Outdoors | Summer thunderstorms put fish on the move
Seas were upwards of 5 feet at the offshore buoys Friday, causing some offshore boats to drop out of the competition. The mediocre conditions could make it tough for boats to make long runs offshore, but catches hitting the docks noon today at the Bradenton Yacht Club weigh-in could still be outstanding.
The inshore division could have anglers scratching their heads. With so much rain, fish are going to be on the move. Patterns from weeks past can completely change. It can make it tough fishing conditions, but not impossible.
So what do you look for when fishing the flats after rain? With a normal summer pattern, storms will roll from east to west during the afternoon and clear after a short time. I love getting out for a few hours before the sun goes down after a quick summer storm.
With a full day of the sun warming the flats, a quick rain can cool the water temperature by as much as 10 degrees. This cooling effect can flip a switch for fish, making them active and hungry. When storms clear, winds are usually light and Mother Nature very peaceful.
The Bradenton Yacht Club is now accepting entries for their 28th annual Kick-off Regatta on September 24-26. This is the second race in WFPHRF boat of the
