[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ummertime is fishing time, and July rolls out the toasty fish carpet warmed by the Florida sun, which will be effortlessly, shining on overtime for this month`s offshore ventures. Very hot days, and very light winds will typify the eastern shores of Martin County—flat, user friendly seas will allow all fishermen to explore the inner and outer perimeters of their local zone and will lend themselves to unlimited strategy options for the fishing crews of July.
“Grocery” collecting fishermen will target mahi, king mackerel, snapper, and grouper during these sweltering, summer days, by posting up on color and temperature changes, weed and current edges, and bottom structure. Mahi and kings will be found on these edges and changes, along with a summer body of sailfish, that will periodically make a showing this month.
Artificial and naturally occurring bottom structures will be home to a multi specie array of snapper and grouper.
Mangrove and mutton snapper will be at the top of the fish hit list and will be found in many depths, especially from 70-to-90 feet of water from east of Jensen Beach all the way down to the Loran Tower Ledge, east of Hobe Sound and Tequesta. Live baits, especially sardines and cigar minnows will be the premier and best baits to insure success for representatives of the tasty, snapper family.  Try these shiny baits in dead form too, as these bottom dwellers will reveal their opportunistic side, by eating a wide variety of whole and/or cut baits, especially tomtates (also known as grunts). Grunt plugs and grunt heads, artistically cut by bottom fishermen are a favorite snack of large mutton snapper and gag groupers. Put these cut grunts on long leaders of 20-to-50 feet in length and present them on the inner and outer contours of the reef line for the best fish catching results.
The fishing crews of July will need to continue being summertime vigilant in terms of monitoring the hourly progression of the day`s weather. Intense daytime heating will bring the potential for strong afternoon thunderstorms. Try to keep abreast of daily weather forecasts and radar signatures to make safe and informed decisions on one`s fishing plans. As always during the days of the forever, Florida summer, start your fishing day as early in the morning as one can and get your fish catching job done early!
