The ocean water temperature is finally getting back to normal. At last report from Flagler Beach Bait and Tackle at the pier the water temp is back up into the low 80’s and the king mackerel are back and biting. No tarpon yet or any signs of menhaden. There is still a slight chance that the tarpon may appear before the fall run starts at the end of August.
However, tarpon are all over the areas inshore waters. Tarpon are rolling in the Tamoka basin and river, the Flagler Beach canals, Sea Ray canal, Palm Coast canals and the flats north of the 206 Bridge in St. Johns County. How long will they stay around? Who knows, but take advantage of this fishery while it’s here. Last year I caught tarpon up until Dec. 8th.
What are these tarpon hitting on, a number of things. Live bait is always a good bet. Live shrimp, mullet, pinfish or small menhaden. Artificials such as topwaters, soft plastic jerk baits and diving plugs will work. If your tossing flies, try a tarpon bunny or something in a purple/black that imitates a mullet. You also might want to try using an intermediate fly line.
I haven’t been able to do much in the way of trout but the snook are all over the area. I’ve been getting reports of snook stacked under the docks in the Palm Coast canals and the lighted docks at night along the Intracoastal Waterway. I can tell you this much, a snook can’t pass up a freelined live shrimp. On a recent trip I had clients that hooked up with 5 snook and landed two. One was so big it broke 10 lb test braided line. They wound up landing 2, a 6 ½ lb and a 20” and the other 2 they lost were larger than 6 ½ lbs.
What type of bait to use for snook? Like I said a live shrimp is probably the best bet. Topwater plugs are good early in the morning and again in the evening. As the day wears on try using plugs that swim lower in the water column like a catch 2000 or a mirrolure 17 MR.