Hurricane Pass and Caxambas Pass are equally productive, and New Pass and Big CarIos Pass are renowned for both huge snook and tarpon this month, especially at night under the bridges. In the heat of the day, live baits are needed to beg a strike. Of course, most fishermen do not run out for just a couple hours of fishing at first light. Day-trippers are there for most of the day, and there are ways to extend the bite. For one, always fish the coolest waters possible.
Deep holes are obviously cooler than shallow bays.
Brisk tidal current produces water that is cooler than slack tide, and rising tides bring in somewhat cooler Gulf water, especially early in the day. The almost daily afternoon thunderstorms may scare you to death, but if you take cover or duck into a marina until they abate, the cooling rain knocks the water temperature down enough to get the fish feeding like it is dawn again. A cloudy day is obviously ideal, and a light drizzle is always welcome. The best fishing of all takes place on the points of the outside islands on the incoming tide. This is when the cool water from the Gulf washes in and traps baitfish against the mangroves.