The Southwest Florida summer grind is in full swing both shallow and deep. Early departures have been paramount to capture the best conditions and capitalize on several warm water bites.
Within the inshore arena, all the usual July piscatorial suspects have been cooperating. Snook are staged up in the passes, mangrove snapper are swarming around structures natural and artificial while tarpon continue to show themselves early in the day along the coastline.
Mangrove snapper in particular lend themselves to be an excellent inshore target for those hoping for fast action and perhaps a fresh fish dinner. Aggressive in nature, mangrove snapper will smash a wide variety of natural and artificial baits. The minimum size limit for mangrove snapper is 10 inches with a five fish per harvester daily limit.
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While the various shallow water bites remain constant, baitfish have now become scattered. Typical for the month of July, anglers might have to prospect in several locations before securing a live well full of offerings. Look for surface agitation, diving pelicans and wading bird activity to assist in locating herring, sardines and mullet.
Pushing out beyond the horizon, the summer grouper grind is also firing on all cylinders. Warm Gulf waters have the biomass of red grouper moving ever so slightly eastward into water depths ranging from 70 to 85 feet. However, most savvy grouper diggers are setting a course toward deeper depths where limits require less overall effort.
Look for red grouper over and around rock piles and natural hardbottom areas. Popular local baits for red grouper include live pinfish, cut squid/herring and eclectic bucktail/ metal jigs.
Offshore
Offshore: “Half-day trips on our multi-passenger vessel have been doing well catching snapper,” said Capt. Gene Luciano. “Full-day excursions are catching limits of red grouper with consistency.”
Departing from the Naples City Dock, Luciano’s Dalis Fleet has been treating their half-day anglers to great catches of lane/mangrove snapper and white grunts while prospecting hard bottom areas in the 16 to 18-mile range. On his half days, Luciano is also keeping the rods bent with Spanish mackerel using free-lined cut herring rigged on a 2/0 circle hook.
Full-day charters have Luciano and his captains venturing out to fertile grounds located in water depths ranging from 95 to 110 feet of depth. Deploying cut squid and herring resulted in limits of red grouper and a variety of snapper species.
Naples/Estero Bay
Naples/Estero Bay: Aboard my Port O Call Marinas-based guide boat the Grand Slam, I have been treating my angling groups to a mixed bag of inshore catches. Early departures have been helpful to experience the best tides and conditions.
Casting scaled sardines and hand-picked live shrimp, my anglers have kept tight to snook, jack crevalle, and countless mangrove snapper. Current swept points, rock jetties and residential docks have provided the best catching opportunities.
Early in the fishing day and out along the beaches, tight schools of Spanish mackerel can be found crashing or foraging on micro-sized baitfish. Casting and slow trolling small 2-inch Clark spoons kept my anglers hooked up and happy to the scrappy pelagic species.
Ten Thousand Islands
Ten Thousand Islands: “Light winds have provided good fly-fishing conditions here in the upper Ten Thousand Islands,” said Capt. Paul Nocifora. “Morning trips have been necessary to avoid the heat and weather.”
Early departures have found Nocifora stalking snook and redfish along select mangrove shorelines and coves. Casting white-colored Lightbulb patterns into deep pockets around downed branches, and near current swept points has led to solid hookups with snook up to 37-inches and redfish of all sizes.
Heaps of fresh water dumping out of the back-bay creek systems during the outgoing tide has small juvenile tarpon fired up for Nocifora and his casters. To cash in on this exciting action, Nocifora recommends presenting a dark-colored scheme Lightbulb or Gurgler pattern to rolling tarpon while employing a 7/8-weight class fly tackle.
If you have a report to share email captwill@naplessportfishing.com.
Anglers, email your photos to news@naplesnews.com and we will compile your images into an online gallery that’s featured each Thursday morning at www.naplesnews.com. Do not submit photos of fish caught illegally.
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