Well… the summer grind is almost over, and I think the fish are ready for fall just as much as we are. 😂

But these Florida summer storms have been absolutely all over the place during this final stretch. One minute you’re fishing, the next minute Mother Nature decides you need a shower. 🚿🌩️

I spent most of the week fishing the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding Space Coast waters. My main goal was to find some tarpon, but I was perfectly happy targeting whatever decided to cooperate.

So what did I find?

Fish? YES.
People catching fish? YES.
Friends giving me good reports? YES.
Fish cooperating with ME? Absolutely not. 😂

Apparently my lure selection was on the fish’s “Do Not Disturb” list this week.

🎣 OVERALL REPORT: SLOW

The general vibe right now is slow, but there are good fish around.

You need to put in the time, cover water, and find the fish that are actually willing to play. They’re definitely there—you just might have to work for them.

🐟 TARPON

There are still plenty of juvenile tarpon hanging around the backwaters, canals, and especially around flowing culverts.

I’ve also seen some BIG tarpon in the deeper canals, creek mouths, along the Intracoastal, and around Haulover.

I’ve seen some really good pictures and videos of big lagoon tarpon being caught lately.

And strangely enough…

The glide bait has been absolutely getting it done.

I’ve been throwing a big glide bait while also freelining 6-inch ladyfish and mullet ranging from finger-sized up to about 9 inches.

You would think the big live bait would win that battle.

Nope.

The glide bait kept getting the attention. 🤷‍♂️😂

My tarpon recommendation right now:
➡️ Big glide baits
➡️ Live finger mullet
➡️ Focus on canals, culverts, creek mouths and deeper water

🐂 REDFISH

Reds have been SLOW this week.

They’re definitely around, but they don’t seem overly motivated.

I fished several areas with my usual confidence lures and couldn’t buy a bump…

Only to have a mid-30-inch redfish practically bump my kayak and spook off.

So yeah…

They’re there. They’re just apparently not taking applications right now. 😂

If conditions stay like this next week, my plan would be to locate areas showing signs of reds and then soak some fresh cut bait.

Sometimes you just have to stop trying to convince them to eat and let the dinner bell sit there. 🐟🍽️

🦈 SNOOK

Snook have also been slow, but there are still some good fish around.

Most of what I’ve been seeing/catching has been under slot, with a few slot and over-slot fish showing up around first light.

And right now…

🌅 FIRST LIGHT IS KEY.

Not necessarily dark.

First light.

I’ve had some mornings where snook and tarpon were absolutely exploding on bait as soon as daylight started showing up.

Then that magical window slowly closes and things get tougher.

And once the sun comes up, a lot of those snook are getting WAY back underneath the mangroves.

So if you’re targeting them after first light:

➡️ Go weedless
➡️ Use a paddle tail or similar soft plastic
➡️ Skip it as far underneath those mangroves as you can
➡️ Lock down your drag and get them out quickly

Because those snook aren’t planning on coming out for a friendly conversation. 😂

Also, I thought I was seeing tailing redfish at first light one morning…

Nope.

Just a bunch of snook.

Apparently even the fish were trying to confuse me this week. 😂

✨ THE BIOLUMINESCENCE

The bioluminescence has also been INSANELY bright at night.

It’s absolutely incredible to experience, but I’ve had a hard time getting the snook to cooperate when my line is ripping through the glowing water like a laser beam announcing exactly where my lure is. 😂

Once daylight hits, though?

Game on.

🌩️ SUMMER STORMS

The storms definitely made things interesting this week.

A couple of days they pushed us off the water earlier than we wanted, and I got absolutely drenched more than once.

But that’s Florida summer fishing.

Never trust a Florida summer weather forecast with your life. 😂

Plan for storms. Have an exit plan. Watch the sky. And most importantly, don’t risk it.

There will always be another day to fish.

🎣 THIS WEEK’S SUMMARY

Overall: Slow, but good fish are around.

Redfish: They’re there. Find the signs, then consider fresh cut bait.

Tarpon: Juveniles in the backwaters/canals/culverts. Bigger fish around deeper canals, creek mouths, Intracoastal and Haulover. Glide baits and live finger mullet are worth throwing.

Snook: First light is the money window. After that, look deep in the mangroves and get weedless.

You can definitely catch fish right now.

You just have to put in the time, cover some water, and find the ones that actually feel like playing.

And honestly, that’s fishing.
I’m looking forward to FALL.

My fishing spider senses are tingling, and I’ve got a feeling this fall is going to be EPIC for drum fishing. 🥁🎣
So get ready…
Tight lines everyone! 🎣🤙