There are numerous variables that will affect our fishing in August. Low-pressure systems and the seemingly never-ending Red Tide are two of the most pressing.
The next two months are traditionally the busiest for low-pressure systems, and there won't be much fishing when there are strong winds surrounding such a system in the gulf. We can only monitor each storm as they head toward us, then fish around all the turmoil.
After each storm expect a good shuffling of fish. Hurricane Dennis brought American red snapper into depths that we haven't seen in years. Last week our shallowest catch of red snappers was in 85 feet. Other reports said the fish, normally found only in deep water far off the bay area coast, were common even further out. Many of the red snapper were 5- to 6-pounders.
Yellowtail snapper are starting to show up on many of the same spots as the red snapper. You can thank the southerly flow of wind associated to recent past storms for the yellowtails' unusual arrival.
The Red Tide has haunted Sarasota County since winter, and the bar area the past few months. We hoped Hurricane Dennis would break it up, but we weren't that lucky, and we ended up with Red Tide pushed into our area from Sarasota when Dennis' southerly winds blew our way. And Red Tide was pushed into Pasco County. Strong winds and cool weather are our only hopes to cause the algae bloom to subside.
We have been running a 30 miles west to escape the strangling Red Tide. After clearing the tainted water you will notice many signs that it is time to start fishing. The first sign is being able to breath easier as the water clears. The absence of dead fish on the surface, others go.
We like to cut the tail off the big cigar minnows, then sending them to the bottom. Their quivering motion is different from other baitfish and often interests a big grouper. Often a big mangrove snapper will inhale these wounded cigar minnows.
The upcoming full moons in the next two months have many of the bigger mangrove snapper schooling up. Last week we caught mangroves as large as 7 pounds. When they were found schooling, we dispersed small chunks of Spanish sardines until the curious snappers ventured up from the deep. We used straight 20-pound monofilament and a 1/0 hook buried in a chunked sardine.
The key to our success was letting the hooked chunk of sardine drift with the other chunks thrown over. Mangrove snapper have good vision and always seem to look for a reason not to bite a hook. Proper presentation is imperative with all snappers.
Bottom line: If you can deal with the hurricanes, Red Tide and August heat, it can be a productive month.
Dave Mistretta captains the Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call 727 595-3276, e-mail jawstoo@msn.com or see www.jawstoo.com
