Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2024 i Florida Sportsman

There are two things a fisherman needs to survive the Florida summer. One is a cheeseburger. The other is a swimming pool. Long ago, I adopted the following routine for my June through September trips: Launch an hour before sunrise. Fish till 11 a.m. or so, by which time my head is baking and my belly is rumbling. The next steps are muscle memory. I know precisely the angle at which to turn my truck and trailer through the drive-thru at Wendy’s to order a Big Bacon Classic, medium fries, Diet Coke. Okay, yeah, yeah, it’s Wendy’s. But here’s the deal: Wendy’s puts COLD lettuce and tomato on their burgers. Enjoyed immediately, it’s special. Eat 10 minutes later, it’s warm mush. Time from Wendy’s to my driveway, about 6 minutes,…

What’s the best way to run a boat at night? “Don’t.” That’s the advice I usually give to new boaters or persons fishing unfamiliar waters. If you’re out there after dark, go slow. Walk, don’t run, in other words. For all the technology that we have—from light sources to chartplotters to night-vision cameras—the consequences of the slightest mishap while running in darkness are too great to justify the time-savings. Lighted navigational markers may fail. Other boaters may not heed lighting requirements for their vessel. I could go on for pages about incidents I’ve chronicled, some resulting in boats totaled, lives lost. In short, strike a piling or vessel at planing speed and the damage will be catastrophic. That said, there are portions of the Intracoastal Waterway and other areas where…

For a limited time, use the promo code: FLORIDA30 and get a 30 day free trial of MyOutdoorTV*Offer valid for a limited time. Cannot be combined with other offers. DARK LURES FOR LOW-LIGHT DAYS THE OBSESSION OF CARTER ANDREWS SEASON 11, EPISODE 1 “WEST COAST LINESIDERS” Host Carter Andrews fishes with Capt. Matt Cowart out of Cedar Key and gets on a great snook bite in open water. Jigs with plastic tails are doing the trick, and Carter thinks today’s color choice has made the difference: “Sometimes it doesn’t matter what lure color you use, but sometimes it does,” Carter explains. “When it’s rough and overcast out like today, I like to use something darker. Black and purple is one of my first choices, like this Z-Man DieZel MinnowZ in…

I grew up with different heroes than any of my buddies. They wanted to throw a football like Bart Starr (yes, I’m that old) and I wanted to fly as many sailfish flags as Chip Shafer, the captain of the old Temptress out of Fort Pierce. You see, I caught my first sailfish in 1965, and very little else has mattered to me since. For years, I lived for the week between Christmas and New Years when the Jacksonville Offshore Sport Fishing Club would trailer their boats down to Fort Pierce where we’d pray for a break in the weather so we could go catch a few sailfish. We caught one or two a day while we watched Temptress seemingly going in reverse every 5 minutes with another one on.…

Do you remember those great commercials from the 1970s? “It’s the fishing invention of the century! Compact enough to fit in your glove compartment or your pocket! It’s rod, reel, line, bobber, hook, the whole thing!” Inventor Ron Popeil would later found Ronco and the Pocket Fisherman would be one of the company’s hottest-selling items (so popular that Popeil redesigned the product in 2006 and they are still available—I have two and use them from time to time just for fun). Needless to say, regardless of the commercials’ claims, the Pocket Fisherman—despite being loaded with Trilene XL 10-pound test—was not really the gear needed for hauling in big bluefish or bull reds. The concept of an ultra-portable fishing outfit, though, has merit. I have owned many travel rods, and I…

To all fishing families seeking an exotic destination to visit on Father’s Day, the 10,000 Islands and Everglades City area is an excellent location that offers a wide variety of sporting options for every angler. As summer temperatures rise, mangrove snapper move to nearshore and inshore waters in large numbers. Mangrove snapper are very aggressive feeders that will attack a wide range of natural and artificial baits. They can be challenging to catch, as they tend to be a bit tackle-savvy at times, but are well worth the effort when it comes to table fare. I like to look for islands with deep undercuts and areas of hard bottom. I also like islands with sharp drop-offs or troughs. As the tides move in and out, these fish will move back…

Some phenomenal fishing takes place in the West Central Region during the coming weeks. However, be aware that June 1 marks the first day of hurricane season. Fishing ahead of storms might be super productive but can also prove deadly. Know your limitations and those of your vessel. Be prepared and always leave a float plan behind. While summer doesn’t officially appear on the calendar until June 20, I can assure you there will be plenty of days when the mercury tops 90 degrees. The shallows will be most affected by climbing water temperatures, as oxygen levels drop with the rising sun. Finding shady areas or spots on the flats with water movement and some depth will usually put you in a fishy zone. Early morning topwater action can produce…

June is the best month of the year for Northeast Florida fishermen, and you can’t convince me otherwise. If you like spending time offshore, the cobia should still be around, the kings will start to show on the beach, the mahi, tuna, and wahoo will be somewhere between 130 feet and the other side of the ledge. If that’s not enough to get you interested, we should start seeing prolonged stretches of calm weather. Early in the month there will probably be a few manta rays on the beach, but there will be more cobia on pogy pods and wrecks than anywhere else. As for kingfish, the Old School Kingfish Shootout will be held on June 8 out of Saint Augustine. The format of this tournament is catching on like…

Holding themselves to a “never give up” mentality, Robert Dougherty and Capt. Nick LaBadie pushed through frustrations and fickle fish to win the 2024 March Merkin, a fly-only permit tournament held in Key West each March. “We had perfect permit fishing conditions with sunny skies and 10 to 15 mph winds,” said Capt. Nick LaBadie, who operates Tailing Water Expeditions out of Key West. “But it was tough fishing the first two days.” Dougherty, who lives in Texas, lost a fish on day one. Day two was equally unfruitful, with only one permit, which was lost to the jagged reefs. “We had plenty of close calls and great shots at tailing fish that just wouldn’t take,” said LaBadie. “Robert’s got a great cast. He’s caught permit all over, and he…

Amberjack fishing was historically the most reliable fishery for customer satisfaction during the spring,” said Capt. Jon Reynolds of Drop Back Charters, Islamorada. “An entire fleet of charterboats could go to any hump with their clients and make their day. Now, it’s hard to catch a single amberjack, even in peak season.” It’s not just a problem in the Florida Keys. Speaking with anglers and charter captains from around the state, it’s clear the absence of big amberjacks, or AJs, is across the board. “We just don’t know enough about greater amberjack,” said Sean Powers, Chair of the Marine Sciences Department at the University of South Alabama. Powers hopes to change that with the Greater Amberjack Research Program, a 2021 Congressionally authorized $11.7 million Sea Grant program designed to provide…

Tripletail is a wonderfully sweet, firm, and flaky white fish. This unique and deep-bodied pelagic species, with habitats ranging from shallow backcountry shorelines to flotsam drifting in the deep blue water of the Gulf Stream, arguably occupies the broadest range of environments among all gamefish in Florida. Tripletails are a master of disguise, sometimes confused for a floating leaf as they patiently wait to strike at small crabs, shrimp, and fish that drift by. They are fun to sight fish, put up a good fight on fly and light tackle, and are great to eat. What more can you ask of a fish? INGREDIENTS 2 lb. tripletail fillets1 egg, whisked1 ½ cup pecans1 tsp. cayenne pepper1 tbsp. ground ginger½ tsp. sea salt¼ tsp. black pepper4 tbsp. canola oil Cut the…

Seasoned mackerel fishermen believe that the rise of kingfishing at John’s Pass in Madeira Beach can be attributed to the legendary saltwater angler, Gene Turner. Turner often fished a mere 75 yards from the mouth of John’s Pass, along nearby beaches, reeling in several smoker-size king mackerel. He would castnet live baits along the beaches where greenbacks (threadfin herring) and whitebaits (pilchards) were easy to obtain. The famed Gulf Coast boat builder and his son Chris would anchor just offshore from the beaches and begin chumming up larger-than average-size kings while cutting up small greenbacks with scissors. The pieces of cut bait would create an oily slick, which eventually attracted kingfish to their hooked live baits. Keeping in mind the stomach of a king mackerel is very small, Turner did…

NEWPORT NK180PRO ELECTRIC KAYAK MOTOR With performance redefined, navigate effortlessly to your favorite fishing spots, experiencing a remarkable 16% increase in speed that not only takes you there faster but excels in all aspects of electric motor performance through the entire throttle range. The motor features 25% decrease in noise, gaining a tactical advantage without sacrificing functionality. The NK180PRO also provides a 25% increase in efficiency, extended range and reduced charging demands while maximizing your precious fishing time. The updated throttle design, now IP67 rated, offers a waterproof, intuitive interface for precise control that’ll get you to your spot and back without concern. MSRP: $999; www.newportvessels.com OUTDOOR CRATES Based in Dayton, Ohio, MTM Molded Products offers a new series of Outdoor Crates, sturdy, hard-sided storage cases in five colors: Leaf…

Summer is my favorite time of the year in the Florida Keys for many different reasons. We have calm seas, incredible underwater visibility for those who enjoy taking the plunge, and off-season crowds. June also offers some of the non-stop action that the Florida Keys is known for, with mahi, tarpon, permit, snapper and many other species available and ready to please. If there is a month that is tailor-made for Florida families to visit the Keys, look no further! Since June is considered low-season, visitors can take advantage of cheaper hotel rates and most important of all, availability. School is out, so take your kids fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, or visit one of the many popular sandbars and just chill out; whatever it takes to get them off the TV…

The summer solstice is on June 20, but many Southeast Florida anglers would agree that summer is already in full swing. Our fishery reflects this, as both resident and migratory species are where they should be. You can’t discuss inshore fishing in our region without mentioning snook. With arguably the best snook fishing in the entire state, our region really shows off this month, proving why I think it is the best game around. It’s all catch and release until August 31, as congregations of fish begin to show up around the inlets and beaches for their annual spawn. The week around the full moon is when spawning occurs, as the tide is at its strongest, facilitating optimal egg dispersal throughout the region. One bait come to mind when thinking…

Because we’re having a La Niña summer, weather predictions call for an active tropical season. The report I saw showed this has only happened 6 to 7 times in the past 45 years. So, it seems prudent to stay flexible and fish the coast on a week-by-week basis, going when the weather forecast is agreeable, rather than making long-term plans. Scallop season begins June 15 along the Big Bend, from the Suwannee to the Fenholloway River, which includes Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach. This is somewhat of a mini-season, lasting two weeks before July 1 and the main event, when the daily bag limit doubles from 1 to 2 gallons of shell per diver. For now, it’s 1 gallon each. Combine that with a friend or two’s catch, and you’ve still…

Redfish and trout have long been the backbone of inshore fishing in Northwest Florida. They both have had lures designed specifically to catch them and tournaments held in their honor. In fact, it would be hard to design two fish species that are better suited for such a wide variety of anglers. While both gamefish numbers have had their ups and downs, effective fisheries management has maintained a stable population. Redfish tend to congregate in areas where tidal creeks, springs, and rivers intersect, forming oyster habitats through the mix of salt and freshwater. These habitats teem with minnows, crabs, shrimp, and an array of marine life, drawing redfish and other predators to these prime locations. St. Marks sits at the heart of this rich habitat, extending for miles on both…

JUNE JUNE 1: Blue Water Open, Sebastian. www.fishingforcharity.org/bluewateropen JUNE 2-4: Tarpon Fly Invitational, Pineland. 954.661.8145 JUNE 3-7: Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada. www.guidestrustfoundation.org JUNE 7-9: Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament, Little Torch Key. www.lowerkeyschamber.com JUNE 7-9: Flora-Bama Annual Fishing Rodeo, Perdido Key. www.florabama.com JUNE 7-9: Old School Kingfish Shootout, St. Augustine. www.oldschoolkingfish.com JUNE 11-13: Ladies Tarpon Fly Tournament, Islamorada. www.ladiestarponfly.org JUNE 12-16: Pensacola International Billfish Tournament, Pensacola. www.pbgfc.com JUNE 13-16: Saltwater Slam, Pompano Beach. www.bluewatermovements.com JUNE 14-16: VFW Fishing Tournament, Key West. www.vfw3911.com JUNE 17-21: Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada. www.goldcuptt.com JUNE 19-23: Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, Miramar Beach. www.fishecbc.com JUNE 20-22: UM Hall of Fame & Museum Celebrity Fishing Tournament, Islamorada. www.canesfish.com JUNE 20-22: Old Salt Ladies Fishing Tournament, Madeira Beach. www.oldsaltfishing.org JUNE 22-23: Bass…

Fly fishers today have the best lines ever designed. Benefitting from years of refinements by line manufacturers, you can head to the water confident that your fly line will turn that fly over and you’re in business, right? Not if your leader kills the deal because it’s poorly tapered, or not appropriate for the rod or the fly you’re casting. The leader is very important. Today’s commercial extruded (knot-less) leaders are a decent option, much improved over earlier offerings. If you prefer to build your own leaders, you have to know the basics. A poorly built leader will interrupt the transfer of rod energy from the tip of your flyline to your fly. There are many scenarios where multi-section, tapered leaders excel. One is sight fishing on shallow flats where…

Dogs are sportsmen’s best friends—assets beyond belief; whether they are retrievers that sit quietly and patiently in the blind awaiting the chance for a plunge into cold waters, or upland dogs that race over wide swathes of territory to come to an abrupt and steadfast point, or flushers that send the game into the air. They are our partners and friends, a joy to watch in action. However, talking about action, does the season ever strike you as being markedly short? What excitement is there for your dog(s) the rest of the year? There are probably hundreds of ways to keep dogs engaged, fit, and happy. The following are a few undertakings I’ve employed so my dogs stay enthused and exercised throughout the off-season. As delicious as ducks, snipe and…

Florida’s shores are known for their bird diversity, from more than a dozen species of slender wading birds to the impressive size of brown and American white pelicans. Whenever you’re out on the water, follow these five tips to keep you—and the birds—happy and healthy across fishing seasons. 1 Don’t feed birds. Birds that associate people with food will come too close, risking entanglement. Moreover, bait and gutted fish can hurt or even kill them, especially if bones are exposed. Keep bait buckets covered. Note: Unattended rods and bait attract birds too—stay near your gear. 2 Avoid casting near birds. Just like the predatory fish that you’re trying to catch, seabirds often go after injured fish in the school and will mistake your rig for their next meal. These birds…

Flamingo in Everglades National Park has long held a cherished spot in my heart. It was my father who first brought me to this magical place when I was just 9 years old. Someone had mentioned to my dad about a fishing hole that was remote, untouched by recreational fishermen, and was truly a light-tackle fisherman’s dream come true. Speckled seatrout in schools that seemed endless, tailing reds and snook, giant tarpon, and so many sheepshead. The journey from Miami can be as short as 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, though it may take a bit longer if there is heavy traffic. In my childhood memories, upon entering the park, the first thing you encountered was a rugged, gravel dirt road. The ride in the park was always…

June is a wonderful month to cast a line in Southwest Florida. We are close to the dog days of summer, but not quite there yet. Afternoon thunderstorms will be in play now, but not like they will be next month. Our winds will typically be light during the morning hours, making the early runs pleasant. The consistency of weather makes planning fishing trips much easier, especially for those running offshore. Our back bays and nearshore waters have plenty of options ranging from large gamefish like tarpon, all the way down to those wanting consistent action with smaller fish like trout, jacks, and snapper. The back bays continue to produce the inshore slam of snook, redfish, and trout. Nearshore, it will be a tarpon, permit, and cobia slam. Finally, those…

By June, the barrage of springtime wind and foul weather on the Space Coast has usually run its course and gentle weather patterns afford more opportunities to fish. Threadfin herring start schooling up outside Sebastian Inlet, feeding on plankton which thrive around the nutrient-rich confluence of estuarine and ocean water. On outgoing tides, these 6-inch baitfish will filter feed along the tideline where brown water meets blue. Predators use this curtain of dark water to ambush prey. Troll deep-diving plugs, spoons, or better yet freshly caught live baits along this color change for kingfish, bonito, big jacks, blacktips and the very occasional cobia. To catch threadfins, a No. 4 sabiki rig with green highlights is best. As the month progresses, the threadfin schools begin spreading south into the 15- to…

The roads and beaches are packed, which is all the more reason to load up the boat and get on the water. The best part about summer is the amount of fishing opportunities; sometimes the hardest part of the day is choosing what you are going to target and how you would like to do it. Inshore, just about everything is on the table. Bull redfish will be under bridges, near jetties, and schooled up on the beach while your slot reds and speckled trout will be active on the grassflats and residential docks. When fishing a grassflat, it helps to have an elevated perch to really see and understand the contour that makes up the flat. Focusing on the potholes or the depth changes throughout the flat can drastically…