With heavy rain and possible damage from Hurricane Charley, most folks probably are not thinking about fishing. Even when the weather subsides after a strong storm, there are reasons to be careful on the water. Trees, pilings and even swamped vessels could be scattered about murky areas previously safe to navigate.
As things begin to clear, savvy fish hunters will make a mental note ofnew submerged trees and other debris as possible fishing spots. Even those in shallow water could become havens. On the reverse side, there's a chance some of our more established wrecks and artificial reefs could be dislodged or disappear with a hurricane of Charley's strength.
During Hurricane Andrew, divers reported that nearly all of the wrecks in less than 130 feet of water off Miami were moved or damaged. Some had disappeared, others were transplanted over 100 yards. Another commercial diver reports that the wreck of a large longline boat at 130 feet off the Gulf Coast that was a favorite spearfishing spot never was found again after the "Storm of the Century" in 1993.
Yet another possibility is the unusually good grouper fishing as things settle down.
Anglers from the Panhandle reported grouper catches bordering on the bizarre immediately after several hurricanes. Anglers suddenly were catching large fish not only inshore but well up into the bays.
Many of these grouper were in the 30- to 40-pound class, and some were even being landed from bridges and piers. Charter operators reported the best catches many had ever experienced.
The reason for movement of the grouper from deep water toward shore with the storm is unexplained.
Following periods of heavy rain, places where the freshwater pours into the saltwater can become hot spots for snook and juvenile tarpon. These fish have a high tolerance for freshwater and will set up feeding stations at spillways, large drainage pipes and other areas of high-water flow. Most of the time, the fish will sit along the edges of the swirling water, darting in and out to pick off shiners, tilapia and bluegill.
By casting a lure into turbulent water that imitates a lost baitfish, you should hook up within a few casts. Some of these spots hold small snook, 5 inches, while others will have large and small ones.
The same scenario plays out in freshwater lakes. Just about anywhere large amounts of water pour into a lake, bass will congregate to feed. Artificial baits are the easiest to use, but large live shiners always are the best bet when it comes to catching big fish.
As the rain continues to swell rivers, resident tarpon that typically spend most of their time well inland will move closer to the mouth.
This can provide great action for the 5- to 25-pound "blackwater" fish. They most often are found in highly tannic stained water, to which they adapt a dark color on their backs to blend in from above. Some develop a gold tint to their normally silver sides.
Mornings almost always are the best time to find these great fighters, as they gently roll at the surface. Live sardines or small pinfish account for most, with a few taken on soft plastic jigs or even minnow imitating flies.
