Welcome to “SweatFest”, the annual festival no likes to celebrate! It’s 90 degree days, 75 degree nights, and high humidity, punctuated by the occasional tropical storm. The hot water and plethora of bait makes for tough conditions on the coast. Even moreso for fly anglers.
But there are some exceptions.
One of those is Spanish Mackerel. They’ll be cruising the beaches and passes now through September. Toss a Clouser Minnow or other slim-profile baitfish pattern into a school and strip fast. Hold on for a vicious strike and several leaps!
Then there’s the jack crevalle. These will be busting mullets along beaches and in bays. They love large baitfish patterns. I’ve caught them around Destin off the rock jetties and in Lake Pontchartrain from kayak. Hook one in a kayak and you’d better have your passport ready for Cuba!
For jacks, tackle requirements include a 10-weight rod or higher, a disc drag reel holding at least 200 yards of backing, and either an intermediate or sinking fly line. As with mackerel, a bite tippet of wire is necessary or one chomp and it’s over!
On the lighter side, schools of sand trout are common in July and August. A sandie in the 11 to 14 inch range hits like it’s spotted cousin, and on a 6-weight rod is as much fun as the law allows! A sparsely-dressed, size 2 white Clouser Minnow is the ticket.
Night fishing under dock lights can be very productive in late summer for sand trout, speckled trout, and even redfish. The key is a moving tide, but one that’s not too strong. Fish the edges of the light ring for best results.
If you fish during the day, remember to hydrate often. And to protect yourself from the sun’s harsh radiation – a leading cause of skin cancer. A sunscreen of UPF 50, brimmed hat, neck gaitor, long-sleeve nylon or polyester shirt and pants will protect and keep you cool enough to enjoy several hours on the water. Since best fishing times are very early and very late, use the midday to rest and tie flies. With jacks, mackerel, trout and other toothy critters, tying replacement flies is a necessary chore.
