You’ll have to leave early and run farther this month
The blistering heat and extreme weather warnings began in June, and traditionally, August is still our hottest month. Nevertheless, according to long-time Charter Captain Rory Rorison, it’s still a great month for fishing.
“Yes, we have to leave as early as possible to make the longer runs into the bigger water, but the best bite is early and it can be fast and furious, and then it tapers off quickly,” Rorison said. “We often have our limits by 9-10 a.m., so we’re headed back to the dock before the real heat turns on.”
The only other option is to leave later and fish late afternoons, which Rorison said can also be very productive. But then you run into a higher likelihood of those late afternoon thunderstorms.
“It’s been a very productive summer so far, so the long early rides and fuel bills are being rewarded, and I expect the fishing to stay steady in August and even expand to some other areas,” he said. “The river usually drops to its lowest levels in August and September, barring any tropical events which would definitely alter that. And, barring such a tropical system, the trout will move into the various islands and structures in Black Bay, like Stone Island, Lonesome, Iron Banks, the pilings around the old Black Tanks and the Battledore area… all that should hold some nice fish this month.”
Where to go
Rorison said the Long Rocks usually get a good spurt of trout action this month, helped by the lower river and saltier water, and the Bay Eloi islands and structures are worth trying. Many anglers will head straight out to the deeper structures in Breton Sound as the winds and seas allow it. Little Central, Big Central, Five Wells and really any of the structures out there should hold a variety of fish, including lots of those toothy critters, so go prepared to deal with them.
“The good thing is in state waters you’re allowed to keep the bull and blacktip sharks right now, no limit and no minimum size,” he said. “And the outside islands, Breton, Gosier, Curlew and any and all of the islands have been productive so far.”
Rorison said he pulls the boat up into 4-5 feet of water and moves along the island with his trolling motor, casting baits both live and artificial until he finds the fish.
“Then park on them until the action stops and then just resume trolling,” he said. “You might have to move a bit, so just move until you find them.”
Live shrimp or imitations
Another option this month is to head over to the far north-eastern side of the Biloxi Marsh and fish among that maze of reefs and islands, which should hold specks and white trout this month. Use popping corks on live shrimp or Marker 54, Vudu and other shrimp imitations. Rorison said you can also switch gears altogether and hunt redfish along the banks in the bigger lakes and bays. Target drains, coves and points with current or wherever you see baitfish activity and fish it shallow with dead or live shrimp under a cork.
“The trout have been hitting plastics pretty good, but it’s always a good idea to bring live shrimp or croakers for the specks and fish them under a cork or on bottom in the deeper water,” he said.
Capt. Rory Rorison’s United Charters can be reached at 504-439-1680.
