Capt. George Tunison

What does a 40-inch backcountry snook do when the water temperature is near boiling, the sunlight is intense, there’s little tidal movement, while your lure zips by at “summer” warp speed? Probably nothing. But it’s summer and hot, their metabolisms are on high, they should be feeding like crazy! Well that’s partially true, but it’s all about timing.

Hot, shallow water has low oxygen content and the fish often respond by relocating to more desirable or comfortable areas nearer the Gulf or just shelter in place and wait for conditions to improve. Overweight, hot as blazes and can’t fully breathe, sprinting around chasing high speed lures is low on today’s list of activities for the fish. On the other hand, tossing a mullet head out to sit on bottom exuding an enticing odor might be too much to ignore and after all, there’s no chasing. Maybe put away your fast spoons and jigs and go into slow motion with a DOA Shrimp or one of its many imitators. Slow moving, suspended twitch baits like MirrOdine’s don’t require much effort to eat.

If you plan on daylight fishing this time of year, first pick an early morning with good tidal flow. Moving your operation over to the ICW (intracoastal waterway), the passes and beaches will also pay off as cooler, oxygenated water will promote feeding on these moving tides. Mixing in a morning with a light rain to oxygenate the water will only add to your success.

These last two months the fishing around Bull and Turtle bays (close to the Gulf) has been much more productive for inshore species than fishing the usual east wall areas of Charlotte Harbor. Most already know a large portion of our snook population is already on the beaches for spawning activities while offshore anglers are surprised to catch a snook of a lifetime enjoying the cooler waters, miles off the coastline on our nearshore reefs.

This is the time of year when I choose not to suffer the Southwest Florida summer sun and strictly fish the inshore night shift when the big boys and girls come out to play after hiding all day and not feeding. If you fished hurricane broken docks and structure in the day without a bite, go back at night when the tide is moving and hold on tightly to your rod. Pick one of the areas bridges and tangle with huge snook, giant tarpon or back breaking Goliath grouper under the dim lights. Much more comfortable, no heat strokes, less trips to the dermatologist and very few, if any, other anglers to bother you or the fish you’re after.

If you haven’t tried night angling, be warned as there are obvious disadvantages as well, like collisions with docks, channel markers, running aground and the chance of hitting other boats without proper lighting. If you head out after dark, know your route and slow it down. Ten to 15 extra minutes to arrive at your spot won’t kill you but a collision might. A powerful handheld spotlight will help identify unlit channel markers that pose a real danger along the way, but remember to never ever blind traffic headed your way. Again, slow down and enjoy the cool night and great fishing. One point to always remember is, be it day or night, never assume the other boats captain sees you, is sober, knows the rules of the road or has any clue what he or she is doing. Proactive, defensive driving always pays off on our highways as well as on the water, especially after dark.

This heat takes a toll on equipment. Check water levels in onboard batteries and top off with distilled water without overfilling. After trailering to the ramp, carefully feel your bearing buddies. If they’re smoking or way too hot to touch, you are already in big trouble. Wheel bearings need regular greasing and occasional replacing and are often overlooked.

Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.