Florida’s weather can pretty predictable this time of year as the summer patterns are here and the fishing is as hot as the temperature at high noon. The afternoon showers build up inland and push their way back to the east, if you can wait them out the last hour before dark can pay off big time.
May and June were awesome months for big redfish in the lagoons; everyone was catching oversized redfish. During July you can expect the fishing to be excellent, go early and work specific areas where there is an abundance of bait. Be on the water at first light is the key to a successful trip on the lagoons during the summer patterns. June was hot but we know July will be hotter and so on.
Large schools of bait will make your artificial lure less desirable than the injured live bait. Throw a top water lure during that first hour of daylight, there is nothing more exciting than a giant trout exploding on slow retrieved top water bait or a redfish climbing all over that same bait. During the mid morning I would recommend throwing soft plastics to locate concentrations of fish, if they decline the artificial then throw the real deal. During the heat of the day look for redfish and trout to move to the edges of the flats where it is a little deeper and the water temperatures are a slightly cooler.
The fly rod angler will find the best window opportunity early morning or late afternoon throwing small flies with longer leaders. Tailing redfish will be the targets, distance and a light presentation will be the key to successful hook ups. There are days when your fly rod is your best weapon.
Tip of the month:
While all the new scented lures are a big plus in stained or cloudy water, in clear water many fish will bite better on a more lifelike realistic lure. Remember all those fish you caught before scented lures? Those lures still catch fish!
Capt Mark
