So here we are smack dab in the middle of our Summer. I’ll give you the forecast for the entire month, Partly cloudy with a 60% percent chance of rain and highs in the low 90’s. Of course, the feels like temperature will hover from ninety in the morning to the low hundreds in the afternoon. With this said the early bird gets the worm this month, as well as those fishing the dock lights and bridges at night.
Expect a lot of good fishing in our back bays and estuaries all month. The key is being out usually before sunrise hitting those fishing holes till about 10am. We have got a full moon in the beginning of the month so as it wans out the mid month tides should produce fantastic morning and nighttime tides. Those anglers that choose to fish during the day, drink lots of fluids and pick strong tides to fish, otherwise it will be tough.
Snook fishing along the beaches will be good through August as lots of schools of white bait will be moving up and down them all month. Anglers that plan the trips based on Easterly winds will have the most fun, as they will be sight fishing often. Tarpon will also be found along the beaches, sometimes able to be caught by land anglers. Trout, mackerel, ladyfish, redfish, and jacks should round out your bycatch
Those going out deep this month will probably be in a bit closer than last as red snapper fishing season is now over. Those that do get out past 120 feet will target groupers, an assortment of snappers, as well as the occasional tunas and mahis. There has been a few sightings of sailfish as well as wahoo as of late so be ready for either as when the chance comes, you’ll have to be ready.
Nearshore anglers continue to chase tarpon around from 12-45 feet of water. These schools have spawned already so they should be hungry when you find them. Threadfin herring, catfish tails, crabs, and even pinfish will work well. Typically, I will use 50# leader and 5/o circle hooks either free lined or corked. Permit reports have been good for those that are getting out past 40 feet. The wrecks that have been inside of that mark do have them, just not as prevalent. Barracudas, mackerel, bonito, and goliath groupers will typically be found in the same areas.
Tight lines, Capt. Greg Stamper
Snookstampcharters.com Fort Myers beach, Fl
239-313-1764