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!

Great fishing conditions have arrived as weeks of warm temperatures and consistent sunshine have made the fishery come alive. With bait prevalent across the water, predatory fish are eagerly on the chase. Anglers now have a full host of options as seasonal species arrive to complement our traditional staples of redfish and trout.

Fishing for redfish remains highly productive, and using blue crab on the bottom is proving to be a standout technique. To prepare the bait, remove the shell and legs before cutting the body in half. You should thread a size 3/0 circle hook through the hole where the flipper fin used to be, ensuring the hook point is fully exposed. There is no need to keep the rod in your hands, as it is often more effective to leave it in a rod holder. Once the rod begins to bend, resist the urge to pick it up until the drag starts screaming.

We are also finding consistent trout action on artificial lures, which offers an excellent alternative to traditional popping corks. Small plastics that mimic baitfish are getting crushed, with the Z-Man 3 ¾” StreakZ in Smoky Shad being an exceptional choice. When paired with an 1/8oz jighead, these lures work best when moved slowly through the water column. Anglers should note that trout will usually strike when the lure is lifted in a steady jigging motion.

The flounder bite is picking up momentum as well. While we have been catching many fish using mud minnows under a popping cork, the traditional method of fishing finger mullet along the bottom near structure remains a prime technique. It is important to move the bait slowly and wait a few seconds after feeling a bite before setting the hook.

Finally, ladyfish are becoming increasingly present as the water temperatures rise. These lively fish are incredibly entertaining due to their hard runs and acrobatic jumps. They will readily strike bait under a popping cork and are often found in the same spots as trout. One of my favorite summertime species!

It’s an excellent time to get out on the water. Local waterways are full of baitfish, and gamefish are feeding aggressively. With all the summer species now present alongside the usual favorites, anglers have plenty of choices. If you haven’t started fishing yet, now is the perfect opportunity!

When going after redfish, live bait is especially effective. Menhaden is a top option, whether used whole or cut. Many anglers are finding success by casting chunks of menhaden beneath docks. Be sure to use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom so it stays in place and avoids snags. Split shot weights are a good option since they can be easily adjusted by adding or removing them as needed.

Early mornings offer great topwater action for trout. Lures like the Heddon Super Spook Jr. in silver hues perform well, though chartreuse and black is another strong choice. Try changing your retrieve speed as you move the lure across shell beds and grassy shorelines. When a fish hits, reel in the slack before lifting your rod. After the surface bite slows down, switching to a suspended twitch bait can help keep the action going.

Sharks are also active, with species such as bonnetheads, sharpnose, and blacktips commonly found in the area. You may spot their fins as they hunt along riverbanks or search for food near drop-offs in harbors and inlets. Effective bait options include blue crab, cut bait, and live shrimp. Using 7/0 circle hooks is recommended. Set your rods in holders and be ready for a strong, sudden strike!