Florida fishing: Hot enough for lobster, alligator & then snook

You hear that sound? That's the sound of the electronic school bells tuning up in the not-so-distant future.

That's right. Before our very eyes, the summer just faded away. Now if only the heat will.

Just because the summer is coming to a close for some of us does not mean the seasons for harvest of unique Florida targets is. Lobsters, alligators, snook (and don't forget scallops on Florida's northern Gulf Coast) are all entering their harvest seasons at different designated dates.

So unfortunately some of us will be back in the stores soon buying those spiral notebooks and colored pencils, but don't forget to get your last taste of the outdoors before the school bells ring.

For complete fishing regulations in Florida go to MyFWC.com.

Offshore: Capt. Terry Wildey of Big Easy fishing charters out of Capt Hiram's Resort in Sebastian has been steering clients to catches of large mangrove snapper, gag grouper, kingfish, cobia and mutton snapper in 70 to 100 feet of water. The summer slowdown hasn't happened yet here.

Inshore: A small fish kill occurred along the west side of the lagoon south of Sebastian River. However, mangrove snapper fishing is still good at Sebastian Inlet. Use shrimp, mojarra or cut pinfish to get bites. The catwalks are still closed at the state park so use the jetties to reach the fish. Watch snapper bites at the end of north jetty are getting taken by goliath grouper.

Freshwater: Water temperatures have been high at Headwaters Lake, Blue Cypress Lake, Stick Marsh and Garcia. Fish slower and lower to get bites from bass on jigs and swim baits.

Offshore: Mutton snapper and mangrove snapper are being caught by the party boats working out of Fort Pierce. Most of the action has been in 80 feet of water. Use dead sardines. Watch out for lobster divers if planning on fishing reef structure Sunday when season opens. Boaters must remain 300 feet away from dive flags.

Inshore: Trout and snook are common catches on live pilchards or threadfin herring when fished around structure in Fort Pierce. Pitch live baits around docks along St. Lucie Village or south along Indian River Drive for bits from these fish, redfish and black drum.

Surf: Whiting have been biting along Hutchinson Island beaches. Fish the beginning of the outgoing tide.

Offshore: Wahoo can be caught this week on the back of the super moon from Wednesday, the first of two supermoons this month. The second will be Aug. 30. Supermoons are larger than regular moons by several percentage sizes. Sailfish have been in 80 to 150 feet. Bait is still out in front of the House of Refuge.

Inshore: Tarpon fishing has been steady in the Crossroads. Dunking a dead mullet has worked during the outgoing tide and it will also catch snook and sharks. Snook have been along the detached jetty. around docks at Rocky Point and Sailfish Point and bridges. Sheepshead can be caught around bridges and docks on shrimp.

With high water temperatures throughout much of the fishable areas of the lake, it's time to fish lower in the water column and slow down one's presentation. Bluegill and bream are biting live crickets.

Ed Killer is the fishing writer for TCPalm. Email him your fishing report at [email protected].