Hot summer days in Central Florida are brutal, so wise anglers and the fish will take advantage of the cool nights, early morning and late evening hours to feed and stock their prey. So, adjust your routine in June, July, and August, by fishing at night, during the predawn hours, and in the late afternoon after work and reap the rewards of the summertime fishing bonanza.


Look for the tarpon and shark numbers to increase along the beach, and let us not forget about the schools of large jack carvalle and the tripletail as both fisheries are cranking up. Remember, snook season closes this week, so let’s give them a chance to relax a bit.


When the summer doldrums set in, the waters clear, and the seas flatten out, the window of opportunity opens for smaller boats, so near-shore opportunities are typically the best you’ll see all year along the beach. June is the time of year when the kingfish move in close shadowing schools of Atlantic menhaden (pogies) along the beach and in the Port Canaveral buoy line, and slow trolling live pogies can result in some outstanding catches.


Offshore, look for the dolphin bite to slow as the schools begin to spread out. The kingfish concentration will remain good along the inshore reefs and wrecks of 8A Reef and Pelican Flats, so again slow trolling with live pogies will produce the best action. Additionally, bottom fishing will remain good for snapper and grouper until the first summer squall (hurricane) blows in and muddies up the water.