After Alberto we should have plenty of water, but It’s July and already hot and humid. But keep in mind that after any extended rainy period, we usually have plenty of dark water, on the other hand remember if you’re fishing low water. Especially the flats and before an incoming tide keep in mind the waters coming out of the shallow backcountry may be oxygen depleted. So, if you’re fishing live bait be sure to keep an eye on it and when starts swimming in circles, on its side and turning belly up it’s time to get out into deeper fresher waters fast or you’ll be netting more bait. Wherever low tides lasting through the night. Especially as water temperatures climb through mid to late afternoon and evening heat, the shallow backcountry water has a tendency to become oxygen depleted. Therefore, some backcountry inside flats and exclusive mangrove pools might contain oxygen-depleted water carried into your favorite fishing areas during outgoing tides.

As usual, July remains hot without much 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. From Mackerel to Tarpon everything cooperates and eats just about anything from live bait to artificial’s tossed in their direction.

Remember if you’re fishing low water. Especially the flats and before an incoming tide keep in mind the waters coming out of the shallow backcountry may be oxygen depleted. So, if you’re fishing live bait be sure to keep an eye on it and when starts swimming in circles on its side and turning belly up it’s time to get out into deeper fresher waters fast or you’ll be netting more bait. Wherever low tides lasting through the night. Especially as water temperatures climb through mid to late afternoon and evening heat, the shallow backcountry water has a tendency to become oxygen depleted. Therefore, some backcountry inside flats and exclusive mangrove pools might contain oxygen-depleted water carried into your favorite fishing areas during outgoing tides.

As usual, July remains hot without much 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. From Mackerel to Tarpon everything cooperates and eats just about anything from live bait to artificial’s tossed in their direction.

Snook season remains closed. Snook, Redfish and Trout have remained strong through the beginning of summer. Snook seem to be everywhere especially around the flats and mangrove shorelines willing to take greenbacks or artificial lures tossed in their direction. Speaking of greenbacks, they are everywhere one day and then disappear the next day. Sometime shortly the young fry should also start to appear. This means trout on deep water grass flats and mangrove/gray snapper on every rock pile, bridge and bottom structure.

Redfish action throughout the bay seems consistent with a few 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 broken bottom potholes.

Anglers favoring artificial lures should try topwater action with lures like the new MirrOLure Series III S7MR or the Top Dog 74MR, Top Dog Jr. 84MR. Later in the day, soft plastic jerk baits like the favorite Gulp Shad rigged using their new 1/16 or 1/8 oz. heavy hooks practically assure success.

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

Cobia: Markers and sandy broken bottom grass flats especially those holding bait equal Cobia. These fish also frequent markers especially those holding bait. They often cruise the miles of open grass flats following rays and manatees always 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; you never know when one might slide by.

Tarpon: Tarpon fishing should continue this month. Many begin moving offshore to spawn some. Threadfin hearing, crabs, larger greenbacks are all over Tampa Bay and work very well for tarpon. The Skyway Bridge, Anna Maria, St. Pete Beaches, and Egmont Key should be holding plenty of fish this month.

Give Me a Call & Let’s Go Fishing – 813-477-3814 The area’s top outdoor fishing guide, Captain Woody Gore has guided and fished the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, and Sarasota areas for over fifty years; his charters offer world class fishing adventures and a lifetime of memories.

Single or Multi-boat Group Charters are all the same. With years of organizational experience and access to the areas most experienced professional guides and captains, I can arrange and coordinate any outing or tournament. Just tell me what you need and it’s done.  For more information please visit my website at: www.captainwoodygore.com, or email me at fishing@captainwoodygore.com or give him a call at 813-477-3814.