Fishing inshore in July is always an excellent month to target trophy sized snook, large tarpon, big jacks, & black drum. Trophy sized snook fishing near local inlets will be best using live bait. Heavier tackle is suggested. A short quick fight on these large breeding fish will ensure a safe release. Try to avoid using to light of tackle. Light tackle wears the fish out, once they become to exhausted they tend to float away & get picked off by sharks. Keep this in mind when targeting snook during the summer spawn. Tarpon are holding in good numbers along local beaches & in the river around large schools of bait. Trolling baits around the edges of bait fish schools is an effective way to target these inshore giants. Black drum are holding around any of our local bridges. Shrimp on a jig head worked along the bottom is a great way to bring a few home for dinner. Also Sheepshead & tripletail now have updated regulations. Tripletail- 18″ min size. Sheepshead- same size (12″) lower bag limit 8 per person. https://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2018/april/26/sheepshead-tripletail/
Fishing nearshore has been excellent this week. Mahi, Kingfish, Snapper, & cobia are lingering around schools of baitfish. Lots of greenies are along local beaches, which is a good sign for fishing nearshore. Cobia, kingfish, mahi are all holding around nearshore wrecks this week. Snappers are on nearshore reefs. Bottom fishing with cut bait is a sure fire way to bring a few home to the fryer. Tarpon & permit are roaming the beaches too. Freelining crabs or greenies will give you ample opportunity to catch a few of these prized fish along the beach & on local nearshore wrecks.
Mahi fishing remains strong in 1500′. Trolling inshore in 150-300′ you can expect plenty of bonita, sails, kingfish, & blackfin tuna. Smaller tuna are holding good in 300′. Bottom fishing remains steady for snapper, grouper, seabass, triggerfish, & porgies. Bottom fishing 70-180′ should produce a variety of species. Keep a cobia jig onboard as well. A few have been roaming in 70-90′ over the past few days on the 6 & 8 mile reef system.
Tight Lines,
Capt. Jonathan
www.chaosfishingcharters.com
