Anglers are no strangers to Dog Days, those hot, sultry times when even the lizards are lurking in the shadows. We know that a change of strategy will be in order soon. What we are strangers to is those days showing up a month earlier than usual. Add to that challenge the persistent west winds and anglers that chase tarpon on the beach and those that plumb the depths for grouper and pelagic species are affected. The name “dog days” comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, in close proximity to the sun, was responsible for the hot weather.
On the west coast of Florida, dog days can run through September and into October, with the “spell” being broken by the shorter days more than the easing of daytime temperatures. While the temperatures create challenging conditions, savvy anglers know to change their strategies, tailoring their efforts to maximize their comfort and opportunities.
One of the prime times to fish during the dog days is before the sun crests the horizon.
The myriad dock and bridge lights that illuminate the waterways from Bradenton to Venice are prime targets. These areas hold schools of snook as well as trout, mangrove snapper, redfish, tarpon and a host of other species.
Docks with a water depth of more than 6 feet and good tidal flow generally hold more fish. When possible, fish the up-tide side of a structure. This allows more latitude when making a presentation, allowing flies, lures and bait to swing to the fish naturally and stay in the “strike zone” longer. Knowledge of the area you’re fishing will allow you to have docks to target on any tide.
The presence of hard bottom near a bridge or dock is another indicator of good fish habitat. Baitfish and crustaceans are attracted to a light source but also the presence of structures like ledges, oyster bars and seawalls. The type of light also can influence the action with underwater lights and lights sitting low to the water having a more distinctive shadow line, an area where feeding fish concentrate. In almost all cases, the biggest fish seem to hang on the dark edges of shadow lines.
When the rising sun lightens the horizon, anglers can move to the flats to target redfish, snook and trout. By concentrating your efforts around flats with good grass cover, with defined edges, potholes, sandbars and oyster bars you’ll find fish in much the same pattern as during other times of the year. The key is to find water temperatures that attract bait and are tolerable to gamefish. The addition of a strong incoming tide will increase your odds as well.
In the hottest months, most of the early morning tides are from 1-1.5 feet, so anglers will seldom see pushes or tails. Instead, concentrate on scattering bait, working birds and schools of mullet. One of the most productive strategies is to fish “seams,” demarcation lines that separate grass, sand and other structure.
While the pre-dawn or early morning is generally the best time during sweltering weather, there is one exception. The late afternoon outgoing tides that correspond to the full and new moons provide some fast action with a variety of species. Areas to concentrate on include the slues and channels that drain the inshore flats and the passes where the funneling effect concentrates game fish and their prey. Passes that have flanking seawalls and rock groins can be particularly productive. These areas attract and concentrate the baitfish on which the predators feed. Work lures and flies close to the structure. Fishing the “doldrums” can be productive no matter where you fish if you follow a few rules. First and foremost, you must find conditions that are acceptable to the species you seek. Snook and redfish are much more tolerant of high water temperatures than trout. In general, water temperatures must not be excessive, and you can count on early mornings and deeper water to moderate conditions. The exception to the rule will be those areas and times where the presence of food overrides the fish’s desire to locate comfortable conditions.
Fishing the dog days can be challenging, but master the rules and you’ll have a lot of good fishing opportunities minus the crowds.
