July 2024 - Early Morning and Nighttime Bites

July brought sweltering temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms, forcing anglers to adjust their schedules. Snook remained active at night around dock lights, where live shrimp and small pilchards produced non-stop action. Beach fishing for snook was also productive, with fish patrolling the surf looking for easy meals.

Tarpon fishing remained strong, though the large migratory fish started to thin out. Anglers targeting bridges and deep channels near Egmont Key and the Skyway Bridge still found success using live crabs or big mullet.

Nearshore, mangrove snapper fishing was excellent, with small pilchards and shrimp getting fast strikes on ledges and artificial reefs. Further offshore, amberjack and gag grouper were still aggressive, making for exciting fights in 80–120 feet of water.

🔹 Best Bait: Live shrimp for snook at night; pass crabs for tarpon; small pilchards for snapper

🔹 Hot Spots: Dock lights in Anna Maria Sound for snook; Egmont Key for tarpon; nearshore reefs for snapper