July is a great month both on and off the water. Besides celebrating our country’s independence it is also a great time to spend time on the water with our friends and family. Many of the fishing opportunities that are available during the summer are ideal for everyone, regardless of experience level. Two examples of these great fisheries are mahi and snapper. Both are great on the dinner table, fun to catch and don’t require a myriad of tackle and expertise.
Before heading out on the water, it is important to make sure that your vessel is in proper working condition and that you’ve packed all of the necessary safety gear. It is also imperative not only to check the forecast but also to keep an eye on the changing conditions as summer weather can be a bit unpredictable. Personally, if given the choice, I usually prefer to plan my trips in the morning when the atmosphere tends to be more stable. Afternoon thunderstorms can be quite common so it is never a bad idea to plan around them. In those instances where I decide to head out in the afternoon, I usually keep plans soft in case we need to start later due to weather. Once these storms pass it can be pretty darn nice out.
If dolphin is your preference, make sure you head out early ahead of the pack. Starting late can be a bit of disadvantage as schools of fish get hit and tend to split up or become finicky. Look for floating debris, weed lines and bird activity. Diving birds are especially helpful in finding hungry schools of mahi or even a couple of slammers. Once fish are located, it is time to bust out the spinners. Jigs, chunk baits and live baits all work well. Personally, I like to offer a jig first, then a chunk and finally a live bait. Doing this will go a long way in keeping the fish interested. It is easy to get carried away when the fish are literally “jumping in the boat”, so don’t forget to measure and count fish as they go in the box. Releasing small or unwanted fish will ensure healthy fish populations in the future.
On those days when you prefer to stay in closer to shore, snapper fishing is another great option. Just like mahi fishing, it doesn’t have to be complicated. The one thing you’ll need is plenty of chum and some bait. Aquatic Nutrition manufactures some alternatives to frozen chum. Check out www.aquaticnutrition.com to learn about their products. Several baits work well but it is a good idea to take along at least two or three options. Some of the best baits are bonito strips, silver sides, shrimp and even squid. The drill here is to anchor up anywhere from 40 – 80 feet of water and chum. How deep you fish will depend on the speed of the current. On heavy current days, it will be much easier to fish shallow and on light current days, you may want to fish a bit deeper. Just like with mahi, make sure to measure and count fish as you go.
Finally, divers will also have something to cheer about in July as lobster season reopens. The two day mini-season will give sport fisherman a head start on the commercial fleet. Again, safety should be everyone’s number one priority. In the past, mini season has been plagued with accidents, injury and even fatalities. Make sure you don’t dive in channels and display a diver down flag at all times. It is also a good idea not to stray too far away from the boat and or the dive flag.
Well, I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading this piece. If you’d like to get in on the action make sure you book your trip early. You can do so via email, call or by text. Also, don’t forget that you can keep up with all of the action by following us on FACEBOOK, Instagram and Twitter. If you prefer to watch some of the action, be sure to check out my YOUTUBE page for the latest video additions.
Tight Lines,
CAPT. ORLANDO MUNIZ
Nomad Fishing Charters
786-266-0171
www.fishingchartermiami.com
SPONSORS AND FRIENDS: Mercury Marine, Bass Pro Shops, Offshore Angler, Baitmasters, Tracker Marine, ACRARTEX, Orca Coolers, XTRATUF, Costa Del Mar, Aquatic Nutrition, AFTCO, and Costa Oil.