July…Flying Around with Capt. Lee: July 2011

Hard to believe that July is upon us already. Fishing on the inside and near shore will be fireing off and all sorts of things will be biting.

Tarpon will be passing the coast and stopping at the inlets along the way, moving in each day to feed and hang out. Croakers Mullets and Spots are great choices for baits. A good stiff rod loaded with 40 pound line and some 80 pound fluorocarbon leader will do the job for you. I like a good 8 ought circle hook and remember not to set the hook and to point the rod to the Tarpon when it jumps.

Sails will push to the beach and at times can be found near the sea buoys of the inlets. Same rod you use for the Tarpon will work here but troll with “Split bill” and skipping ballyhoo is my choice here. I like 6 or 7 ought thin wire circles or 7 ought Mustad keel weighted hooks for them. With circles, use a light drags and point the rod at the fish and slowly lift the rod for the best hook set.

On the inside, I feel like a broken record here. Drum on the flats and docks. Flounder are on Porgies and “Finger Mullet”. On the rising tide, they will move to marsh edges and on the fall. Look for then at the creek mouths as they will wait for the bait to fall out.

Speckle Trout are still on topwater. I find them over shell bottoms with current and bait, places where I find Flounder.

Croakers and Pigfish abound now and make for great kids trips. I like a very light rod, split shot and a gold hooked with a small piece of cut Squid for bait. Low tides, last couple hours of the fall and first couple of the rise for me are the best. I target Oyster Rocks, with narrow channels. Find a dock with a Oyster Rock and a deep channel and you should find Black Drum in the mix. A 100 fish plus in a 1/2 day will keep your kids busy and will provide you and them with a ton of fun and some good table fair.

As always, stay safe out there and watch for the other guy as more than likely, they are not looking out for you!