Fishing Report & Forecast Nassau Sound

By Capt. Tony Bozzella

Definitelyhot weather fishing, again you will hear me talk about early and late to beat the heat, unless you are fishing offshore. As a rule of thumb, when the mid to late morning sea breezes start to blow, it’s time to run the beach and fish bait pods, or if pulling on a strong fish you cast a bait behind the shrimp boats and hook sharks and occasional tarpon. Not good for table fare. In the mornings if the tide is low, pole the boat quiet looking for backing fish. The standard methods will work. TBS jig & shrimp combo in 1/161/4 oz best. Always use the lightest and least terminal tackle on your line. Less is better! If the tide is high or rising, and you are outside the window of redfish, I like to throw lures for trout and many other species. There are more fish in general in the hot months. Mangrove snapper is a great seasonal fish, that are easy to catch and delicious to eat. Again, a lightest, TBS, Jig, and a piece of shrimp and you will know within minutes if they are in the spot. I’d like to fish around structure for them as they live in areas with rocks structure or any other things matching. You can keep 5 per harvester, / 10 inch min. Flounder should be doing better as the season moves fwd. Jig and live mudminnow or finger mullet worked in areas with structure is best. Moving water preferably. Drag your bait on bottom, staying in tune & waiting for the “thump”. Give it afew seconds & set the hook. Have a net ready as flounder come off the hook easily. Trout will be in the mix, However, the better bite has been coming deeper on float & jig & bait combos. Last July, I had Angler Will Felner with an over 30 inch 8lb trout!! We caught him early morning, low light, incoming cool water. However, anglers that fish the evenings around sundown into the night at dock lights will do best. A live or DOA shrimp, can be a good bait. Through just to the edge of the shadow, stay in tune with the bait so you feel all what’s happening & know when the bite happens. Often to much slack can get in the anglers line and when the bite comes, and he’s unaware ? If lures are your bait of choice, hit points getting divided by incoming tide that hold bait can be a great spot. I like to throw up current far, and work the lure back with the tide as fish face into the current waiting for a tasty morsel!! July can produce a variety of fish this way. Sometimes a spot might be holding jacks, ladyfish, Bluefish, Redfish, snook and many other species that come along with the warm water fishing. Ok, get out & enjoy fishing, still a couple months to hunting season!!