Bussen Report – July | The Beachside Resident

By: Capt. Scott Bussen

Article Category: Canaveral Fishing Report Leave a Comment

So, I’m having a couple ice picks with my fishing buddies after a long day of fishin’ and — bling-a-bling-ding! — I get a text message from the hard-ass editor of this fine periodical.

Bing, bang, boogie to the fish-mobile and to the house, Jeeves! I’ve got some BS to spew! So here I am writing this article… Back against the wall… Editor screamin’ deadline in my ear… Blowin’ cigar smoke in my face… Slammin’ the keys of this 1980s typewriter… Now I’m huntin’ and peckin’ my way to glory, just to bring you this piece of literary genius they call the “Fishing Report.” Well, maybe genius is stretching it a bit… Maybe the alcohol has a hold of me… Maybe this is all a dream… Realistically, it’s not a dream. I’m just a slacker with a propensity for procrastination who needs a push to propagate my prose.

I told you last month when I went out on a limb that the fall was gonna hurt. Apparently, I didn’t realize how far off the ground I was when I went out on that weak branch, nor for that matter, how the fall on my melon would effect my faculties. OK, disclaimer out of the way; I can admit when I’m wrong. I said I thought the dolphin run would continue into June. Am I still wrong if there was actually a dolphin caught last month? Maybe I can get off on a technicality? Whadda ya think, judge? Darn it, my head hurts! Whatever. I’m blaming everything on the heat.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, there wasn’t a whole bunch to talk about last month when it came to fishing offshore. There happened to be just enough action to keep up interest. It seemed as though there were a few of everything about in June, with no particular fish taking the headline. Bottom fishing was hit or miss, trolling was spotty, and the live baiting on the reef was sporadic. With the air and water temperatures rising, you can expect conditions in July to remain relatively the same.

If I was to put a spotlight on any one area for July, it would be live bait fishing the beach. It’s fun, easy, and close to home when the afternoon hurricanes come rolling through. The tarpon showed up last month in the pogie pods outside Canaveral in pretty good numbers. As long as the bait holds and the inshore waters remain relatively clean, the ‘poons should be the best bet for July. In the same vicinity, you should be able to find kingfish, jack Crevalle, sharks, and more. If you want to target the tarpon, try slow-trolling live pogies on flourocarbon mono leaders with small live bait hooks or circle hooks. If you want to play the potluck game, troll the live baits on treble hook stinger rigs. The only problem with the light wire of the stinger rigs is that you can’t put that much pressure on the tough tarpon. But, if you use mono, be ready for the kingfish cut-offs.

The next best bet this month will be live baiting on the inshore reefs and wrecks. Slow-trolled pogies should bring a mixed bag of kingfish, cobia, dolphin and other less desirable pelagics. If the bite is anything like last month, you may have to fish several areas before you find the desired action. Fish an area for 30 to 45 minutes, and if you don’t have any action, move to another spot and repeat until you find some fish. With the ever-warming water temps, live bait is a must. So try and spend a little extra time to find the pogies. The spinnin’ minnows will work, but live bait is really a must this time of year.

I’m sure July could provide us with some decent bottom catches, providing conditions cooperate. There have been reports of dirty water on the bottom from 130′ on out. If the water cleans up and the thermocline doesn’t set in, the fish might just go on a tear. I’m not going to prognosticate, I’m just going to hope… Whatever the case, fishing for grouper and amberjack should be concentrated in deeper water (130′ or deeper). There should still be some snapper activity in the shallower waters, but mangrove snapper will be the most prevalent with reds taking the second seat.

As far as trolling goes, July is a troll-at-your-own-risk month. The dolphin, wahoo and sails will be extremely scattered out. Plan on covering a lot of ocean for minimal bites. My advice if you go trolling in July: lots of beer and lots of ice.

Whatever you do this month on the ocean, do it early and get home before the squalls start blowing the coconuts off the palms.

See ya on the pond!