By Capt. John Rivers Posted 6.26.09

Is the sun getting closer or what? With 105-to 110-heat indexes and humidity levels near or over 85 %, this is one crazy summer. The only thing making the heat somewhat bearable is that the fishing is hotter than ever.
Since it starts to really heat up around 10am most mornings, I’m only running 4 hr inshore trips and my nearshore trips are staying right around 5 hrs. With the nearshore bite being so good, it’s really not taking long to get my limit of snappers, and we still have time to hook up a few kings, too. Some of my latest trips have yielded some big fish. Today, June 19th, we put 2 snapper in the boat near 10 lbs each, a monstrous flounder, and a nice king.

Inshore, the trout bite on the flats is not as crazy as it was last month, but it’s still pretty good. If trout fishing is your thing, then I suggest starting out around 5am and stopping around 9am. Start out pitching a top-water MirrOlure Jr. and then switch over to a MirrOdine 17MR. I have several favorite colors that work well, so pick out a few of your own and see what works best for you. I have found that the trout cannot resist these life-like lures. Also, if you take the time to catch some small live pinfish and put them under a popping cork, you will most definitely put a few more trout in the boat or into the ice chest for a cookout.

In and around the pass, I’ve seen large schools of Spanish mackerel nearly every morning around 6am. Also mixed in with the Spanish are bluefish and ladyfish. Slow trolling a two-hook speck rig will keep the younger anglers busy reeling these fun-fighting fish. Out near the Massachusetts, there are also large schools of Spanish. These Spanish are running a little bigger than usual it seems. I like slow trolling a spoon with either a treble hook or a single hook. Mann’s makes a spoon that’s made of lead and is painted like different baitfish. It comes in different sizes and they work great for Spanish. While trolling these lures you will surely hook a few hard tails, bluefish and even a few fun-jumping skipjacks.

Also around the Mass’, I’m seeing some schoolie kings, but be ready as you could hook up with a smoker. Last year I hooked my biggest king at the Mass’; it was a whopper at 40+lbs. Continuing a little farther offshore around the # 3 - #4 buoys, large amounts of bait can be found hanging out as well as large schools of Spanish. I’m also catching quite a few kings on light tackle.

Summer is here, and the temperature and the fishing are red hot, so start out early, drink plenty of water, and don’t forget the sunscreen. Also, remember to only keep what you’re going to eat and release the rest for future generations.

Till the next report, here’s wishing you tight lines.

Capt. John
Email = megabitecharters@cox.net
www.megabiteinshore.com