As we experience extreme temperatures this summer, many anglers are asking why the fish stopped biting? Not all the harbor species have stopped biting. National Marine Fisheries, and their state affiliates, have been conducting research on the effects of temperature change on fish. Their findings, over many years, have given the commercial fishing industry and recreational anglers some excellent guidance.
Warmer water can give many fish species a metabolism boost, which in turn generates more frequent feeding habits. For example, a hand full of shark species hang around the harbor in cooler water temperature. As the water temperature gets above 70 degrees, sharks such as bulls, hammerheads and tiger sharks will visit these water temperature areas. On a recent trip with a local guide, we headed to an area where redfish were schooling. Throughout the cooler water temperature days, we could fish without ever having problems with sharks grabbing our hooked fish. As the water temperature went up into the high seventies or low eighties, we saw many bull sharks in three to four feet water chasing after our hooked redfish. After late fall, while the redfish were still around, no bull sharks were to be seen.
Another fact seems to be that high water temperatures reduce the oxygen levels in the water. This effect tends to reduce local fish feeding activity. It has been found that varied species of fish require different temperature ranges. While we are discussing sharks, the famous mako shark does not have an active feed in water temperatures under 60 degrees. Anglers who fish the famous Bayshore Mako Shark Tournament out of Long Island, New York, have had years when few makos, if any, were brought in for weighing. The water temperature during these tournament days was in the high 50s and only blue sharks were on the bite. On tournament days, when the ocean water temperatures were between 62 degrees and 70 degrees, the mako bite and capture was excellent.
We have many local fish that require a warmer temperature range than that found during the winter months here in Florida. Speckled sea trout can be found year-round in our Florida waters, while great kills of snook are often seen when the local temperature of the water column reaches into the 50s. Habits of local species change as temperature changes our water. Extreme fish stress is one of the most difficult areas of behavior that reduces our fish populations. Oxygen levels in the water, water temperature and temperature durations have proven to be a problem with the fish populations we enjoy catching, and have resulted in poorer catches. With these conditions, small bait fish that our local species rely on, leave the harbor, and become very scarce.
For best fishing conditions, check with our local bait and tackle shops as they hear from many guides and resident fisherman about local fishing conditions.
Tight Lines
