I have an 18ft center console Sea Pro that I have taken out of Port A for fishing the oil rigs on a couple of occasions. I really love it but can only venture out when the seas are relatively flat.
Can you guys please comment on when the best time is for flat seas? I always thought it was August or September but the season ends before then, correct? Thanks for your input

Ed,

Of course the seas can drop at any time, but the most reliable time for reasonable seas is the last two weeks of July and first couple of weeks of August...depending of course on Hurricane situation. Late July is the prime time, in my experience. As the sun angle begins to change and the days shorten somewhat, I've always noted less fish and that usually begins to be a factor in late August. You can still find scattered fish through Sept. and later, depending on weather, but the numbers begin to decline in late August as the sun angle changes.

Meadowlark, Thanks for the reply. With the Federal SEason ending on August 5th I guess I'd better head down to Port A toward the end of July and hopefully the seas will be flat. I have been lucky during the last two years I have found the seas relatively flat, almost like a lake. It made for fairly easy going in my Sea Pro. If I remember correctly there was a nice rig about 12 miles straight out from the jettys at Port A.
It is really a lot of fun if the seas are calm.

Ed,
If you want kingfish the stand pipe rigs, just offshore 4-5 miles are a sure thing most days. Anchored ships visible from the beach are very consistent but it’s a morning bite, over by 9am or so. Drifting ribbon fish will work on both. Another fun thing to do is troll just offshore for Spanish mackerel and bonita under feeding gulls. Use a gold 2’’- 2/12’’Clark spoon (bass pro shops has them) and small feather jigs. Let out a lot of line, circle the school and pull the lure over them fast and hold on.
KQT

KQT that sounds like a lot of fun for heavy fighting fish. Although I prefer snapper for eating.

Ed
I love snapper too. Fresh fried Spanish mac are hard to beat and snapper and ling love bonita strips.

KQT