with Sky adventures

Abad day on the water is better than a good day in the office. That old saying may not feel so true with this mid-Summer heat. High temps are sending us running back inside to enjoy the air conditioning and sip on a sweet iced tea.

Even though it’s uncomfortably hot, running for shade isn’t an option for this lady angler. With the summer heat it may feel a little more challenging on the water to hook up, however there’s still plenty of good inshore action.

When to fish

This time of the year you will find the bite is going off early in the morning at dawn, first light and right before the sun goes down.

I specialize in sight fishing Redfish from the grassy flats of Mosquito Lagoon and Snook fishing in the Tomoka Basin. The great thing about these specific species is you can find them year around, both Redfish in the estuary as well as Snook in the basin. Fishing the tide as well as dawn or dusk is key this time of the year!

Baits to Use

I am all for artificial baits!

My go to for Sighting Reds, Snook, Tarpon, and/or Trout is a basic 3” no Live Bait needed paddle tail which is my top choice. Depending on if I’m in a shallow flat, the Lagoon, a deep creek, or canal in the basin I use a weedless or weighted jig head. Obviously the weedless in the grassy flats and weighted in the deeper waters.

DOA, Egret shrimp (especially for Tarpon) Bomber lurers such as a bodank a donk, popping cork, mir-o-lures and super spools are a few of my personal go-to’s.

Where to find the fish

In this Summer time heat., you will find fish scattered. For instance, Redfish will be along mangrove lines, Tarpon under bridges, and Snook next to pilings. I look for vegetation and structure and when targeting tarpon and Snook I typically prefer fishing at night. Tarpon are typically nocturnal feeders and the night in the Summer is fire aka extremely active. At night under brides and docks these species like structure so that’s where you will find the most activity. I use artificial baits but you can free line a live bait for a guaranteed hit.

Don’t be that angler, folks. How many of you are excited to get in the water and thought for certain you had everything you needed. You tried everything in your tackle bag but nothing hit your baits? I’ve been there and it’s surely a bummer, especially in the summer heat. It can make things a little more challenging to bring fish to the boat. I recommend bringing live and artificial baits to be prepared for whatever the case may be. One day you could be plucking every catch on artificials, and find the next day they won’t chew. Then toss out a live bait and get smashed then listen to your drag scream! It’s always best to be prepared and have choices so you are guaranteed a successful fishing trip.

SkyE Burkhardt Follow her social media: @Brassyangler87