Slow-trolling live bait is the top tactic. Some anglers cast-net a live-well full of menhaden on the beach on the way out, but local experts prefer Sabiki rigs to gather live bait on the wrecks themselves, feeling that those minnows offer a more natural presentation.

Don't be surprised if a sailfish shows up, as has become much more common in recent years.

Alternatives: This month, tarpon are working the outside edge of the flats on the ocean side of the Middle Keys, and flyfishermen have an excellent chance of tangling with one.

Look for cobia to be prowling the outer flats off Cedar Key. A rising tide moves them in, but sometimes offers dirtier water and tough sight-fishing conditions. Local anglers prefer the falling tide because of its clearer water.

JULY
Bonefish:
Florida Keys
The weather may be hot, but from Key Largo to Cudjoe Key, the bonefish action can be superb, as rising waters bring the speedsters onto shallow flats to feed.

The best action comes on a rising tide during the morning or evening hours. Savvy anglers have found that the ocean side often produces more bones, while the bay side generally produces larger fish.

Regardless of which side you choose, a smaller skimmer-type hair jig tipped with a piece of fresh shrimp is a top tool for spin-fishermen. Fly-anglers can chose from among a number of crab-imitating patterns. Quality polarized sunglasses are a must, as you must locate the fish visually before the cast.

Alternatives: Grouper are invading the shallow ledges off Venice, allowing even small boaters to get into big- time bottom-fishing action.

Look for numbers of wahoo, along with some big ones, to be roaming the coast just a relatively short run out of Ponce Inlet near Daytona.

AUGUST
Tarpon:
St. Lucie River
Every July, schools of big tarpon take up residence in the St. Lucie River, and they aren't hard to find. Local experts run the river quickly and look for a school of rolling, feeding fish. The peak action generally occurs during the early morning hours.

Once fish are found, you can entice them to artificial lures like 7-inch hard plastic jerkbaits or plastic grubs, but live mullet in the 5- to 12-inch range are normally more effective. These tarpon may run anywhere from 15 to 180 pounds, so an appropriate selection of tackle is important.

Alternatives: Snook are roaming the beaches and passes of Marco Island. Top action is early and late in the day, although the truly big snook often feed best at night.

Anglers working the bycatch dump of shrimp boats off the St. Augustine beaches find plenty of tarpon in the 80- to 180-pound range this month.

SEPTEMBER
Sunshine Bass:
Lake Seminole
This can be an exciting month for surface-schooling action on Old Sem, as sunshine bass drive shad schools to the surface and rip into them.

Experienced anglers concentrate their efforts at the lower end of the lake near the dam, paying particular attention to mid-lake sandbars. Over these shallow bars, sunshines can easily trap shad schools moving from deeper water.

A set of binoculars helps, as does watching for bird activity. Long-casting spinning gear is an asset, as is a selection of shad-imitating lures like spoons, small crankbaits, and plastic jigs. Peak action is often during the morning and evening, and can be furious while it lasts. Most fish run 6 pounds or less, but fish up to 20 pounds have been taken.