[dropcap]J[/dropcap]uly brings heat and thunderstorms and your best shot at a tarpon. The snook have moved into the inlets and the beach. Best time to catch these fish are low light times morning or just at sunset. The season is closed, so I only use plugs and soft baits and get them in as soon as I can. These fish are spawning so donít want to stress them more than I have to. Bridges like Jensen Beach and Stuart hold fish as long as the tide is moving, so make sure you fish the tides. Plugs that have always caught fish for me are Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows, Sebille Live Shad, D.O.A. Cal and Rapala X-Raps tied to 30-pound leader.
Tarpon have just moved into our area. Most of these fish are off the beach about 50 yards, but with the incoming tide, you can catch them from the beach. Jumped ten this week, landed one, so keep trying. This fish knows how to throw a plug or live bait. Best beaches for action are Walton Rocks Beach, Tiger Shores, and Bath Tub Reef Beach. Rod needs to be stiff rated between 30 and 50 with a reel that holds at least 250 yards of 30-pound braid. Fin-Nor makes a great reel for 100 bucks. Iíve tested the Lethal and it holds up great. Permit can be caught at Walton Rocks; use a jig with a piece of shrimp and hold on. Sight fishing is a must to target these, so get a good pair of polarized glasses. Have a great Fourth–tight lines!
Chris Beachwalker.