The early bird will get the worm in July`s near coastal fishing zone, as anglers watch for natural fireworks in the summer sky above their offshore playing field this month. Early departures from the dock will be one of the key components to fishing success, as daytime heating and the convergence of sea breeze frontal boundaries will have the potential to form daily afternoon thunderstorms that often possess dangerous lightning and extreme wind conditions, which create hazardous boating scenarios. Offshore fishing crews must check local, daily weather forecasts and current radar signatures before launching and then maintain a vigilant, wary eye to the sky for looming weather while fishing. Check local radar loops (which can be accessed on smart phones) and tune into regional weather broadcasts and statements on shipboard VHF radios to stay abreast of changing or threatening weather signs in the local atmosphere. Know your boat`s limitations in case of fast moving weather events and adjust your fishing strategies accordingly, which could mean things like fishing nearer to the inlet and/or cutting the fishing day short due to uncertain or menacing forecasts and conditions.
Once offshore and fishing, the anglers of July will want to steer towards the many wrecks and reefs east of Martin County. Fishing around bottom is the common thread that runs through most successful fishing strategies, as these reef structures provided food and shelter for untold amounts of saltwater species. A simultaneous strategy of bottom fishing for snapper and grouper, while deploying surface or flat line baits will be the go to fishing technique for near coastal anglers. King mackerel and mahi will be attracted to surface areas in the water column just above these reefs and will regularly eat shiny dead baits, as well as live bait offerings. Grouper will continue to be high on the fish wish hit list, as the “catch and keep” season for these tasty, bottom brawlers continues this month. Large grouper will be best located on reef structures from 120- to 180-feet this month. Live bait offerings at the base of these reef structures will yield the best results for a grouper bite. Snapper fishing, especially for mangrove and mutton, will also continue to be as hot as the July sun. A pretty class of mangrove snapper (from 3-to-8 pounds) will inhabit a lengthy swath of reef line in 70- to 80-feet of water from the Loran Tower Ledges, north to reef locations East of Jensen Beach. For sturdy mangrove snapper, fish dead or live sardines (or cigar minnows) tight to the reef profile. Various cut baits, such as grunt plugs, will also prove to be irresistible to these tackle savvy snapper. Mutton snapper will be found along this same reef line in a similar depth and fall to the same baits deployed for the mangos. Use a longer leader presentation and deploy baits on the outer contours of the reef`s “footprint” (in the sand), to entice and hook larger and trophy size mutton snapper.
So in July, show your independence from sleep. Get up at the crack of dawn and leave the dock early to insure that one gets a jump on the summertime pattern of “afternoon weather” and get your fishing job done early!
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