Week of August 23: Slow, but a few mangrove snapper being caught
Anglers can expect southeast winds 8 to 12 mph this afternoon and 2 to 3-foot seas at the Inlet today. It’s gloomy out there today, with the forecast calling for continued cloudy skies, a high of around 88 degrees and the best chance of rain at about 4 p.m.
Our trusty fishing guide, “Snookman” Wayne Landry, reports that the bite has been “pretty slow” during the past week at the North Jetty, largely due to stormwater runoff flowing out of the inlet and the 3 to 4-foot swell created by Tropical Storm Henri that chased the baitfish away. On the bright side, conditions were clearing up last weekend and he said a few mangrove snapper are still being caught, along with a few keepers. Spanish mackerel are still absent, with only a few being caught with live bait. Catch-and-release snook action has slowed as well due to the water quality.
At the South Jetty, the water has been churned up by south-southeast winds, but a few small mangrove snapper are still being caught in clearer water.
The surf fishing has slowed also due to the swell and dirty water. The glass minnows have moved further out and along with them the fish.
Offshore, the mangrove snapper bite is still lively, with fish mostly in the 5 to 8-pound range being caught, along with plenty of American red snapper (the season is currently closed). Wayne adds that his offshore friends tell him that there are grouper on the reefs (240 to 260 feet of water with fish up to 20 to 30 pounds being caught). Also, kingfish are still playing around the bait schools in 30 to 120 feet of water with some "smokers" still closer inshore.
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