By Capt. Charlie Conner    Posted 6.26.09

So the song says.....Feelin' Hot - Hot - Hot! That sorta sums up the weather around the Treasure Coast this week. Getting out early in the mornings or late in the evenings has a more profound meaning lately around here. Look out for afternoon thunderstorms this time of year, too. The best bite will be at first light or late evening as things ease off a bit. It's summertime!

July brings hot weather, afternoon rains and Fourth of July parties. Oh....and lots of great fishing out there,too! Mornings on the river will bring action at first light on top water lures for snook or trout on the flats. They will seek deeper water as the sun rises. I will be fishing along the mangroves for snook with jigs, twitch baits and spoons where the water will be 2-3 feet deep. Trout will move to deeper flats in 2-6 feet of water and will most likely hit pinfish, pigfish or live shrimp. Redfish will continue to hold up on the flats, but more scattered. As the water heats up, move to deeper cuts on the flats for them. Gold spoons, soft baits, like DOA shrimp or CAL jerk baitsor cut bait will work best for them. Search along the docks during the day for snook or redfish hanging around there.
Bridges will be producing snapper, drum and sheephead during July. Live or dead shrimp will be hard for them to resist. Watch the tides and fish the slower sides of them for best results. Whiting will continue to be in the surf with the occasional bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Sharks will be patrolling along the beach also.

Areas to fish in the river for July: Bear Point, Queen's Cove and Round Island. South of Harbor Branch will be a great area to work for trout in the mornings before the sun heats up things. The flats in front of the power plant taper off to 3-5 feet and will be holding trout during the day. Live pigfish are the favorite food for trout this time of year. Try a DOA Deadly Combo during the day also for trout. The west shore down there will be good areas to search out redfish. Channel edges will be yielding snapper on structure. Tripletail should be around channel markers and pilings to the south towards Jensen Beach. Don't forget dock fishing during the mid-day hours.

Tip of the Month:
With the heat of summer upon us, make sure you have a plan for an emergency. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion is always a possibility when out on the water.

SIGNS:
Heat exhaustion:
Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

Heat stroke:
Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

TREATMENT:
Heat exhaustion:
Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.

Heat stroke:
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

Check out the Red Cross web site for more information: www.redcross.org

Howard Watson proves that early mornings with a top water lure can coax a hungry trout into striking.

As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!