Hello anglers! July is here and happy Independence Day everyone! This month we will experience the very warmest water temperatures Mother Nature has to offer for our area. The fish migrations will be in full force. We have more species here this time of year than at any other time.
BAY: If you like fishing the shallows, get out early and late. Water temperatures will be pushing 90 degrees in some areas of our bay system this month. I like to toss plugs as the sun rises and go to live bait as it warms up. There will be plenty of bait to cast net, or you can buy live shrimp to fish under a cork. Trout and redfish will be all over the flats but can be very tough to catch at mid-day, especially if the tides aren’t moving. I also like to toss live shrimp, crabs, and small bait fish around docks and other structures this month. Redfish will frequent these areas and you just might be rewarded by a hungry school of mangrove snapper. I prefer slip sinker rigs for inshore structure fishing. Always keep your eyes peeled in the bay this month. I have hooked cobia, tarpon, and others that I really wasn’t expecting in July. Think it through the night before and try to have a rod rigged for everything.
GULF: There are many snapper and grouper to be caught on reefs. The real battle for many will be getting the baits past the trigger fish. I have found that tougher baits such as squirrel fish, pinfish, and finger mullet tend to survive that drop to the bottom better. Cut bonito and others hooked through the skin give you a better shot before you are stripped clean; heavier leads can also help. If you’re fishing up close, be sure to lighten and lengthen that leader in the clear water. Trolling should be fantastic this month. You can’t beat a triple hook duster with a cigar minnow at 3-4 mph in between bottom destinations. Keep an eye out for those mahi as well, they often simply swim up to the boat out there. I keep a couple small rods up top for this occasion. Spoons, gotcha plugs, or small hooks with natural baits will all produce.
SURF: Sharks will be everywhere! Adjust your bait size according to your gear. Just about any fresh cut bait on the bottom in the surf will produce a tight line this month; don’t forget that steel leader on the business end. Live shrimp, crabs and sand fleas will produce tasty table fare because pompano, whiting , redfish and many others will be schooling on the beaches. Rig these a little lighter with 20 lb. fluorocarbon leaders for more bites.
Thanks for reading and fish on!
CAPT. JASON SHINGLER
Adrenaline On H20
Panama City, FL
(850) 348-2282