It is already July and it’s hot. If you’re fishing low water flats before an incoming tide and your live bait starts dying; keep in mind the low water may be depleted of oxygen as it comes out of the shallow backcountry areas. Wherever low tides last through late afternoon and night especially as water temperatures have climbed through the mid and afternoon heat, the shallow water back country tends to lose its ability to hold oxygen. Therefore, some backcountry flats and pools containing oxygen-depleted water are carried out to your favorite fishing areas during outgoing tides. 

As usual, July remains hot without any degree of relief at least for another couple of months. In spite of the heat, anglers willing to endure high temperatures and humidity can look forward to catching plenty of fish. Everything will be cooperating from tarpon to snapper they will be eating just about anything tossed in their direction.

Snook have remained strong and seem to be everywhere especially around the flats and mangrove shorelines and are willing to take greenbacks and cut baits tossed in their direction. Speaking of greenbacks, they’re everywhere and we should start to see the young fry starting to appear.

Trout as the smaller greenies show up, so do the trout; check the deeper grass flats by free-lining live bait or bouncing an artificial jig along the bottom. Many anglers like using a popping cork with a small split shot to keep the bait down in the current while fishing the grass flats on a moving tide.

Redfish action throughout the bay seems consistent with plenty of slot fish waiting to tug on your line. Trout, snook and redfish usually haunt the same areas often cruising open flats and sandy patches early then moving into the mangrove shade during the day. However, the trout will usually stay on the open grass flats hanging around sandy potholes.

Anglers favoring artificial lures should try topwater action with lures like the MirrOLure Series III S7MR or the Top Dog 74MR, Top Dog Jr. 84MR. Later in the day, soft plastic jerkbaits baits rigged using a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jig head.

Cobia… markers and grass flats especially those holding bait. They also cruise the miles of open grass flats following rays and manatees on the lookout for a quick snack. When fishing open water flats, it’s always a good idea to have a rod and reel rigged for something larger; because you never know when one might slide by.

Tarpon… fishing should continue this month with many moving into the bay. Threadfins, crabs, larger greenbacks are all over Tampa Bay and work very well for tarpon. The Skyway Bridge, Anna Maria, St. Pete Beach, and Egmont Key should be holding plenty of fish this month.

Snapper… The snapper bite in Tampa Bay can be great during the summer. Especially when the small greenies show up; just find a rock pile or bridge and knocker rig a few down on a slower current then get ready. You’ve got to be quick, these fish are quicker than sheepshead and if you feel the bite it’s usually too late. So, keep you line tight and be ready to set the hook for a great dinner.

Mackerel…Tampa Bay is loaded with threadfins and July mackerel fishing should be no exceptional. Just find schools of threadfins or greenbacks, net a few, put out a chum bag, and hold onto your rod and reel. Mackerel fishing means some real excitement on spinning tackle using 50 to 60 pound Seaguar leader and 2/0 long shank hooks.

“Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing” – 813-477-3814 Captain Woody Gore is the area’s top outdoor fishing guide. Guiding and fishing the west central Florida areas for over fifty years; he offers world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Multi-boat Group Charters With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced captains, Captain Woody can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell him what you need and it’s done.  : WWW.CAPTAINWOODYGORE.COM, Email: wgore@ix.netcom.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.