July 2023 – Mid-Summer Challenges and Rewards

July brought typical Florida heat and humidity, with water temperatures peaking in the upper 80s. This led many anglers to fish during early morning or late evening hours to avoid the midday heat. Snook remained a primary target along the beaches and passes, responding well to live pilchards and pinfish.

Redfish were found schooling on the flats during higher tides, with cut bait and gold spoons yielding consistent results. Offshore, gag grouper and red snapper were the highlights, with anglers dropping live pinfish and sardines over structure in 80-100 feet of water to entice these bottom dwellers.

Best Bait: Live pilchards for snook; cut mullet for redfish; live pinfish for offshore grouper and snapper.

Hot Spots: Longboat Pass for snook; deeper grass flats in Sarasota Bay for redfish; offshore reefs for grouper and snapper.