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THE REEF DONKEY
AFTER DARK OFFSHORE ACTION
LOCAL REPORTS & CATCH PHOTOS
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHELSEA MANN FB: @CHELS.ANA.4321 / IG: @CHELS_CHELS28 VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 377
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AUGUST 2026
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4 NATIONAL
AUGUST 2026
tina Georg e
F
ishing for greater amberjack— By CAM Staff a!ectionately known as “reef donkeys” or “AJs”—is one of saltwater angling’s most grueling and rewarding challenges. These hard-fighting predators are famous for their sheer strength, blistering runs, and ability to test both angler and tackle to the absolute limit. Greater amberjack are structure-oriented predators that primarily inhabit o!shore waters. They congregate around deep wrecks, artificial reefs, oil rigs, and steep rocky ledges. Adult amberjacks can exceed 60 pounds, though common catches range from 20 to 40 pounds. Because they are competitive and aggressive, they often hunt in packs, making them highly receptive to fast-paced fishing tactics. Due to the amberjack’s habit of diving straight into sharp structure when hooked, you cannot use light tackle. Anglers typically rely on heavy-action conventional or spinning gear. Use a heavy 6-foot (or shorter) rod paired with a high-capacity reel. The shorter length gives you better leverage to turn the fish’s head away from the reef. Spool up with a minimum of 50 to 80 lb. braided line, connected to a heavy 80- to 100-lb. monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. Whether you are drifting over the deep wrecks of the Gulf of Mexico or fishing o! the Atlantic coast, the two most e!ective methods are live baiting and vertical jigging. Live bait is often the most productive method for targeting the largest amberjacks. Prized baits include blue runners, hardtails, pinfish
EDIT: Chris
TIPS FOR CATCHING GREATER AMBERJACK
PHOTO CR
Taming Reef Donkeys
and cigar minnows. Rig your bait using a heavy circle hook (7/0 to 10/0 depending on the bait size) and drop it down into the lower third of the water column just above the submerged structure. Pro anglers often clip the tail of a lively baitfish so it doesn’t swim away too quickly, making it an easy target. If you prefer an active fishing style, heavy metal jigs (4 to 10 ounces) are incredibly e!ective. Butterfly jigs and traditional diamond jigs mimic the frantic movement of injured baitfish. Drop the lure to the bottom and rapidly reel it upward using a jerking, pumping motion. Amberjacks react intensely to speed and competition, so a fast, erratic retrieve often triggers a violent reaction strike. Hooking an amberjack is only half the battle; bringing it to the surface is the real test! When hooked, the “reef donkey” will immediately bolt straight down toward the safety of the wreck or reef. If they reach the structure, your line will be sliced on sharp metal or rocks. You must apply heavy drag and use a “lift and reel” technique, steadily pumping the rod and winding quickly to force the fish upward. To protect greater amberjack from overfishing, they are strictly regulated. These rules depend entirely on whether you are fishing o! the Gulf Coast or the Atlantic Coast. The Gulf population is heavily managed due to low stock numbers. For 2026, recreational harvest in the Gulf opens for 43 days, running from September 1 through October 14, 2026. Fish must be a minimum of 34” fork length (measured from the tip of the jaw to the center fork of the tail). Anglers are strictly limited to 1 fish per person, per day. Captain and crew on charter boats have a bag limit of zero. The Atlantic coast o!ers longer open windows but a di!erent sizing scale. Harvest is open most of the year but features a mandatory spawning closure from April 1 through April 30.The minimum size drops to 28” fork length. The limit mirrors the Gulf at 1 fish per person, per day. Before heading out, check your state’s licensing requirements and rules for specific reef-fishing gear to improve fish survival rates after release such as non-stainless steel circle hooks, dehooking device and a rigged, readyto-use venting tool or descending device to safely handle fish experiencing barotrauma.
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EDISTO FISHING FORECAST
Capt. Ravenel's Report by Capt. Justin Ravenel, Contributing Writer
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ugust is here already and the fishing has been amazing this summer! Big Jacks and Tarpon have been on the docket. These titans are hungry for live bait and there is plenty of it to go around. Often my clients ask what the best bait to buy from the store and I tell them none of it. Instead I recommend they buy a cast net and catch some mullet, shrimp or the gold standard for summer, Pogies. Now depending on where you grew up they may be referred to as Bunker but the real name is menhaden. They are the most commercially fished species in the ocean due to their oily anatomy. They are harvested for everything from fertilizer to fish oil supplements right on down to bait used by commercial crabbers. However I use them for tarpon and bull red bait. I can’t speak for other states on the east coast but in South Carolina the live bait menu changes throughout the year. Most of the winter, (Nov.-March) when the bulk of the live bait has left the creeks you can get away with fresh shrimp form the market. When the water starts to warm up and the mullet begin to return I transition to live or “fresh” cut mullet. Next up would be starting around late April to mid-May the pogies start to show up and it’s time to switch to using them. This process is fairly straight forward; look for diving pelicans and throw a fast sinking cast net right there. Once done correctly it should be hard to lift the net due to the enormous catch. Now to better understand what’s happening during this process you need to know what and why the bait are on top. Typically it’s one of three reasons if not all at the same time. Pogies are filter feeders; they swim around with their mouths open eating phytoplankton. Typically the bulk of the plankton grows right at the surface due to it needing to use photosynthesis. Next up is the need for oxygen that’s most abundant right at the surface of the water column when the water temp is hot. Last up is defense; they have no teeth or spines or any means of defending themselves from attack so they seek safety in numbers. When large predators are attacking from below they will group up and swim to the surface where “in theory” they can only be attacked form one side, the bottom. Tell that to the pelicans though haha! These pogies vary in size from 3 inches to nearly a foot long. Depending on the size I get I might cut them up and send the smaller ones straight to the bottom. Or, if they are large I will free line them alive out the back of the boat and wait for big jack and tarpon to slam them. If you are planning on keeping them alive you’ll need a powerful live well pump, at least an 1100 GPH or higher preferably. They require a ton of fresh oxygen to survive and ample room so forget the bait bucket. I tend to avoid the issue or prolonging their life for too long by typically fishing right where I caught them. Most of the large sport fish that I’m after in the summer months spend a lot of their time simply following these schools of bait around so when you find the bait you find the fish. I would like to close out by bringing something else to light as well. Like I mentioned earlier, these are the most sought after fish in the ocean and they are definitely being over fished. What can you do about it on a personal level? Well, typically when you cast your net in the right spot you’ll bring up anywhere from 50 to 100 of these things.
There is no way you need all of that for s ingle outing. Keep 12 -15 for the live well, throw the same amount in a bucket for chum then throw all the rest back into the water. Maybe you need a little more or a little less than that but if you find yourself dumping tons of dead pogies in the water at the dock or the landing when you are finished for the day then you may need to use a little less next time. Captain Justin Ravenel 843-864-5056 RavenelFishingCharters.com EdistoDolphinTours.com Facebook: "Ravenel Fishing Charters" Instagram: @justin_ravenel
OFFSHORE REPORT
Beating the Heat
by Captain Mike Able, Contributing Writer
B
y this time of year the heat has really settled in so I want to share with you a few tips of beating the heat and increasing your chances of more successful fishing trips on the water in Charleston! Especially for catching fish in the shallow creeks of the Lowcountry it is extremely important to start fishing early mornings! Early mornings unfortunately do not start at 9am. By that time the bite could be half over. I really recommend getting on the water by 6am and ideally being at your fishing spot by then. A half of a degree water temperature can make all the difference in the world when fishing shallow bodies of water! What would be even better is if you had a low incoming tide because that ocean water can be slightly cooler, not to mention the water cooled off some when the sun went down the night before! You will still have your good, better, and best days early but the big thing that may change that would be what tide cycle you are on. Despite that, I guarantee you that the bite will be better early and you won’t regret waking up so early! Being that you got an early start you could fish for trout, reds, and flounder in a couple different ways. They are more likely to hit baits higher in the water column, even topwater plugs. A Heddon Super Spook Jr is a great topwater bait for all species really, and offers explosive action. If you haven’t gotten accustomed to working an artificial bait you could use a float rig or bobber with live shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows under the float. Drifted down a grass edge or a dock will surely get you bites! Another good guarantee is an artificial shrimp under a popping cork. Take your favorite float and add three feet of twenty pound flourocarbon to it. Then tie on one of your favorite artificial shrimp such as a Z-Man or DOA. This rig popped along the grass line is another sure-fire way to catch fish. As the sun starts to rise your baits really need to drop. You may notice that the topwater bite slowed or maybe you aren’t catching as many fish on the live bait float rig. This would be a good indication to drop baits in the water column. I’d try removing the float from your artificial rig and letting the shrimp sink all the way to the bottom. If worked slow enough, you’ll likely catch trout just as it gets close to or on the bottom. Another method would be using a carolina rig. This is simply an egg weight on your main line, that comes down to a swivel, leader and hook. Same live baits would apply on this rig as well. I have seen it many times, fishing over a sandbar in 6-8’ of water where I would work a float over the bar and not get bit, but then lay a carolina rig with the same type live bait and get bites. That was the difference of fishing later in the day and still trying to use a float when the temperature got up. Those couple of feet of positioning your bait can make all the difference. Tarpon, jack crevalle, sharks, and bull reds are another species to transition to as the day gets later and you don’t want to quit fishing! Deeper water fisheries do better in the midst of all this heat! Many of these species will be found in fifteen plus feet of water and closer to the ocean. Most anglers are using live or dead bait to target these guys, and they are often targeted in the same areas. Usually if you are tarpon fishing, you are “shark and bull redfishing" too. Requiring bigger gear and tackle, and sometimes boat, you can set yourself up in ambush points such as jetties or sandbars and get ready for a huge fight! Sailfishing we will go! By now most of the offshore trolling bite has come and gone, but not all! The sailfish bite has been steady through July and we hope it continues, especially for the September/ October fall bite. You will still find some blue marlin and mahi mahi around too! The ledge area is going to hold a good wahoo and tuna bite as well. This is another time of year where we see anglers focus change from trolling to bottom fishing or sword fishing, and for good reason! So if you are still itching to get in the ocean don’t hesitate to do a combo trolling and sword fishing day! Jigging the deeper water bottom structure can also be another hit! While we hope the bite is hot for you, we also want you to stay cool and healthy! Hydration really starts a day or two ahead so if you know you’re going to be outside fishing for the full day, start hydrating ahead of time. I always cover up, as to not get sunburn and keep cool. A straw hat can be very helpful as well as wearing Anetik brand clothing. It’s something we carry in the shop and I wear it all the time now! The coolest shirt material out there! Don’t forget to either dip your hat, buff, bandana or anything in the cooler and lay around your neck to keep body temp down! And if you have to, jump in the water or go for a boat ride and get some air flow! Stay in touch via social media and checking our website for upcoming events and sales! Hopeyou had a great summer and tight lines!
2 LOWCOUNTRY
AUG 2026
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Capt Mike Able, CCA SC State Board Member Haddrell’s Point Tackle & Supply Since 1983 843-881-3644(Mt Pleasant) 843-573-3474(West Ashley)
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AUG 2026
LOWCOUNTRY 3
FISHING FORECAST
Folly Beach Pier by Jacob Cynar, Contributing Writer
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ugust is here and the summer heat is not going anywhere. Air temperature in August can range from the mid-80s to the mid-90s. The water temperature in August usually is around 85 degrees. This means that fish will more likely be sitting at the bottom of the water column. Fish like black drum, spotted sea trout, and sheepshead are typically caught off the pier in August. Florida Pompano and some smaller spadefish visit the pier in August thanks to the warm water and can be caught in the surf near the pier pilings. At the pier we typically recommend a simple 2-hook surf rig for any casual angler looking to catch anything; however, experienced pier anglers are able to adjust their tackle and bait to target specific species. Sheepshead are unique fish, both in the way they look and the way they eat. Sheepshead have human-like teeth that they use to scrape barnacles and other prey off of the pier pilings. They are often picky eaters and are notorious for stealing bait. Anglers targeting sheepshead will usually use a smaller hook setup on a Carolina rig and for bait will usually use fiddler crabs, something the fish is likely to prey on. The anglers will drop their rigs to get as close to the pier pilings as possible and will keep an eye out for even the slightest bump. Spotted sea trout are one of my favorite fish to catch off the pier and many anglers target them. Anglers will typically bring out a popping cork with about an 18” or 24” leader. An artificial shrimp lure or live shrimp is my go-to. By working the popping cork, you can mimic the sound of bait fish and draw the attention of the trout. This setup works near the pilings of the pier with an incoming tide. Trout are really fragile fish so if you do catch one and plan on releasing it, it needs to be done quickly. The Pier Gift Shop has everything you need for a successful day of fishing. When you stop by, check out our Summer Challenge leaderboard. This is a summer-long tournament for who can catch the biggest of specific fish. Our regular Cast Off Fishing tournament will resume on September 12th. Our June tournament was one of the best we have had here at the pier! One angler reeled in 6lbs 10.24oz Black Drum and had a combined bag of 16lbs 8.56oz! We still have two more opportunities to dance the night away at our Moonlight Mixer events. The dates for the mixers are August 21st and September 18th. However you choose to enjoy the pier, we hope you'll come out and see us soon!
4 LOWCOUNTRY
AUG 2026
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Jacob Cynar, Operations Manager II Folly Beach Fishing Pier 101 E Arctic Ave, Folly Beach, SC 843-762-9516 • ccprc.com
cast off fishing tournament MOUNT PLEASANT PIER SEPTEMBER 19 OCTOBER 17
FOLLY BEACH PIER SEPTEMBER 12 OCTOBER 3
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AUG 2026
LOWCOUNTRY 5
Let's Get Ready to Rumble
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ugust is one of the best months of the year for kayak anglers in the Lowcountry. Bait is plentiful, just about every inshore species is feeding, and the long summer days make it easy to sneak in an evening trip after work. While plenty of anglers spend August skipping lures under shady docks for redfish or chasing tarpon in Bulls Bay, my attention turns to something a little more prehistoric—the mighty bowfin and the annual Jurassic Classic Kayak Fishing Tournament. Bowfin, also known as mudfish or grinnel, are ancient fish native to South Carolina. They make their homes in slow-moving rivers, oxbow lakes, creeks, ditches, and cypress swamps. If bowfin are around, you'll often spot them rolling to the surface to gulp air before slapping their tail and disappearing back into the muddy water. As living fossils, bowfin possess a specialized swim bladder that allows them to breathe oxygen at the surface. They are ambush predators whose diet consists of crawfish, frogs, baitfish, and other aquatic prey. Their heads are protected by bony, armor-like plates, and their mouths are lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth. A 2000-2500 size reel spooled with 10-15 lb braid and paired with a
by Trey Carden, Contributing Writer
medium rod—is more than sufficient for fighting bowfin. Lure selection shouldn't include anything you aren't willing to have destroyed, and I don't recommend using anything with treble hooks for your own safety. Soft plastics, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits are the go-to choices, with Walmart spinnerbaits earning legendary status among bowfin anglers for being cheap enough that you won't cry when one gets mangled. So why do kayak anglers love chasing them? Simple—they're one of the toughest freshwater fish you'll ever hook. Pound for pound, few fish can match a bowfin's combination of raw power, endurance, and attitude. Once hooked, they'll launch into an acrobatic display that rivals a ladyfish while pulling with the brute strength of a big redfish. Landing one is only half the battle. If you actually manage to get a bowfin into your net or clamp a set of fish grips onto its jaw, the real chaos begins. They'll gator roll, snap hooks, bend spinnerbaits, knock anything that's not strapped down off your kayak, and tangle a landing net beyond recognition. In a catchphoto-release tournament, simply getting a fish measured can feel like winning a battle all by itself. During the Jurassic Classic, the sounds of rattling plastic, splashing water, and anglers celebrating—or crying out in defeat—echo across the water all day long. Fortunately, you don't have to compete in the tournament to experience the excitement. The Lowcountry Kayak Anglers also host a month-long AOY challenge, giving members plenty of opportunities to target these living fossils throughout August. Whether you're chasing bragging rights or simply looking to experience one of South Carolina's hardest-fighting native fish, there's no better time to join the club and hop aboard the Bowfin Bandwagon. FB: Lowcountry Kayak Anglers
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ter
Sweet Summertime Fishing with Young Anglers By BeBe Dalton Harrison, Angling Women
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BeBe Dalton Harrison Executive Director, Hampton Wildlife Fund Owner, Angling Women anglingwomen@gmail.com (803) 269-2470 www.anglingwomen.com
here is still a tiny bit of that sweet summertime left to fish with your young angler. This is for seasoned anglers with young children. If you are feeling summertime wind down but you haven’t truly spent time taking your little one fishing, the time is now. Here is my best advice for passionate anglers who want their children to love it as much as they do. This isn’t proven, just what has worked in my family! As much as you want to fish, put your rod down. This was very difficult for me as a busy mom because I wanted to fish, too! Any time I could get! And there was little time to squeeze it all in. But after getting frustrated untangling lines and having to help them with almost every cast, it wasn’t worth it. I finally decided that when I was taking my small children, I did NOT pack my own rod. It gave me time to watch, help, engage, point out the cool things we saw in nature, and connect. It makes them the center of your attention and sometimes they just need your presence and attention. Make it special. Pack a special treat or snack that they do not normally get. Take a “silly selfie” with them at each fishing spot to make a new tradition. Stop at the tackle shop and let them help pick something out and be part of the whole trip. This is about way more than fishing. You are making lifetime memories. Keep it short. You may be a die hard angler who will fish in the snow or rain. (Yes, I’ve fished in the snow and rain, haha). But your child is likely not there yet. Let them fish for a bit. Right now along the coast, a tiny gold hook, a split shot, and a chunk of shrimp should get plenty of tugs on the line and this is what matters. There’s plenty of time for learning more techniques to target larger gamefish but when they are little, you are after the “tug”. The split shot and small hook with a piece of shrimp (I’ll put a small bobber on only on occasion) should lead to pinfish, pigfish, whiting, and more. Spend a few minutes. Have your fun snack. Then see if you can catch another species. And then pack it up…leave them thirsty for more. I rarely “made” my children fish but they did fish when on vacation and at certain times of the year. I wanted them to truly love it as much as I did, but they usually didn’t last long and were ready to leave. I always wanted to stay longer. I was always the one wanting one more cast. One cloudy summer afternoon, my oldest, who was about 9 at this point, looked at me and said, “Mom, this is my favorite thing to do. I love fishing with you.” I keep a photo of him smiling up at me with a rainbow over his head as he was the one who finally asked, “May I make one more cast?” With tears in my eyes, I responded, “of course you can”.
d
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AUG 2026
LOWCOUNTRY 7
FISHING FORECAST
Mount Pleasant Pier by Chris Pounder, Contributing Writer
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here’s a lot of variety to what anglers are seeing out here and we expect that to continue into August and September. A good bet for this time of year is to be ready to throw a couple of different baits depending on what’s going on in the water. It’s also a good idea to bring an umbrella for shade since the few covered structures on the pier fill up quickly. This summer we’ve seen the return of some sizeable back drum and at least 3 of those fish were all larger than the previous pier record that stood since 2011. If you want to try your luck at taking down the champ, you may want some fiddlers or mud crabs. You should look to target the south side of the pier near the end on an incoming tide, if possible, as well. Recently I was asked about the best bait at the pier, and it varies throughout the year. This time of year, the most productive baits are live minnows or mullet, and fresh cut bait. Recently we’ve seen sea trout, flounder, and red drum caught on both live and fresh cut bait. Visit your favorite local tackle shop for minnows or you’re welcome to throw a cast net at the schools of mullet. Before throwing a net it’s advisable to check out the pier during low tide to familiarize yourself with some of the rebar that could ruin your net. The River Watch Café & Gift Shop on the pier sells frozen bait that you can use to turn the food chain in your favor. Using frozen shrimp or squid on a Carolina or 2 drop rig with small hooks is
8 LOWCOUNTRY
AUG 2026
a great way to find pinfish for fresh cut bait. Sabiki rigs are also available in the shop and a fun way to get multiple hook ups at once, especially fun for youth anglers. Cast Off Fishing tournaments will be back in September and October. Mark your calendars for September 19 and October 17. Entry is just $5 plus the daily fishing fee. Prizes will be awarded for the 3 biggest catches by weight as well as prizes for best 5 fish aggregate and youth catch. Registration is available on site the day of the tournament beginning at 7am. See you at the pier! For any additional information about the pier or what’s biting this week feel free to call the River Watch Cafe & Gift Shop on the pier at 843-762-9946 Chris Pounder, CPRP Manager, Mount Pleasant Pier
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STAY ON TOP By Britt Stoudenmire
FOR SUMMERTIME
RIVER SMALLIES
T
he late-summer months are an overlooked window to catch big smallmouth bass that have been lazily lying in the middle of the river a!er a long spawning season. The insect hatches and emergences that occur throughout the day including mayflies, damsel flies and my favorite, the cicada, spur feeding frenzies and create an excellent opportunity to throw topwater lures and flies. One of my favorite lures to target topwater smallies during this period
is the Pop-R. I make long casts with a 6-foot to 6-foot, 6-inch G.Loomis medium-action rod with a Shimano Stradic 2500 C4+ reel spooled with 20/6 Power Pro braided line. On entry into the water, I let the bait dead dri! for about five seconds before working it erratically back to the boat. I target current seams, eddies, corner pockets and any type of structure or current break in the middle of fast water. It is important to continue working the bait with the same cadence, even if a fish is crashing behind it. Once you feel the rod load, reel into the fish and swing the rod back. Once hooked up, keep the rod—and fish—down in the water. Many big fish are lost while trying to pull the fish up to get a look at it. Another one of my favorite topwater presentations is the buzzbait. I will target the same areas as above using a slightly stouter medium-heavy setup to drive the hook home. The key to the buzzbait is to get the bait up on the surface as soon as it hits the water. I favor a straight, steady retrieve, reeling just fast enough to keep the bait on the surface. When a fish eats it, allow him to load the rod before setting into him with a hard hook set. I favor longer sha!ed buzzbaits for better hook-ups, as I don’t use trailer hooks because of the damage they can do to smallies. If you have a blow up on your buzzbait and do not touch him with the hook, a quick follow up with a so! plastic will o!en garner an immediate bite from the same fish. If you like to fly fish, summer’s slower, less-busy water o!en presents the perfect scenario to fly fish for big smallmouth. My favorite presentation for smallies on the fly is dead-dri!ing cicada bugs. Big smallies are addicted to these “dog days” dying cicada bugs and the easy meal they present, and we sight cast to these fish that o!en eclipse 20” or more. This technique has produced some of my clients’ and my personal best fly-rod fish. When dead dri!ing cicada bugs aren’t working, several other presentations can produce explosive strikes. Any popper in the size 4 to 6 range can attract smallies. When they strike, remember to strip up the slack line and into them before raising the rod tip hard to drive home the hook. If fish aren’t responding to the popper, another option is a slider-style fly. When stripped, the fly will dive slightly beneath the surface giving a darting and diving action. The Sneaky Pete is a good example, and this type of presentation can be deadly. Britt Stoudenmire owns and operates New River Outdoor Co. who guides on the New River in Southwest Virginia. www.newriveroutdoorco.com.
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AUGUST 2026
NATIONAL 5
Working the Night Shift TIM BAREFOOT
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RHINO SPINNING COMBO WINS ICAST 2026 BEST OF SHOW
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n an industry increasingly dominated by high-tech fish finders, forwardfacing sonar, and motorized watercra!, the biggest story of ICAST 2026 came down to a refreshing return to roots. Rather Outdoors and its iconic Zebco brand shocked the fishing world at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., by winning the overall Best of Show award for the newly engineered Rhino 30 6’6’’ 2-piece Medium Spinning Combo. The victory marks a monumental comeback for the legacy Rhino name, a brand built entirely on bulletproof reliability for the everyday angler. “Zebco has been the first chapter in so many people’s fishing stories, and the Rhino relaunch is helping make sure that first experience is one that lasts,” said Chris Littau, Vice President of Zebco, following the historic win. Before capturing the industry’s ultimate prize, the Rhino setup first secured its foothold by winning the competitive Rod & Reel Combo category in the ICAST 2026 New Product Showcase, where industry heavyweights and innovative newcomers competed for 39 different Best of Category awards, selected by credentialed buyers and media who voted during the trade show.
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remember the dog days of August as almost unbearable for myself and clients during the daylight hours. Some days on commercial trips we would put the fan on us and rest during the heat of the day and fish in the late a!ernoon and at night for a number of fish, including snappers and mackerel. The yellowfin and wahoo bite could sometimes be a pleasant surprise while king mackerel fishing under the lights. The first wahoo I ever caught from an anchored up boat was at night. It literally swam right to the boat and I was able to almost hand feed him. That was a game-changing experience for me. This is where I learned how to catch live squid in numbers under the lights with a long-handled dip net and on the Sabiki. Cigar minnows and sardines would gather in huge swarms under the lights and, therefore, it would attract all the predators, not to mention the bite on the bottom and in the mid depth of the water column. The full moon of August is traditionally the best beeliner fishing of the year. A lot of the snappers spawn during the full moon of July and August; the mackerel too. A lot of the snappers and triggers are not on the bottom, but will suspend in the water column, so I would recommend a level wind reel when fishing the water column to locate the depth of the largest snappers. Descend your baits, slowly letting your thumb off the spool to release more line, one rod-length strip at a time. I like to use a double tackle with small pieces of squid and small circle hooks for this style of fishing. When you feel the first bite, click the reel in gear and barely come tight to it...sometimes you’ll have two at a time. This is the perfect time to put a small snapper on the bottom, a snapper Packed out... 2-4 lb. beeliners during large enough to eliminate first half of the night on the full moon. all the trash bites and attract only the largest grouper. The largest gag I ever caught was in August (at night) on a small pink snapper. Gutted it weighed 51 pounds and we estimated that it was probably 54 pounds. August has a lot of opportunities. We just have to change tactics to take advantage of it, and the night shi! is a great way to avoid the searing daytime temperatures and fill the box with organic groceries. This is also a good time to keep at least one person on the Sabiki, catching cigar minnows and sardines for future trips. Considering the cost of a five-pound box of frozen cigars, it makes it worthwhile to jig up 15 or 20 pounds of cigs, sardines, squid and/or tinker macs. Keep them all in the live well until you’re ready to leave in the morning and chill the remainder of the livewell all at one time for the ride home. Fish through the night and during the first couple of hours of daylight on the productive bottom and come home with a box full of fish! This is how to get the most out of an August trip. Load the box with plenty of ice when you get home, go inside, take a good nap and get up in the a!ernoon to clean and freeze the catch. Learn more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com and on his YouTube channel: @timbarefoot5698.
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