Fishing conditions, seasonal outlook, and service updates from August 2022.
Thanks for taking the time to read the update. There is good fishing to talk about this August, along with an important change to my lobster trips. Knowing what an activity involves before booking helps us start the day with a plan that fits your group.
A Change to My Lobster Mini-Season Trips
After this year’s mini-season, I have decided not to offer those two days of lobster charters in the future. The preparation, crowded conditions, and difficulties on the trips have made it an experience I no longer want to run.
I am honoring my existing regular-season lobster bookings while reviewing whether these outings remain part of the business beyond 2022. That decision comes down to whether I can consistently offer an experience that works for the guests and for me.
Understand the Diving Before You Reserve
Lobstering is a hands-on diving activity. I provide the equipment, choose suitable locations, and explain the technique. Guests need the swimming, snorkeling, and diving skills to take part comfortably.
Being comfortable snorkeling at the surface is different from diving down and working near the bottom. Please read my lobster trip information and participation requirements before booking, then discuss everyone’s experience with me.
If the activity is beyond your group’s abilities, more instruction on the boat may not resolve that during a single trip. Nobody should push a dive or extend a breath hold to try to keep up. It is better to choose a different outing than make the day depend on skills you have not developed.
I want lobster trips to be about exploring, learning, and enjoying the search. Catch numbers vary, and the experience needs to make sense for everyone taking part.
Morning Reef Trips Have Been Productive
Now for the good fishing news: morning reef trips have been producing well. For early August, mangrove snapper remain a main attraction as their spawning bite approaches its seasonal slowdown.
At the time of this report, I expect that pattern to taper around August 13 and the focus to shift back toward yellowtail snapper by mid-month.
Heat and conditions guide the morning. Once the sun gets higher, often around 10 a.m., we may switch locations or try another fishery to finish the trip.
I am not offering standard afternoon half-day reef trips during this hot period. Those outings usually return to my schedule around Halloween, when temperatures and fishing conditions become more favorable.
Offshore Tuna and Mahi
I did not run many offshore trips during July. High fuel costs have made the longer outings expensive to operate, but the trips we did run produced good catches.
Tuna at the humps and mahi around the 30-mile range have given us opportunities. In recent years, I have also seen worthwhile mahi fishing later in the season, sometimes continuing into October. We will see how this year’s pattern develops.
Wreck Fishing: Strong Fish and Some Shark Trouble
The wrecks have produced a mixed catch. Mutton snapper are more scattered now, though putting time into the right area can still pay off. Jacks have made up much of the action and have certainly kept anglers busy.
Sharks have been taking hooked fish on some trips. The pressure varies from day to day, so we adjust where and how we fish when it becomes a problem.
Snorkeling and Sandbar Options
Snorkeling has remained a good option, with visibility often around 30–40 feet. July was unusually windy, and the forecast still includes more wind as I write this, so we need to stay flexible about the locations available.
Moon jellyfish are starting to appear. Bring a long-sleeve rash guard for time in the water, and we will assess conditions before deciding where to get in.
Sandbar trips are another possibility, and mermaid tails can be included on suitable snorkeling or sandbar outings. Tell me what your group enjoys so we can discuss the options.
Start with the Right Level of Adventure
I run the boat without a separate mate, so guests take an active role while I guide the trip. We learn the techniques, adjust to the conditions, and work together.
If you are unsure where to begin, a four-hour morning fishing trip is worth discussing. It gives us a manageable starting point, with room to build as everyone gets comfortable.
Whether you want to learn something new or keep the outing relaxed, tell me what your crew would enjoy before choosing a trip. I can explain the participation involved and help you find an adventure that fits your visit.
