Many complain about the hot days of summer, but if you are an angler the sun can help you fish.

An old legend says "never fish with the sun on your back." This is to keep your shadow from falling on the water. Perhaps the person who started this tale thought the fish would be dazzled by the sun in their eyes and jump at the bait. Anglers advise dropping your bait where the sun is shining and a fish will jump at the bait every time.

Some avid anglers swear by this theory but others say the fish bite best in the shade.

Avid anglers say polarized sun glasses are a must for fishing in the sun. They protect your eyes and are great for peering into the water for schools of fish.

Proper attire can keep fisherman cooler. A cap or hat will protect your head and eyes. A light colored shirt will keep you cooler. Also taking off your shirt, dunking it in the water and putting it back on will keep you cool. So will wrapping a wet towel around your neck.

I asked one angler how he fished in the hot sun and what he did to keep cool out there. He replied, "I just jump overboard and take a swim." I hope he does this after he has made his catch. I don’t see how he could catch a fish after jumping overboard. Wouldn’t this scare all the fish away?

One pipe smoker says he doesn’t bother with lures. He just takes a pipe cleaner and winds it around his hook and it makes the best lure you can buy.

A common old safety pin can be a useful item for the tackle box. No, not to pin up your shorts. Use it as an emergency line guide or bend it for an emergency hook.

Take sardines for emergency bait, you can always eat them if you are hungry.

Don’t take bananas to munch on as they attract mosquitoes. Even after you have eaten one the little varmints will get you.

If you are going fishing and pass a field of cows lying down, turn around and go back home. Seasoned fishermen say the fish don’t bite when the cows are lying down. The fishing is bad also when there is a circle around the moon.

There is a myth about the barefoot boy who catches more fish than the properly equipped angler. He caught a dozen fish with a pole, a string and a safety pin. This proves that it isn’t the equipment but knowledge of the waters and where to go fishing that really makes the difference.

Fish have small brains, but ironically man seems to do mental overtime trying to outsmart them.

Many of the boats coming in have redfish catches. They are in the waters of the Alafia, the Little Manatee, Bishop Harbor and Cockroach Bay.

Some outstanding cobia catches are being made in our waterways.

The tarpon are jumping and soaring into the air around the Skyway Bridge. Some have been sighted around the boat channels. Remember a stamp on your license is required to catch one of these giants.

Permit are being boated along with some oversized flounder. Grouper catches are still being made and the usual catches of sheepshead, black drum and catfish are being made from the piers.

Bass and fresh water catfish are being boated in the upper fresh waters of the rivers.

Aleta Jonie Maschek has been a member of Florida Outdoor Sports Writers since 1986.

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