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July is a month of subtle changes on the inshore fishing scene. The beach tarpon fishing tapers off, and high temperatures on the flats can make trout, redfish and other skinny-water species lethargic during the midday hours.
This is not to say that there is no good fishing, quite the contrary. Anglers will, however, have to make modifications to their routine to keep the rods bent. For the tarpon hunters, one option will be heading into backwaters of upper Tampa Bay, the Manatee River, Boca Ciega Bay, or one of the lesser-known, bait-filled coves or corners. During this part of the season the tarpon have completed their mating and spawning behavior and become more focused on food. Organized schools will become less common as the fish strike out on their own or in loose pods in search of prey. When these tarpon encounter mass quantities of small baitfish such as juvenile threadfin herring, menhaden, or glass minnows, they gorge themselves. The resulting feeding frenzy can be spectacular. Their shiny silver sides can often be seen below the surface as they turn sideways and glide through the dense minnow schools, gulping mouthfuls at a time. Since this activity revolves around masses of bait, birds can be a big help in locating the right spot. Watch for diving pelicans or terns.
Depending upon how focused the tarpon are on the small minnows, it can be difficult to make them strike your bait rather than the thousands around them. In this situation, having big live baits, bigger than those that the fish are feeding on, can be helpful. By making yours stand out you will have a good shot at hooking up. One of the top choices is a jumbo threadfin herring. Since these big threadfin seldom hang around with the tiny ones, you usually have to catch them elsewhere.
For other inshore species, the key will be beating the heat. It is not uncommon for the water temperature on the open grass flats to exceed 90 degrees on calm, steamy afternoons this month. Speckled trout prefer cooler water and will feed best in the early morning. Look for them around schools of small baitfish that have drifted onto the flats. Spanish mackerel, blacktip sharks, and bluefish will also be found working the same spots.
By noon this action typically dies down. If you are out for the whole day, regardless of the conditions, the best afternoon action is often found beneath the mangroves. Redfish and snook will seek the shade of overhanging trees to avoid the midday sun. If the tide is high, most of the fish will be so far back under the trees that you will not be able to see them. Pole along the edge of the bushes and look closely into any openings in order to find the clandestine pathways the fish use to reach the back of the shadow line. If you see a redfish or two sneaking back into the cover or passing through a gap, there is a good chance there may be more that are out of sight. Set up for a long cast, then toss a live shrimp with its tail trimmed off or a piece of cut bait to the edge of the shadows and let it sit. As the scent of the bait drifts, the fish will ease out and grab it. It is remarkable how many redfish you can catch from beneath the right mangrove tree.
Snook fishing along the beaches has just now hit its peak. Large numbers of the big linesiders arrived a little late, but they are there now and will remain for the duration of the month. Once again, early and late in the day are the best times to target them. In the morning they can be sightfished in the swash channels then, just before dark, the big ones feed along the edge of the gulf passes.