[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith the heated water temperatures, a lot of the pelagic have thinned out and moved on their way north. July is a month to look deeper into the water column for the great snapper bite. The Treasure coat has many species to catch but the main three to target will be mangrove, mutton and during the three weekend season, American red snapper (ARS).
These fish will be near reefs from the beach out to the ledge in 90-foot and beyond. The bite, which already started in June, will heat up in July. These fish are great on the table and fun for all ages. These fish eat almost any dead or cut bait and will even eat a live sardine or greenie.
PHOTO CREDIT: LottaBull Fishing Charters.
You will find the mangrove and ARS close to the reefs and structure, whereas you will normally find the muttons in the sandy areas away from the structure.
I highly recommend using chum in the water to bring these fish into a good feeding mood. I don’t really recommend a specific type of rod and reel to use, just something that is rated for at least 20-pounds. I do recommend braided line at 20-pounds to feel the bite if these fish are biting lightly. Attach about four- to six-feet of 30-pound fluorocarbon leader, some people recommend up to 20-feet for muttons. Fluorocarbon is thinner and less for these fish to see. Use
just enough weight to hold bottom and you will want a strong #4 circle hook or live bait hook.
These fish will turn the bite of quickly, so have a couple different baits available to change up when this happens. If you don’t mind venturing out at night, the bite can be explosive and the temperature should be cooler than during the day.
Amberjack, also known as ìReef Donkeysî will be found around deeper wrecks and reefs. Amberjack are a great battle and taste great smoked or grilled. To catch these fish you will need a stout rod with good backbone. For a reel, get one with a good drag but not too much weight to fight these monsters of the deep. I prefer using 60-pound braid because it has no stretch, with 60-pound fluorocarbon leader. On the end of the leader tie on either a 6/0 or 8/0 circle hook with
a big blue runner for bait or a 7- to 8-ounce butterfly jig. Amberjack canít resist a nice size bluerunner swimming around their territory in distress.
Jigging with a butterfly jig will produce a reaction strike when the amberjack sees it. Whichever method you try, hold on and have fun.
Please check size limits and regulations for these and all fish you plan to keep!