaking of nocturnalnasties, cubera and mangroves will be snapping LATE at night, a er 11 or midnight is usually best. Anchor on shallow reefs and sh half a fresh pilchard on a knocker rig for the mangroves. Anchor in 40-60 feet of water for the mangroves. Fish a healthy sized slab of bonita on the bottom for the cubera and big muttons. Fish 60-80 lb. uorocarbon and a long leader bottom rig for the mutts and cubera. Focus on natural bottom. e natural reefy bottom down o the ragged keys can be extremely productive for all these species.

Good luck and GO HARD.

Captain Abie Raymond