HOT WEATHER FISHING

                August is when we go from windy and hot to very hot and wishing for wind.  The fish and the bait they feed on, will adjust to the changed conditions and so must the fisherman.  Increased water temperatures mean fishermen need to be where the fish want to be – in cooler and more oxygenated water, moving water, whether tide or wind-driven.  More oxygen equals more fish.  Fish will be deeper and over softer, mud bottoms because the water there will stay cooler.  Early mornings, fish may still move to shallow water since shallow water cools off more during the night, but they won’t be far from deeper water and they won’t stay long after sun up. 

                Piggy perch will replace croaker as the favorite choice for August and September trout.  Piggy perch can be fished in deeper mid-bay reefs, near gas wells, cuts and guts with moving water and shorelines with deep water drop-offs. 

                Bait fish will be leaving the back lakes due to increasing temperatures.  Redfish will follow them and begin schooling up on outside shorelines.  Thus they will be more accessible to everyone, not just those with air boats.  Redfish will bite croaker, piggy perch, shrimp, mullet and crab but we catch more of them on cut bait such as mullet, skipjack and menhaden.  Redfish will also hit a wide assortment of lures in many different colors.  I prefer wading for redfish with top water lures or soft plastics.  They seem to be especially fond of scented soft plastics.

                The surf will be good fishing throughout August and September.  If you are boating and the waves are down, you can go out through the jetties and fish back near the shore in the first three guts.  Generally, the second bar and gut out from the shore is most productive.  BUT –surf fishing from a boat is not for beginners.  A good anchor is essential.  In the surf you must monitor the weather closely since summer storms can get between you and the way home.