Ninety-degree weather and summertime humidity are part of July fishing. This means extra precautions when it comes to heat exhaustion. Keep yourself hydrated with plenty of fluids. Heat exhaustion grabs you when least expected and is sometimes fatal if not treated immediately. When out fishing or boating this summer remember to drink plenty of fluids. Conversely, those fluids should not contain alcohol if you are operating a vessel.
Provided you can stand the heat and if the past couple of months is an indication July should be great. We can expect water temperatures to climb high into the eighties and low nineties especially in shallow water. Fish often feed early on open grass flats moving into the mangroves as things heat up. Throughout the bay deeper cuts and washes around and through grass flats, mangrove islands, oyster bars and shady mangrove shores offer good mid-day targets.
New Laws Take Affect July 1 and Sept. 1, 2006
The FWC passed a new regulation, which takes effect July 1, 2006. The new regulation requires that certain fish be measured using the "TOTAL LENGTH MEASUREMENT" method. With the fish lying on its side, measure the straight-line distance from the most forward point of the head with mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together. This new rule affects Snook, Tarpon, Grouper, Spotted Sea Trout, Snapper, Redfish, Black Drum, Flounder, Sheepshead and several other species. For a more detailed list visit: (http://www.myfwc.com/marine/Fishing_Measurement.htm).
Florida anglers take note, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission added one inch to the minimum size for snook when the season reopens starting September 1, 2006. The FWC approved a rule increasing the snook minimum size from the previous 26 inches to the new minimum of 27 inches total length. The Commission did not change the 34-inch maximum size limit for snook.
Snook
Depending on tides and lunar phases, snook usually spawn from May through early September and based on climate and temperature release gametes during late afternoon and early evening hours. Individual females may spawn every two days releasing over a million eggs per occurrence. For that reason, handle with care; revive quickly returning them gently to the water. Coastal rivers and major inlets identified as spawning locations will see hundreds of fish returning each year to the same location.
Snook fishing is going gangbusters with nice fish caught on both live bait and artificial lures. This should continue through the summer. Early mornings, moving quietly along grass flats, should produce excellent action on topwater lures. Bait and lure presentation is critical so remember… out in front… not behind or on top. You will find them almost everywhere along the southeast shore from and including the Alafia River to Joe Island. Weedon Island, Picnic Islands, Simmons Park, Bishop Harbor, Miguel Bay, Tierra Verde, Pass a Grille and Boca Ciega offer good snook fishing. Live bait favorites include green backs, threadfins, pinfish and grunts.
Redfish
Redfish are not particular and found almost everywhere in the bay area. Many times right along with snook. Fishing the southeast shore from Palm River, Alafia River, Kitchen, Apollo Beach Simmons Park, Cockroach Bay, Bishops Harbor, and Joe's Island all the way into Sarasota Bay should produce plenty of action. In North Tampa, Redfish cruise the northern shores of Double Branch and Rocky Creek to Palm Harbor. Expect good early morning topwater action along grass flats and mangrove shores. Work both incoming and outgoing tides.
Spotted Sea Trout
Trout is fair, not as strong as in cooler water temperatures but plenty of fish. Look for fair size Trout anywhere on Tampa Bay grass flats especially deeper edges. Pinellas Point Flats, Veterans Flats, and Joes Island offer some good trout fishing. Live shrimp and greenbacks under a popping cork are good rigs. But free-lined shrimp in sandy potholes might produce some larger gators and the occasional flounder. Trout are easily damaged and should be handled at a minimum if you're releasing them. Expect some good action on the same top water baits used for Redfish. Once the sun starts heating the flats it's a good bet you'll need to move toward deeper grass like those along Tarpon Key, Ft. Desoto, Point Pinellas or anywhere with grass in the 4 to 6 foot range.
Cobia
Cobia will be traveling the flats and open water, sometime as singles or groups and normally always behind large Rays. Keep your eyes peeled, toss your bait close and the battle begins.
Tarpon
Diehard Tarpon anglers should check the beaches and bridges. Threadfins, crabs and larger scaled sardines should do nicely. Toss them directly into the path of rolling poon's and hang on. Beach fishing for Tarpon means you will be out with other boats so consideration is important. Do not chase them if they get by you. Quietly pull out and away, travel further down in front of them, turn back and wait, they will come to you. If you chase them, it ruins it for everyone… in all probability, someone will yell at you.
Bridge Tarpon are always fun. Be ready with your anchor line and buoy to cast off and give chase. Common Courtesy - Tarpon Fishing the Bridge: If you see someone anchored, fishing an incoming or outgoing tide, at the bridge, chances are they have been chumming in hopes of getting the fish close enough to cast too. Be courteous and not pull in behind them just because you see fish. At times, the anchored angler worked for hours getting those fish in place. Now you pull up, hookup and scare the others.
Mackerel & Bluefish
If you are looking for some great light-tackle action look, no further Tampa Bay is full of threadfins and that means Mackerel and Bluefish. Drift the bait schools or anchor around a marker tossing out a white bait or threadfin, and hang on. Shinny artificial lures like silver spoons also work. You must use some type of wire leader or coffee colored single strand with a swivel and short shank hook.
Offshore
Expecting the weather to remain hot, warm water temperatures will affect the near-shore/offshore bite. According to top offshore guide Capt. Randy Rochelle (www.islandercharters.com) it will push, the fish further offshore. Randy reports good catches of grouper, snapper, and Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) the 110 to 140 foot depth and expects it to continue through July. Also expect large Mangrove Snapper action at night from 50 feet on out, especially around the full moon.
Capt. Woody Gore
Capt. Woody Gore has fished Florida for over 50 years and offers guided fishing charters around Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Clearwater. Visit his website: WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM to book a trip or call: Cell: 813-477-3814 Office: 813-982-2034