Summer Flats Fishing Capt Mike Corks Croakers

Summer Fishing with Capt. Mike

There's nothing quite like spending a full day on the water with a captain who knows these flats like the back of his hand. Capt. Mike has been guiding these waters for years, and he's got that perfect mix of patience and know-how that makes all the difference between coming home empty-handed and landing the fish of a lifetime. This is a personal, one-on-one fishing adventure where you'll have his undivided attention for up to 5 hours. Whether you're looking to beat your personal best or just want to learn from one of the best guides around, this trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for.

What to Expect on the Water

You're getting Capt. Mike all to yourself for this top-rated fishing experience, which means every decision on the water is tailored to what you want to catch and how you want to fish. He'll pick you up early when the fish are most active, and you'll head straight to the spots that are producing. The beauty of fishing with just one guest is that Mike can adapt on the fly – if you're hooking up on redfish in the shallows, you'll stay put. If the trout are biting deeper, that's where you'll go. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip where you hit the same spots regardless of conditions. Mike reads the water, the weather, and the fish movement to put you on the best action of the day.

Techniques & Tackle

Capt. Mike runs a well-equipped flats boat that can handle everything from skinny water sight fishing to deeper grass flats. He's got all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear perfect for trout and flounder to heavier setups when the big black drum are around. Depending on what's biting, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics through the grass, or sight casting to tailing redfish. Mike knows when to switch up techniques, and he's great at teaching you the little details that make a huge difference – like how to work a jig just right or read the water for fish movement. The boat's equipped with a good fishfinder, but Mike's eyes are usually the best fish-finding tool on board.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Summer is prime time for these flat fish, especially around structure changes and drop-offs. They hit hard and fight with surprising strength for a flatfish. What makes them so fun is the challenge – you've got to get your bait right in their face, and when they bite, you better set that hook fast. Capt. Mike knows exactly where they stack up during summer months, and landing a keeper flounder is always a highlight.

Black Drum are the bulldogs of the flats, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These fish can get massive – we're talking 20, 30, even 40-pound fish that will test your drag and your patience. They love to cruise the shallows looking for crabs and shrimp, and summer brings some of the best black drum fishing of the year. What's really cool about targeting drum is that you often see them before you cast – their dark backs and that distinctive hump are easy to spot in clear water.

Sheepshead are the thieves of the flats, famous for stealing bait with their human-like teeth. But when you figure out how to hook them consistently, they become addictive. These fish hang around any structure – docks, pilings, rocks – and they're incredibly spooky. The trick is getting your bait right to them without spooking the school. Summer sheepshead are chunky and fight harder than you'd expect, plus they make excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few.

Sea Trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are probably the most consistent summer target. They school up over grass flats and around structure, and when you find a good school, the action can be non-stop. What makes trout fishing so enjoyable is the variety – you might catch a dozen keeper-sized fish and then hook into a "gator" trout that's over 25 inches. They're also great on light tackle, so every fish feels like a good fight.

Redfish are the crown jewel of flats fishing, and summer is when they really show off. These copper-colored fighters are incredibly strong, and watching one explode on a topwater bait in shallow water is about as exciting as fishing gets. Reds are smart, too – they'll test every part of your setup from your drag to your knots. What makes them special is how they use their environment, ducking under docks, wrapping you around pilings, or just bulldogging toward the deepest water they can find.

Time to Book Your Spot

This customer favorite trip with Capt. Mike fills up fast, especially during the peak summer months when the fishing is world-class. Having a guide's full attention for 5 hours means you're getting the absolute best shot at your personal best fish, whether that's your first redfish or a trophy trout you've been chasing for years. Mike's local knowledge and dedication to putting his anglers on fish has made this one of the most sought-after trips with Corks And Croakers. Don't wait too long to secure your date – the best fishing days book weeks in advance, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip you'll talk about for years.