July is more about scalloping than rod bending for me. Most of my time on the water this month is spent chasing scallops with clients, and for good reason. That said, there are still plenty of opportunities for anglers willing to work around the summer patterns.

Scallops

Scallop season is looking good so far! The numbers we’re seeing are the best in the past 5–6 years. Will the scallops hold out until the end of the season? That’s the big question, but they're plentiful in 5-8' of water right now. Low tides or weak tides (when the seagrass stands up) are going to help scallopers quite a bit.

Weekdays remain your best bet for avoiding the crowds, and if you’re unfamiliar with the area, hiring a guide (like us!) is the easiest way to make the most of your day without the stress of finding productive and un-pillaged scalloping areas.

Gag Grouper News!

The gag grouper season dates are finally out, and there are no surprises this year. Just like last season, we’re looking at September 1st through September 14th. Everything points at the bag limit remaining at 2 per person, which means a short, intense window for targeting these fish. The good news? With the strong gag populations we’ve been seeing, this year’s short season should produce some quality fish.

Redfish

The spoil banks are holding good numbers of redfish right now. Go-to setup is a live pinfish on a knocker rig, with the tail snipped off to create extra scent and vibration. It’s a simple, effective presentation that works all summer.

Mangrove Snapper

Fishing inside of 15 feet of water has been producing the most consistent bite for both mangrove snapper and grunts. Rockpiles in the 5–15 foot range are holding fish, particularly when you can get a good tide moving.

Live shrimp are  notoriously hard to find this time of year (you can forget about picking them up on weekends from Saturday to Monday most bait shops get cleaned out fast).

Red Snapper & Red Grouper

We don’t run a ton of trips in the peak of summer, but we’ve managed to get out on the water a few times lately. The most consistent bite has been out around the Middle Grounds and beyond. With water temps hitting 90°F, the sharks are fired up which can make it frustrating when you’re reeling in nothing but red grouper heads. There are still some keeper red snapper and red grouper to be found in that 80-110’ range, but be prepared to put in the effort. 

What’s Coming Next

We’re currently about midway through scallop season, so if you haven’t made it out yet, there's still time! Fish & Scallop combo trip is a great choice the back half of the season.

Come September, we’ve got a short but exciting window for gag grouper just two weeks from September 1st to the 14th. If you’re hoping to put some gags in the box, be sure to book early and take advantage of this limited season.

Inshore fishing really shines in the fall. As the weather begins to cool, redfish, trout, and snook fire up and become more active. It’s hands-down one of the best times of year to chase these species. Just like us, the fish are ready for a break from the heat.

And don’t overlook fall bottom fishing mangrove snapper and hogfish action typically heats up as water temps drop. It’s an excellent time to target both, especially with lighter crowds and better conditions offshore.

All in all, fall’s looking promising. Whether you’re after inshore action or offshore variety, there’s plenty to look forward to.