PC/PCB Fishing Report 7-29-24
Surf Fishing
Redfish have crashed the party with all the rain. Perhaps a bit cooler just off the beach with clouds and rain.
Pompano have continued as well with one or two per trip. Most have been over the first bar. Use sandfleas, shrimp, and a bait enhancer like FishBites and Fishgum added to the same hook.
Early and late are best, but consider safely fishing before storms arrive at anytime!
Fish-N-Mate Rake and Spike Carrier
This easy to attach accessory will make your next trip to the beach a whole lot easier! This Rake and Spike holder fits 4 Fish-N-Mate Sand Spikes and a Fish-N-Mate Sand Flea Rake.
Bottom Fishing
Near shore red snapper catches improved greatly! The comments previously were “marking fish, but hard to get to bite!” Now they are biting better. Both live and cut bait worked. We have been getting some local caught bonita so grab one for cut bait. We also have cigar minnows, squid, and some northern mackerel since the fish decide what they want from day to day!
Mangrove snapper have been more cooperative when chummed up and fed a flat line with a chunk and complete slack in the line.
Mahi -be ready! They have been very common. Soft plastics and small pitch rigs can work well. If they stop biting and sort of follow, stop ALL fishing! Toss in very small handfuls of minced up cigar minnow, or northern mackerel. Get them feeding and flip a small piece out on a pitch rig. This technique is KILLER! Only fish 2 lines max unless it is crazy good!
Regulations changes currently :
- Amberjack open August 1st .
- RED SNAPPER CLOSE WEDNESDAY at 11:59pm
- Red snapper will reopen starting in September on the weekends through November for recreational anglers only.
- Red grouper are now closed for the rest of the year. Gag grouper will open for 2 weeks starting 9/1/24.
Nearshore Trolling
Bonita have been very present and cooperative.
King mackerel are also feeding on bait schools. As the sun comes out and up they are going deeper. Downriggers are best, but planers and deep diving plugs are next best.
Also heavy trolling lead out in front of a duster/cigar minnow by 15ft or so is a tried and true method. 3.5 to 5mph is the speed.
Pier Fishing
The king mackerel seemed to slow. Theories are that the water is a bit warm. Therefore your best time is first light. Don't sleep on a cloudy stormy day. Kings love that! Just beware of storms with lightning. Take cover sooner than later!
Some redfish have been caught. Lots of Bonita as well. Try a bubble rig! If you are unfamiliar with it, come in and ask! That is what we do! Supply you with tackle and knowledge to have a shot at a successful day. We also have rental rods if you need!
Bay Fishing
Topwater fun can be had early and late with trout and reds! Is there any better bite than that? Keep an eye on your radar since lightning has been bad of late. Try setting up a drift and avoiding constant use of the toilling motor. A live bait drifted way off the rear tends to get a big bite when drifting!
Trout are hot on the dock lights! Flatlined live baits will make your evening. Lights low on the water are best. Just outside the light silhouette are trout looking to the light. Further out may find a redfish, especially on a rising tide!
Offshore Fishing
Some full grown wahoo were reported this week! Some in the 70 plus pound range on high speed trolling lures like our Nomad MadMacs.
The fads were more miss than hit this week just a bit further out found tuna and marlin chasing baits. Nothing monstrous, more like 300lb marlin!
