JULY ON THE WATER
As we progress into the heat of summer, fishing both inshore and offshore can still be good, just prepare for hot days and keep an eye on the weather. Many anglers prefer to get an early start and off the water ahead of the midday heat and afternoon storms.
Inshore, the mangrove snapper bite will continue to heat up. A variety of baits including shrimp, pilchards, herring, small pinfish, and cut bait will entice fish around docks, piers, bridges, under deeper mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, sand potholes, and rock ledges in and near the passes. Mangrove snapper is one of our tastier fish and fights hard for their size. They make a great summer target. They are leader and hook shy, if the water is clear, it’s often necessary to lighten the tackle. Inshore, I go with 2 feet or more of 12- to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 circle hook or smaller.
The best snook and redfish action will come on days with strong tides. They can often be caught together around docks, shorelines, and structure around the gulf passes, as well as oyster bars and shoreline overhangs on the higher tides. Season for spotted sea trout and redfish is open, while snook season is closed. As the water warms over summer months, some of the better action for trout will come from 4- to 8-foot depths in areas with a grassy or sand/grass mottled bottom.
Calm summer mornings will give good opportunities to run offshore. To the best of my knowledge, American red snapper season is open for the month of July for those willing to make the long run offshore. Please don’t take my word and check regulations before venturing out. It looks like both red and gag grouper seasons are closed.
To get updated on grouper, snapper, redfish, snook, sea trout and all current fishing regulations go to http://www.myfwc.com. Or download the Fish Rules app onto your phone.
Closer to land, wrecks and reefs can be productive with everything from snapper to barracuda to giant goliath grouper. Anchoring up current of structure with a fresh chum bag is preferred. A variety of baits is a good idea as well as an arsenal of rods rigged and ready for light to heavy action.
For fun and fast action offshore, look for bonito and Spanish mackerel harassing bait schools in depths from 30 to 80 feet. Silver spoons or Tuna Jets in various colors can bring instant hookups when trolled around feeding activity. Watch for birds and surface commotion to locate the fish. Also look around the artificial reefs. Spanish mackerel are also plentiful around the gulf passes and inshore around schooling baitfish.
Sharks are another summertime favorite. Varieties of species both large and small are common catches both inshore and off. While they are a nuisance for some, many anglers target them for their fighting ability. Sharks play an important role in our ecosystem; please make every effort to quickly release them unharmed. Every kid loves to catch a shark of any size, now is a good time, just make sure and do it safely for both the angler and the shark.
For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 410-8576, website: http://www.fishpineisland.com, email: [email protected].
Capt. Bill Russell is a native and lifelong resident of Pine Island who has spent his entire life fishing the waters surrounding Pine Island and Southwest Florida. For the past 29 years, Bill has been a professional fishing guide who takes pride in customizing each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. Come join us and “Catch the Action.”
