On the Water: June fishing – warm, sunny days with thunderstorms likely
Warm sunny days with calm seas followed by afternoon thunderstorms is our typical weather pattern for June as summer sets in. Although Southwest Florida is rapidly growing, you notice a big decline of boaters and anglers over the next several months.
As far as fishing goes, there will be good days and bad ones; strong tide days should give you the best opportunities. With the summer heat the bite is often better early and late in the day, however, be aware of thunderstorms in the afternoons.
If you have the opportunity, fishing after a late day thunderstorm is often good once the storms pass. However, we have very nasty and dangerous thunderstorms, do not put yourself or others at risk if lightning is in the area.
Tarpon fishing is in full swing throughout the month. Fishing around the full and new moon tides may give you the best shot at conquering the silver king. Warm water brings a lot of sharks to our coast, if you want to battle a big fish and avoid the tarpon crowds this may be for you. Anchoring up with fresh bait soaked on bottom or under a float while waiting in the shade with a cool beverage is relaxing and productive. Do not be surprised if you hook a tarpon though!
If you are looking to bring home dinner, snapper may be your best bet. Decent size mangrove snappers are moving inshore as well as the gulf passes. Large mangrove snapper, plus grunts and other bottom dwellers, are often plentiful in gulf waters within sight of land over hard bottom and reefs. Shrimp, squid and small pinfish or pilchards are candy to snapper, but you need to remember they have keen eyesight and easily become leader shy. If the water clarity is good, dropping down to 10 or 12-pound fluorocarbon leader may be necessary to fool the larger fish. A fresh block of chum also helps with the bite, especially offshore.
The best snook fishing through the summer months is in and near the gulf passes and islands. Snook may range in size from fish under 20 inches to big females over 40inches. This is their mating season with large schools of fish found along the beaches and nearby structure with strong tide movement. If they’re active and hungry they will pounce on a variety of baits (with live the top choice), if not, they can be difficult to entice.
With warm water and high tides, under the shade of mangrove shorelines and structures such as docks and piers are the place to hunt redfish. Live bait, cut bait and lures all work, just some better than others at different times. Many anglers prefer to soak a smelly cut bait on bottom and let the scent bring in the fish. It works great for redfish, and often snook and trout, just be prepared to unhook a number of catfish.
Seatrout, another tasty in-shore fish, is plentiful and found throughout the inshore waters. Most are caught over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water. Fishing over grass flats one can expect a mixed bag, including ladyfish, mackerel, jack crevalle, sharks, bluefish and other species. The best trout action occurs before the midday sun heats up the shallow water. It’s possible to hook seatrout on a variety of lures and live baits.
Inshore and nearshore, anglers can expect Spanish mackerel and cobia. In the gulf, fishing around reefs is the best bet. Inshore, near the gulf passes and deeper grass flats. Watch for birds as they are following bait schools as are the cobia and mackerel.
If you’re making a day off it, as the midday heat sets in, it is the perfect time to head to one of our beautiful beaches for a swim and picnic lunch. This is also a great time to cool off while wetting a line and get into some good catch-and-release snook action as schools are working up and down the surf. If a picnic lunch is not your thing, you can drop in to one of the many great island restaurants accessible to boaters for a freshly prepared meal and beverages.
As we enter summer, many anglers, including me, prefer to get an early start and back to the dock before the midday heat sets in. If you fish all day or only a few hours, bring plenty of water and drink often to stay hydrated. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment on a hot day and before you realize it you are past the point of return.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at: www.myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish.
If you turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location. In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service — call or text 239-410-8576; website at www.fishpine island.com; or email gcl2fish@live.com
Have a safe week and good fishin’
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for over 20 years.