Permit and big snook rank right at the top my list of favorite fish to catch in July! Permit can be caught in all Florida waters, as well as, the Bahamas and Caribbean. Here on Florida’s west coast, I target nearshore and offshore wrecks and reefs. Occasionally, we catch them around the passes in May, June and July on the full and new moon tide phases while they search for crabs flushing on the outgoing tides. Stalking permit on the flats is mostly a Florida Keys thing; but, is very exciting and something you should consider doing for sure.
Permit as large as 40 to 50-pounds are possible, with fish in the 15 to 25-pound range much more common. Small live crabs are by far the best bait. Dead pieces of crab will also work and they have been known to take a live shrimp. Small hooks on light leader work best. I use my 30-pound class Bull Bay spinning rods with a fast tip and team it up with a Quantum Smoke 50 spinning reel with 30-pound Spiderwire Ultracast Invisabraid and a 25 or 30-pound fluorocarbon leader. The offshore water in the summer is often times very clean; so, dropping down to even a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader can help at times. You may lose a few; but, getting bit sometimes is the hardest part.
The beach is where I stalk my big snook, as this is the time of year they go there to spawn. Big snook in the 40-inch class are getting harder to catch these days on Florida’s west coast. July on the beach is probably your best bet! Live free-lined pilchards, threadfin herring or pinfish will all work well. Threadfins are my favorite, as the oily flesh seems to really attract the big ones this time of year.
Normally, the water in July is very clean; so, try to use as light a leader as you can. A 25 to 30-pound fluorocarbon leader is my normal go to. You want a rod with some back bone, as really big snook will battle you, and the sand-paper-like mouth will wear through your leader. So, getting them to the boat as quickly as you can is a must. Target the passes and areas of good moving water for best results.
Add permit and big snook to your summer catch list! They’re both a great fight and will leave you with fish memories for a lifetime!
Catch Capt. Michael Anderson every Saturday morning on News CH8 at 6:30am for the Reel Animals Fishing Show, Saturdays for Reel Animals Saturday on 970WFLA from 6:00am to 8:00am and Sunday mornings on AM620 for the TA Mahoney Co. Reel Animals Radio Show from 7am to 9am. Or, to book a trip call 1-866-Gamefish.