July inshore fishing report for 2012:
I'm back on the flats fishing for everything that lives there; trout, reds, bluefish, ladyfish and much more. Flats fishing with artificials is what I like to do and what many of my clients enjoy. A lot of my clients are bass fishermen, and bass fishing is very similar to inshore fishing, so they feel right at home. July 2012 came in with some hot temps; 96 –98 degrees with heat indexes around 105 –118. To avoid these very hot temps in the afternoon I've been hitting the flats very early starting around 5am –5:30 and I'm off the water by 10am.
Even though it's been hot, don't let that keep you inside watching fishing shows on the tube; DVR them for rainy days or evening viewing, and get out early for that early morning bite.
When the water heats up like it does in the mid summer, techniques don't change much from fall and spring fishing. You just have to really keep a close eye on the tides and try to match the hatch when you're fishing a specific area. If you see mullet jumping, toss out a MirrOlure Catch 2000 Jr. in mullet color or even better try the new Paul Brown MirrOlure with brown/pink metal flake. These two lures have proven some quality catches on the flats. On a few of my last trips I've spotted some redfish pushes, so make sure you have a rod rigged with a ¼ oz jig with Berkley Gulp 3" Shrimp or 5" Jerk Shad.
Along with trout and reds on the flats, my clients have been battling some big bluefish. These toothy critters can make a drag sing for sure. Just make sure if you're in bluefish country to step up your leader to 40lb mono, if not you'll lose a few lures and that can get costly.
The gulf has been a little sloppy the past few days and over the last week or two, so that's why I'm back on the flats. I enjoyed getting out fishing for the infamous American red snapper, but like I said earlier, the flats is where I like to be. Watching the sun come up over the horizon with the sound of mullet jumping and having a gator trout smash my lure is what's it's all about.
Check back in a few days for more pics and what's been going on here on our beautiful gulf coast.
Tight Lines.
Capt. John
