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| Big Slabbers are in for the BANG month! and Permits still around |
Every year July 1st the kids and I go to the nearest fireworks
display and rape the shelves for fireworks well July's just not only for Independence Day Fireworks, but it's also banging with Fish…
and Shellfish as well!!! July is an explosive month to be out on the water spearfishing.
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| Scallops in grass beds |
Every July 1 scallop season begins in Florida, but this year it snuck up on us on June 28th lol. Clean water, high salinity
and a healthy seagrass bed is where these tasty critters live, but these same conditions
is what has reduced its range- primarily from the Pasco Hernando County line
northwest along the Big Bend region to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal
and Bay county- not too bad. Generally in years of high rain fall induced
flooding, the rivers excess fresh water and sediment dumps into the Gulf Coast
waters resulting in a poor harvest season, an indicator of the sensitivity of
the scallop to thrive in reduced salinity and clarity. Hunting for scallops in the clear waters of
the Gulf is a family experience fa’su! Hunting for scallops is easy, it takes no experience, special spearfishing equipment or training- just
a snorkel, mask and pair of fins and you’re in business (and most of us own
that already right?). Jump in on a sea grass bed and look
for the scallops "Blue eyes" about 20 pairs (I think) in total,
lining the edges of its shell, which is about 3" wide, and is a
brown/white mottled color which can be easy to spot on occasion, but sometimes
they have that mossy algae growing on the shell camouflaging it with the sea
grass and of course if they are nestled in the sand it can make it a bit
challenging. Once you spot one, be quick
in snatching it up, because they are self-propelled, rapidly clasping their
shells together jetting water out of its rear.
Btw these shells can also
pinch your fingers so gloves and a mesh bag
comes in handy- fellas you don't want to put scallops in the pockets of your
swim trunk lol. A Florida saltwater fishing license is needed to harvest bay
scallops even when scalloping from shore. The daily bag limit is 2
gallons whole in the shell or a pint of scallop meat per person- there is a
maximum of 10 gallons whole scallops in the shell or half-gallon shucked meat
per vesse. Also know your boundaries it
is illegal to take scallops in waters outside of the designated harvest zone.
Also remember if you are hunting from your boat to have your designated
diver down flag exhibited- this is very important as a lot of boaters are in
the scallop hunt zone boating around looking for the same thing. Scalloping is lots a fun if you want to learn more head over to the site its packed with 411 on
everything scallop!
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| Scalloping a fun family treat! |
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| The Blue eyes! |
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| Easy pickins' |
While we are on the
topic of shell fish creatures let's not forget the monumental lobster mini season. This two day spiny lobster "sport season" is always the
last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July.
It begins at 12:01 AM on the
last Wednesday in July and ends at 12 midnight and the last Thursday in July.
The bag limit is six per person per day from Monroe County and Biscayne National
Park, and 12 per person per day for the rest of Florida. The possession limit
on the water is equal to the daily bag limit and off the water it is equal to
the daily bag limit on the first day and double the daily bag limit on the
second day. Possession limits are forced on and off the water. Spiny
lobster has a minimum size limit that must be larger than 3 inches carapace
measured in the water. Remember nighttime
diving is prohibited in Monroe County (only during the sport season) also
keep
in mind lobstering is prohibited in John Pennekamp State Park during mini
season as well. In Everglades National
Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and specific no take areas in the Florida Keys
national Marine sanctuary lobstering is prohibited. A few other clauses within Monroe Countyapply: Islamorada, City of Key Colony Beach, City of Marathon, or any of
unincorporated Monroe County there is no diving or snorkeling rule applied
within 300 feet of improved residential or commercial shoreline, as well as no
diving or snorkeling in any man-made private canal and no diving or snorkeling
in any public or private marina-and they enforce this law to the limit! A recreational saltwater license and crawfish
permit is needed for harvesting these tasty critters. Regular spiny lobster
season is always August 6 through March 31 the same bag limits during the
sports season harvest.
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| Mini Season Line-up |
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| SuperSize'em both |
Here are a few
important lobstering tips/boating safety pointers during the mini season:
1-Prepare your boat
before you launch it
2-Have all your
safety gear and boat/trailer papers in order and up to date
3- Familiarize
yourself with the local waters and/or your lobstering guide
4- Be cautious of
skinny (shallow) water
5- Keep an eye out
for divers and steer clear of them; slow to idle speed within 300 feet of a
dive flag
6- Watch out for
divers where you don't expect them, which could be further away than 300ft from
their boat
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| Bugs! Its whats for dinner |
7-Don’t navigate
with your dive flag up
8-Be cautious of
your divers coming near, into, or out of the boat-ALWAYS keep it in neutral or
OFF
9-If it all possible
have all divers carry a dive flag tethered to them while in the water-this
could be lifesaving especially during mini season.
10- Don't drop the
hook on a coral reef, but rather in its outskirt on the sand
11- Keep track of
the tides, especially if your off a shoal around Key Biscayne/Elliot Key
12- Check the
weather forecast frequently, July/August forecast can change fast!
13- If pulled over
by Marine Patrol or FWC, being friendly, polite, and cooperative is the key to
a happy ending, remember these guys are just doing their job, and guaranteeing
future bugs for our next generation
14- Aside from the
saltwater license you also need a lobster stamp
15- Gear such as spears,
hooks, wire snares and any device which could puncture penetrate or crush the
shell of the lobster is prohibited
16- Always measure
lobster in the water before bringing them on the boat
17- Every harvester
must have a gauge for measuring lobster, while in the water at all times while
lobstering,
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| The other Taxman |
18- Lobster must
remain in a whole condition (all parts intact) while at sea, in other words not
till you reach terra firma dockside can you wring them!
19- If at all
possible keep your bugs alive till dockside (or till you get home) it makes a
huge difference in quality
20- If the bug is
caring eggs (a bright orange spongy looking sack under its tail) very carefully
release it where you got it from-Egg bearing females are illegal to harvest..
Finding bugs is pretty easy, look under, in and around rocks, ledges and structures. Also around shoals with grass ledges. Pretty much anything "crawlable and protecting" can be home to a lobster- tires, tubs, and even metal plates, and cynder blocks are all lobster hotels The best lobstering equipment is dependent on a few factors, but pretty standard is a good pair of dyneema gloves, and a quick pair of hands lol. Now if you wanna get fancy a spring loaded snare like this one on youtube works pretty well, I prefer the green snare personally, and finally the old reliable tickle stick/net..."the Lobster Assasination Kit" if you guys remeber those back in the days lol.. Here's a great write up on how to use one too. Finally a mesh bag or a lobster inn bag wraps up the rest of the lobstering gear. An important consideration especially during mini season, is a float/dive flag combo attached to the divers like this one sold by Austin's Dive shop is great and doubles as a lobster boat lol.
JULY
is all about “Strategic Hunting”
The heading echoes what we must apply the next couple of
weeks spearfishing in July for the best results. As we head deeper into summer
the key word is going to be "Strategic Hunting", and any spearfishing
guide will have his/her game plan in place for the very best spearfishing
results for their client!
When spearfishing in the month of July- Tides, Moon phase,
currents, overall water tempt as well long turn weather (eg repeated afternoon
showers over the course of a week) and its effect on spearfishing throughout
the week are important to monitor. The
best spearfishing captains will score
consistently if they micro manage these variables- as during these hot as hell
months fish will react/move with the slightest of deviations.
WEATHER
Spearfishing weather for July is purdy consistent, calm seas
almost every day with that midday breeze from the south and knurly afternoon
showers with a few lightning storms thrown in for good measure. Luckily for
us spearos/spearas the ocean often
serves as a pressure front preventing the storm from going on water this is
especially noticeable when spearfishing from Key Biscayne to Elliot Key, in the
Keys they cross through fairly rapidly and thus are pretty easy to avoid, also most
not being to massive one can maneuver around them, not that it matters
much…we’re wet anyways lol! Another
summer weather obstacle to watch for is water spouts….very cool to watch from a
distance, but also quite deadly if you’re in its path-STEER CLEAR of water
spouts! Daily rain has its detrimental
effects on spearfishing-wash off from our canals make our spearfishing waters
dirty, which inturn makes fish spooky.
Rain also changes the waters salinity which causes “algae blooms”
turning the water green, worsening viz.
MOON PHASE |
| Strategy is the name of the game for July |
The moon has always had on effect on spearfishing, and during July’s summer full moon quite a few species are spawning aside from Mango’s, and yellowtails; that tasty odd looking fish we call the triggerfish is also romancing. During the full moon fish will be more actively feeding, which means during the day they will be
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| A July weather water spout |
TIDES/ CURRENTS
Tides shift from highs to lows within 6-10 hours and depending where and what you are spearfishing, affecting fish differently. An incoming tide is bringing in bait as well as clean water, so you can be closer inland (say Hawks channel in our Florida Keys) and find good spearfishing. An outgoing tide is pushing water out of the bay so it’s going to be dirtier, meaning you’re going to have to go further out (maybe the first reef in our Miami waters) but it’s also pushing bait out with it, so fish might be stacked in certain pockets waiting for food. Also during the full moon tidal current picks up which causes fish to move around, these are great times to be in the water spearfishing while drifting with the current with a great spearfishing captain tracking his clients. New moons will cause the bottom and tops of the tides to be very powerful….any station in tidal creeks could produce some quality fish. A good current=a good fish. Anywhere you find good decent current you are more likely to find fish, current keeps fish moving, and it also brings bait in. Find some structure that has a horseshoe or “cove” type shape and you’ll likely find bait
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| Typical July spearfishing weather |
WATER TEMPT
During the July heatwave it’s not uncommon for water temperature to hit the 80’s causing fish to move to cooler waters- not necessarily deeper waters, but water that is a few degrees cooler- under ledges, in a current pocket, even a slight depth change within a reef structure could cause that few degree temperature change that fish cool off in. If doing bluewater spearfishing a surface temperature warmer than surrounding water could mean stressed out bait…which could only mean pelagics are below chomping on that unlucky bait.
Speaking of baitfish
and its influence on spearfishing, around this time every year the Gulf Stream
buzz slows down a tad, as Gulf waters warm up.
This inturn pushes huge schools of bait closer to inshore bottom
structure- humps, high points, pinnacles. The large mass of baitfish sardines,cigar minnows, big-eye shad (goggle eyes or chicharro) and Ballyhoo migrate to
the cooler inshore waters (which are still quite a ways out but not in the Gulf
Stream) over wrecks and reefs to spawn, these type structure act like fish
eateries for large pelagics. Any good
spearfishing captain will know these migration routes caused by water
temperature changes which occur usually around the same time of year, every
year, almost assuring pelagics will be
there also. The best spearfishing guides
will have a log of these routes, and will consistently score on pelagics for
their bluewater spearfishing clients.
Its no secret during the summer months especially July the Gulfstream gets pushed in tight, around Fowey
Rocks onward south and it’s like a highway for pelagics. Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, BIG Mackeral, Yellow Jacks, Tuna, Bonitos, and
even Cobia are all migrating south in front of Miami around Government Cut
which in itself serves as a huge baitfish biomass funnel!!! The best Miami, Florida Keys, and East coast
spearfishing guides will look for the color change from green water to Blue,
that’s where your large kingfish will be patrolling, and with them you’ll find
Bonito which are making their annual migration through our Florida waters. Bonitos are found by
many to be too bloody to be good eating (although I have heard if bled quickly
they make exceptional sashimi) but they do make outstanding burley…if you are
fast enough to spear one! Wahoo and Blackfin
tuna spearfishing at the Marathon Humps is excellent right now, with some good size fish in the 12-
to 15-pound class being skewered. Dolphin fishing remains hit or miss, with mostly small
numbers of schoolie size fish. Although elusive, there are some gaffers
and slammers to be
had as well, but
you have to go way further offshore in the 15-20 mi range.
Finally don’t overlook those real
deep water wrecks in the 300’-500’ depth which can have wahoo stacked in the
upper water column less than 50’ below!
During
this time of the month a bit closer inshore in 30’-100’ you’ll find good yellowtails
in the 16”- 18” range and mangrove snapper with some good size to them; some
being “slabbers” in the five pound range and above. Muttons are around mostly in deeper waters
coming off the wrecks or a bit shallower on an outgoing tide, keep an eye out
for permits (in federal waters) too they’re still lingering around out
there!!! Speaking of wrecks brute amberjack
are in the vicinity as are some nice cobia….if your looking for something to
wreck your gear! Speaking of wrecking spearfishing
gear Cubera snappers are on these wrecks too as August rolls around and the
full moons spawn draws near.Its no secret during the summer months especially July the Gulfstream gets pushed in tight, around Fowey
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| The "reef" baitball spawn |
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| A Big Florida Hamachi |
BEST BET FOR JULY
SPEARFISHING-MANGROVE SNAPPER
Call it what you will-gray snapper, mangrove snapper, black snapper, mango snapper- leave the relative safety of the mangrove roots in and around Key Biscayne, Matheson Hammock, and Sands Cut channels , bays, backcountry and Gulf side of the Florida Keys to rendezvous on the outer edge of the reefline on the Oceanside for the purpose of procreation. The spawn can be found anywhere from patch reefs in as little as 15 feet of water out to the deep edge of the outer reef in 100 feet or more.
The spawn in the lower keys along the reef line is evenly divided between state and federal waters. The rules regarding the taking in terms of size and bag limits vary greatly between the two approximately east of American Shoal the reef line is in federal waters and to the west of the light the reef line is state water.
Call it what you will-gray snapper, mangrove snapper, black snapper, mango snapper- leave the relative safety of the mangrove roots in and around Key Biscayne, Matheson Hammock, and Sands Cut channels , bays, backcountry and Gulf side of the Florida Keys to rendezvous on the outer edge of the reefline on the Oceanside for the purpose of procreation. The spawn can be found anywhere from patch reefs in as little as 15 feet of water out to the deep edge of the outer reef in 100 feet or more.
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| The mango July spawn |
The spawn in the lower keys along the reef line is evenly divided between state and federal waters. The rules regarding the taking in terms of size and bag limits vary greatly between the two approximately east of American Shoal the reef line is in federal waters and to the west of the light the reef line is state water.
Mangrove (Grey) Snapper *STATE WATERS
Size limit: 10"
Bag limit: 5 per person/day (included in 10 snapper aggregate bag limit)
Mangrove
(Grey) Snapper *FEDERAL WATERS Size limit: 10"
Bag limit: 5 per person/day (included in 10 snapper aggregate bag limit)
Size limit: 12"
Bag limit: 10 per person/day (included in 10 snapper aggregate bag limit)
If you want to score
on big “slabber” mango’s now is a great time to go spearfishing for them! From Sebastian Inlet, through West Palm
Beach, onward down the east coast to Haulover, Miami Beach, and the Keys
mangrove snapper are on the move. One
great spearfishing tip for mangrove snappers is to be on the water during
July’s full moon, actually a few days before and even a few days after, but you
already know that, so here’s another spearfishing tip for mango snapper-find
the numbers! Numbers here does not refer
to great waypoint spearfishing numbers, but rather “quantity”. Mangroves are
spawning so the more the merrier is the key.
Although the big slabbers usually are in small pods throughout the year,
this time of year in July the slabbers and small snapper are all mixed in, so
where you see a large number of small to medium size fish, you will also find
the big mammas! Another one
of the best
spearfishing tip for snapper is find good structure, especially a big depth
change as found in many reefs throughout Tavernier Key to Marathon Key….ledges,
humps, plates are great, and if they drop from 10 feet down to 50’ it can be
1000 times more productive. You see these
type structures will hold bait on the top, so snapper below don’t have to go too
far for a meal, so now the same ledge is home, feeding, and spawning grounds
all in one! Probably one of the absolute
best spearfishing methods for mango snappers is the aspetto, agachon, or
lie&wait…all meaning the same thing (depending where’s your homeport) which
is to lie on the bottom (not necessarily motionless). Some aspettos you want to blend in and be
still, a snapper agachon is a bit different, you actually want to stir a little
sand, tap a few rocks, twang your bands…as the mango has one
downfall-curiosity! During your
lie&wait keep your gun in close under you…and wait, as generally the
smaller mango’s will come in first, the slabbers take a little longer…so just
be patient! Another great spearfishing
trick I have passed on to many spearo/a is to dress the tip of your gun with
some reflective tape and even a fake lure-type fish eye or 2 on the
muzzle. I have had 5# slabbers come
right up to my muzzle for a bite of steel!
In fact this spearfishing trick works so well that I include it standard
in all my custom made enclosed track Euro spearguns. If you’re having a hard time locating snapper
find any good structure and chum at mid-depth, if within 15-30 minutes you’re
not seeing any move on. Once you locate
them bring the chum up to the surface tie it off to your boat and chunk some
ballyhoo, this usually brings the slabbers out of hiding. If you are spearfish stalking mango snapper on a ledge locate the
“snapper train”, a few gray snappers sitting around together, who usually as
you are dropping will come up to greet you then swim away in a train-like
formation. Follow them closely looking
over your shoulder. I have noticed the
snapper train, on the move, will lure in more snapper, as well as make the
bigger smarter snapper follow behind the spearo/a, instead of joining the train,
that’s another
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| Big Slabbers are in the Bang month |
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| HAVE A SAFE AND GREAT 4th of JULY |
Till next spearfishing report, tight bands, straight shafts, and smooooooooth triggers!
Tone
http://www.settingsteelspeargear.com/
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