Late summer fishing in south Florida is usually excellent. This is my favorite time of the year fish because results are usually very good with inshore species-it's the time of the year for the flats. Whether backcountry or bay you will find good action as long as you have some visibility and can see what the fish are doing. Try to find an angle where the sun is at your back and look for signs of mudding fish, stingrays, feeding fish, and birds. The bright summer sun will also require that you have some polarized sunglasses to help you recognize shadows from fish. It's important to use the sun in conjunction with the tide in order to be successful. Combine that previously stated plus a good bait or lure presentation and bang! You should be well-hooked all summer long.
Flats specific species that we normally target are bonefish and permit in Biscayne Bay and redfish, tarpon, trout, and snook in the Flamingo area. Live bait of choice is shrimp and blue crabs. If the shrimp are too small I usually then go with soft plastic imitations. For fly-fishing shrimp patterns are usually best but even clouser minnows will take anything. Match colors according to the area that you fish frequently. Hook size will also vary according to the size of bait or lure but I use any from a standard 1/0 to a 4 offset. All hooks must be sharp! As sharp as possible.
The most important reason summer is a great time to be on the water is because school is out and so are the kids. Always take a kid fishing if you can. They won't forget the experiences and fish they catch. Get out there and see what you catch. Please visit my website and check out the new blog. Also, all charters get a FREE T-shirt (details on my website).
Capt. Ariel Cabrera
305 431-6936
www.captainariel.com
