August is the last full month of “SweatFest 2018,” the festival nobody likes to celebrate. While a combination of hot water and high tides make for tough fly fishing, late summer does offer a few unique opportunities.
Pelagic species are at their peak. Cobia and kings are close to shore, while Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle and tripletail can be found in bays and passes.
Of those, jack crevalle offers one of the more appealing targets. Look for schools of mullet busting the surface. Jacks love large baitfish patterns. But you’ll need a 10-weight or 12-weight rod and a large disc drag reel to have any chance of bringing these bruisers to the boat.
While many bull reds can be found cruising the edges of larger lakes, the next two months are the best time to enjoy a redfish blitz. Schools of bulls will be busting pogies. Look for the birds working over the frothing surface activity, and cast large baitfish patterns.
For speckled trout, nighttime is the right time. Cast Clousers and weighted shrimp patterns around lighted piers and docks. Let it sink down, then strip fast.
That same technique works during daytime for sand (white) trout. Small in size, but strong in fight, a sandie in the 12 inch range on a 5-weight rod can be more fun than the law allows.
The Red River has been fishing great this summer. Barring any tropical rainfall, look for continued schooling bass in the oxbows around Coushatta and Pineville. Cast Crease Flies into schools of shad. Most of the big bass will eat just before sunrise.
