WILD FLORIDA
ROD AND REAL TIPS CAPT. SCOTT WILLIAMS ON FISHING'S HOT MONTHS eat affects fish like it affects us. But no sweat. Every fishing season has opportunities. Summer is no different. It brings gamefish closer to shore, or to the beaches and piers, as bait has moved inshore.
And like every season, summer has its rules, little extras to figure out, even if it's the basics of keeping yourself and your family safe and hydrated. I'll even run my charter boat in wide circles to cool my fishing clients on windless days. Tip two is about bait. Warmer water brings some species closer to shore. Snook, for example, will be firing off as they move closer to beaches and jetties for their annual spawn. Castnetting nearshore for pinfish is great and even the beaches will surprise summer anglers. I want pinfish from 3-4 inches, smaller for tripletail, larger for sharks, for example. Cut ladyfish works well on certain occasions. Salted sardines and whitebait are preferred, though. And pichards are great if you can find them. Tip three: Shore anglers look for deep sections of beaches for bigger fish. I suggest 7-7 ½ foot light-action rods with
a 3000-4000 series spinning reel. The reels are similar in casting distance but the 4000 seems to retrieve a bit better. Both are good, though. Nearer inshore use 15-20-pound test line, with a braided 3-4 foot leader.
RUN UP TO 'FISH ON'
I'm up hours before the sun, getting the boat ready for my fishing clients. These are people mostly from the Midwest enjoying themselves. But locals use our services too. It's no secret that while charter captains work hard and have headaches, we have the best job in the world. It's pure fun and rewarding when kids boat their first gamefish. My home base is St. James City in Pine Island. You want to be in the water as the sun comes up. Sunlight activates baitfish. You throw a 12-foot cast net in the full sun, those baitfish will run. Morning shadows and baitfish just starting to move around, your work is easier. With a full live well, I'm at the dock for pick-up at eight or so. I take a few minutes to go over safety gear and other instructions. Are we looking to have fun, I ask. Which gets smiles. Are we here to catch and release, to keep, to see
IT'S NO SECRET THAT WHILE CHARTER CAPTAINS WORK HARD AND HAVE HEADACHES, WE HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD. Capt. Scott Williams
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INSET PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. SCOTT WILLIAMS
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Written by: Capt. Scott Williams
