We are catching Gag Grouper on Pier 60!

June fishing has been hot at Pier 60.

The June weather pattern has given us lots of onshore winds, some waves, and rainy squalls here and there. But the fishing has been very good, starting first thing in the morning. In the heat of the day fishing usually slows down, picking up again in the late afternoon and into the evening.

Spanish Mackerel have been biting on live shrimp, plugs, or small minnows. Catching has been best in the mornings, but Mackerel can show up throughout the day as well.

Lots of baitfish surround the Pier, and it’s been pretty consistent to be able to catch whitebait on a Sabiki rig.

The occasional 25-pound plus King Mackerel hit large live bait under a float, but as the water warmed up, there have been fewer of them.

The Snook bite has been fantastic at times, with as many as a dozen nice fish caught and released nightly. Some of the Snook were estimated to be over 30 lbs. All were released, as Snook season is closed. One fisherman reports of catching and releasing over 25 Snook this month alone.

Spotted Sea Trout have been reliable at night, feeding on live shrimp or small whitebait. Some Trout have been as large as 22 inches.

There was an occasional catch of Cobia, with a few keepers and many undersize fish released.

Flounder have also shown up in twos or threes, a welcome catch for the persistent or lucky angler.

Mangrove Snapper fishing has been steady, with quite a few chunky fish up to 15 inches taken on shrimp.

Tarpon are still off the end of the pier, and we had some nice fish caught and released in June. Most Tarpon took large live baits under a float, and it is a testament to the fisherman’s abilities to have been able to keep the fish from breaking off around a buoy or piling.

Hogfish, a rarity to catch on hook-and-line, have been taken recently, on more than one occasion. One of the Hogfish measured out at 18 inches, a nice fish!

Sheepshead are around the pilings, and some nice fish have been caught on shrimp or small crabs in the past few days.

Bull Redfish have been seen cruising in twos and threes off the end of the pier. Only a few slot-size fish have been landed, most of the reds are way over the limit, going over 40 inches. One seasoned fisherman told me how his Redfish just wore him flat out, fighting with a tenacity and strength that tested his tackle and his muscles to the limit.

A great variety of species were caught this month, including Pompano, Whiting, Lookdown, Spadefish, Black Sea Bass, Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Jack Crevalle, Bluefish, Blue Runner, Key West Grunt, Ladyfish, Remora, and several species of Shark.

Charles lands his first snook

A special congratulations is in order to 12 year-old Charles Cunningham, for catching his first Snook. The 40-incher took a Mackerel head soaking on the bottom, and tried vainly to escape by charging into the maze of pilings supporting the pier. Charles was nearly railed on more than one occasion, but managed to keep the fish from breaking off. The fish was successfully netted, photographed, and released. We will post his picture soon. Way to go Charles!