Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2019 i Florida Sportsman

Thirty folks. Twelve Texans. Three from Louisiana. One each from Mississippi and ‘Bama. A lucky thirteen from Florida. That’s the “one percenters” club, commercial fishers holding at least that much of a share in the Gulf red snapper Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. A few hundred more hold less than that, but for now let’s reflect on what it means to be a one-percenter. Many of the one-percenters no doubt received their shares back in 2007, when the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) went live with the IFQ snapper program. The percentages were granted based on historical landings in the 1990s. That’s granted, as in free. Here we are, almost 30 years later: Government announces annual catch limits for snapper, guys who fished during the Clinton administration get to keep…

Plop. Plop. That’s the sound of a couple of handfuls of chopped chunks of northern mackerel hitting the smooth, flat surface of the Gulf of Mexico. I see a long row of tall condominiums off in the hazy distance as we hold our position over an artificial reef a few miles off Panama City Beach. It’s peaceful out here in the warm spring sunshine. But this calm is not going to last long. Plop. Plop. Two more loads of the smelly chum chunks hit the water. This time, one of the chunks has a special surprise concealed in the form of a strong circle hook. And then Capt. Chris Nguyen quietly says, “Get ready, here they are. Don’t set the hook—let the fish come tight and then start reeling.” But…

Biscayne Bay is not just a robust flats fishery. There’s great fishing along the bridge channels of north bay, as well as the finger channels that serve as fishy highways from the Hawk Channel patch reefs into the confines of south bay. The cuts farther south from Soldier Key to north Key Largo also hold a mixed bag. Over the years I’ve enjoyed terrific action for snappers, small grouper, jacks, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, porgies and more. Snook too, join permit and tarpon in the island cuts, particularly south of Elliot Key. Capt. Alan Sherman, Florida Sportsman Field Editor for the South region, has taken fishing families out on the bay for years and depends on the east-west finger channels that traverse the grassy flats south of Key Biscayne. But like…

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BEST BET Stay with the offshore game this month and take advantage of the opening of gag grouper season in state and federal waters. Gags in June can be rather predictable as they occupy many of the same depths as the red snapper. Remember that gag grouper must be 24 inches in total length and you are allowed two per person within your four grouper aggregate. Get Out There If you have a boat to get offshore or know a fishing buddy with such a vessel, you need to let your employer know immediately that you need the 11th of this month off. The 2019 Gulf red snapper recreational season opens June 11 and runs through July 12, with a possible fall reopening if quota is available. This season will…

BEST BET It’s this time of year around the new and full moon weeks when we will experience two natural phenomena. The shrimp flush to spawn in the Gulf is one and the other is a crab flush that moves out of Tampa Bay along the Egmont Key Ship Channel. The strong outgoing tide late in the days surrounding the new and full moons will carry “pass crabs” out of Tampa Bay. Some of these crabs are blue crabs and some are calico crabs. Both are generically called “pass crabs.” The strong currents will carry floating grass with it in tide rips creating floating mats of grass that these crabs hang on to. This is the prime forage for tarpon that stack up in the channel and the 90-foot hole…

BEST BET The mahi that have been holding from the ledge on out will start to filter into 21 fathoms this month. If you have a smaller boat, perhaps with a single engine, here’s your chance. The weedlines will start to drift into 110 feet of water, and the mahi will be with them. Keep an eye out for a rip with 76 degrees or warmer water, and set up a spread of ballyhoo. Keep an eye peeled on the bait, as sailfish will be with them. One for the Yearbook If fishing months were given superlatives like high school seniors, I’m voting June “Best All Around.” Not only does just about everything bite in June, but our seas are generally manageable, and the game can easily roll on straight…

BEST BET Okay, to be truthful, permit may never actually be your “best bet” species, no matter the situation. But from a different perspective, if you are looking for your best-bet chance to catch a permit, June in the Bahamas is tough to beat for a couple great reasons. First, the fish are abundant in a wide range of places. The Marls in Abaco, the flats on the east end of Grand Bahamas, and the west side of Andros all have lodges that can put you in the right place. Second, there is a long list of other species that are plentiful throughout the Bahamas in June, including tarpon, bonefish and barracudas on the flats, and snappers, groupers, tunas and blue marlin in deep waters. Sportfishing Riches June is a…

• Conservation, data collection and education, plus prizes and scholarships valued at nearly $500,000, makes CCA Florida STAR the state’s can’t-miss summer-long fishing competition. • Saturday, May 25 to Labor Day, September 2, 2019 • 101-day competition offers prizes in 17 divisions including tagged, non-tagged, inshore and offshore species. • Largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida • Amazing prizes for anglers of all ages and skill levels • STAR uses the social media-based event to educate the public on the importance of protecting Florida’s marine resources. • “Catch, photo and release,” format uses a smart phone app to document the catch. No need to harvest or transport fish. • Anglers have their shot at brand new boat, motor and trailer packages, cash, marine electronics, Yamaha motors, all-terrain vehicles, scholarships…

GULF COAST Season: June 11 through July 12, with a possible fall reopening if quota is available. Covers state and federal waters. Minimum Size: 16 inches total length Bag Limit: 2 per person Must Haves: To fish for red snapper and many other reef species on a private vessel, you must be able to prove you have signed up for the Gulf Reef Fish Survey (GRFS). Do so at the fishing licenses sales portal online at myfwc. com or at your local tax collector’s office. The GRFS is free; a line appears on your license (if you’re using the FWC’s Fish/Hunt FL app, you can easily and instantly add the GRFS). Signup is required of most all anglers over the age of 16—even those normally exempt from license requirements. The…

BEST BET June is still an excellent time to target tarpon in the shallows as we can get long periods of calm weather this time of year and that makes for good tarpon fishing. Tarpon are sensitive fish and changes in weather can throw them off; consistent weather translates to consistent tarpon fishing. If we are getting nice weather in June, be prepared to use lighter tackle on these fish, too. It’s later in the tarpon season, so the fish have been here for a while and they have seen a few baits and flies. Also, the water can be gin clear when the wind lays down and tarpon have great eyesight, so going with a lighter leader can be the key to success. Consistent Weather, Consistent Bite June in…

BEST BET Get sandy! The beach is alive this month. Snook are cruising the trough throughout the region as they begin their summertime spawn, a treat for light tackle and fly anglers. Small soft plastics and flies that resemble pilchards should get the bite. Tarpon “roll” into town this month, working their way up the coast on their annual migration. Early morning is the best time to look for tarpon along the beach, as they are calm and typically hanging high in the water column. When running the beach in a boat and a school is spotted, keep going past them. Get 100 yards in front of them and then stop. This will give you time to set up and not blow out the school. Jumbo bonito are often found…

BEST BET In recent years, the northern zone of the Gulf snook fishery has been moving northwards. Now, linesiders are regularly being caught as far north as Steinhatchee. And despite the state waters closure until September, they still make for some excellent catch-and-release angling. Try tossing noisy topwater plugs near structure for explosive strikes. Remember to handle these fish carefully and get them back in the water soon after landing. Double the Fun For the last few years, reef fishermen docking at Big Bend ports have had a common gripe: hordes of out-of-season American red snapper have been getting to their baits dropped in hopes of catching gag grouper. This month, things could be different, as snapper and grouper seasons overlap in the Gulf waters all along the Big Bend.…

BEST BET Red snapper opens June 11 and it’s time to put a few in the cooler. Private recreational anglers can fish in both state and federal waters but must get a Gulf Reef Fish Angler designation on their license. This can be done easily and at no charge on the FWC buy a license website. Charter vessels that only fish in state waters and do not have a federal reef fish permit can also fish this season. Red snapper are plentiful around structure in depths anywhere from 30 feet to over 100 feet. Large fish prefer larger and deeper structure. Smaller fish can be caught in shallower water and more effectively with lighter tackle. Get in Tune for June How strong are your knots? How long does it take…

Florida’s dolphin fishery is changing. Many veterans say that abundance and quality have taken a turn for the worst in recent years. More anglers are heading offshore these days and more importantly, large scale commercial longline efforts targeting dolphin have developed in the South Atlantic waters. There is currently no commercial trip limit in place, and this is allowing a directed longline effort to target the species. These extremely large catches are already affecting the quality and sustainability of the fishery. Dolphin is the top-ranked social and economic recreational fishery resource in the South Atlantic, worth nearly $300 million annually to this country. A commercial trip limit from the start of the fishing season is badly needed. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is considering new management options for dolphin…

Florida Sportsman debuted in 1969 with not a single photograph of a spinning reel in use. An advertisement for the SeaCraft 20 showed one stowed, and there was a tiny ad for a Miami firm importing the Italian-made Pescador series. Today, spinning tackle is everpresent on the Florida fishing scene. Surveys show that 98 percent of Florida Sportsman readers own and use the gear. What happened during that 50-year span? Pat Ford, a Miami attorney, photographer, and sage of the South Florida fishing scene, takes us back to the early days of saltwater spin, when the mark of success for the angler was a heavy fish on light nylon monofilament. “Mono” was still the new thing then, having been released in the late 1950s. Following Ford’s reflections and interviews, Frank…

Many marinas along the Big Bend have affiliated fishing guides, or can recommend one. Also, rental boats and lodging are available at larger marinas. Calling ahead for reservations is essential during summer months. PORT RICHEY Sunset Landing Marina (727) 849-5092 HUDSON Skeleton Key Marina (727) 868-3411 HERNANDO BEACH Hernando Beach Marina (352) 596-2952 Blue Pelican Marina (352) 610-9999 Sterling Marina (352) 596-4010 BAYPORT/WEEKI-WACHEE Weeki-Wachee Marina (352) 596-2852 HOMOSASSA MacRae’s of Homosassa (352) 628-2602 Homosassa Springs Marina (352) 628-7334 Riverhaven Marina (352) 628-5545 CRYSTAL RIVER Pete’s Pier (352) 795-3302 Twin Rivers Marina (352)795-3552 YANKEETOWN Yankeetown Marina (352) 620-4313 CEDAR KEY Cedar Key Marina II (352) 543-6148 SUWANNEE Suwannee Marina (352) 542-9159 Gateway Marina (352) 542-7349 HORSESHOE BEACH Horseshoe Beach Marina (352) 498-5405 STEINHATCHEE Sea Hag Marina (352) 498-3008 River Haven Marina…

BEST BET Calm days and nights in June are ideal for deepwater swordfishing. During the daylight hours, head offshore until your depth recorder reads 1,600 to 1,800 feet of water. That’s where these billfish live and feed. You must get your baits to the bottom during the day hours or fish your baits from the surface to about 100 feet down at night. Start your drifts well south of the port you left from or you may have a long ride back to the dock. Party Time Fishing at night is just the thing if you’re looking for a tight line, bent fishing rod, fish dinner for tomorrow and a cool breeze in your face. And a partyboat is a great place to do it. Partyboats, also called headboats because…

BEST BET Your best bet this month is to take advantage of simultaneous open seasons for three of our most popular offshore reef fish because it’ll be much easier to justify your fuel bill for a long run offshore when it’s possible to fish for red grouper, gag, and red snapper at the same time. That’ll be the case beginning on June 11, opening day of the private boat red snapper season. Deeper water is better, red snapper are possible in less than 100 feet but 120 is better and over 140 they’re pretty easy to find. Tarpon Tides Die-hard tarpon fishermen love June. There are lots of fish here, and all the different tarpon fisheries are going strong. Inlet fishing in Boca Grande Pass and Captiva Pass is what…

BEST BET For a fish fry, nothing’s better than a mess of whiting, one of the sweetest-tasting fish in the ocean. May and June is a peak time to catch the bottom-feeders along the surf. Choice locations will be the deeper surf zones at the Canaveral National Seashore south of New Smyrna Beach, Playalinda Beach east of Titusville and the public accesses between Melbourne Beach and Sebastian Inlet. Small pieces of shrimp or shrimp-scented strip baits fished on small hooks with a simple sliding-sinker rig will work. Whiting often are in the deeper troughs and runouts near the edges of the surf, so long casts are not necessary. A 7- or 8-foot river rod with 8- to 10-pound-test mono will do the trick. Whiting don’t have teeth or an abrasive…

BEST BET Make a day offshore over wrecks and reefs in 80 to 175 feet of water for snapper and grouper. Look for the bigger snapper to hold mid water and key in on larger dead baits like menhaden. The grouper will tend to hold close to the bottom and pounce on larger live baits like croakers. Stout rods and 80-pound or heavier leaders will give you the best chance at landing the big ones. Keeping a flat line out will give you good odds at a king mackerel or two. I like to use a stinger rig with 60-pound singlestrand cable and either a dead or live cigar minnow. Cobia should be on a few of the wrecks and having a jig handy can help you capitalize when one…

“I dream of having a boat, and yet I landed my best catch from shore. ” Every weekend with excitement we wait to take our rods and head out to our secret fishing spot. I have been fishing with my sons at Bill Baggs State Park for several years. I was taught by an old-timer named Carlos, who was an expert in catching permit on live crab with a surf rod. We were early this day, which was slightly overcast and windy. I methodically set out my rods and started preparing leaders while my sons caught live bait. The first hours, we had small strikes of mangroves and grunts that were undersized. We were almost ready to give up when my son caught a large mojarra. I decided there was…