Long time regulars, Dan and Dani joined me in the morning to fish a nice falling tide. Popping corks and mud minnows were the choice of the day. Dani hooked a very nice red on her first cast and I knew it would be a good trip. Dan followed up shortly with two reds of his own, including one with five spots on one side. We also caught trout up to 18″. Before we knew it, it was time to head home. As always, great work by both and another productive charter!
July can be one of the most productive months of the year for fishing. The combination of year-round targets like redfish and trout with summer seasonal species like sharks, ladyfish, and spanish mackerel makes for an incredibly active fishery. Anglers can expect plenty of action across all tides!
Fishing for redfish has been fantastic. While the massive schools have broken up, you can still find pods of 10 to 20 fish patrolling the water. Setting up a scent trail and offering an easy meal is a guaranteed recipe for success. We typically fish cracked blue crab or live mullet on the bottom, using just enough weight to hold it stationary. Rig these up with 3/0 circle hooks and a heavy leader, and hold on!
As for trout, popping corks paired with live bait are the way to go. Lately, we’ve been relying on mud minnows, as pesky baitfish will steal live shrimp right off your hook in seconds. Choose a popping cork that is easy to cast and highly visible. Oval corks carry more weight and cast farther, while orange stands out much better than green or yellow when there is a chop on the water. Cast your rig into areas with good current, and you’ll be on the trout in no time.
Spanish mackerel are also plentiful right now and are best targeted at first light. If you spot a school busting bait on the surface, toss a reflective casting jig and reel it rapidly through the frenzy. Be sure to maneuver your boat gradually around the perimeter of the school, as motoring directly through them will spook the fish and send them deep. If you know the mackerel are around but aren’t showing on top, try trolling Clark Spoons at varying depths and speeds until you find the sweet spot.
See you on the water!
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