On the Water with Capt. Bill Russell July Brings Hot Humid Days with Thunderstorms

On the Water with Capt. Bill Russell July Brings Hot Humid Days with Thunderstorms

Summer Fishing Tips from a Pro: Bill Russel

Introduction

Summer weather is finally here, bringing hot and humid days that anglers must skillfully navigate in order to catch fish. As a professional fishing guide with over two decades of experience, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to make the most of summer fishing.

The Best Time to Fish in the Summer

During the summer months, hot and humid weather patterns are a regular occurrence. Typically, calm seas in the early morning offer the best conditions for fishing. As the day warms up, anglers should look out for sea breezes that kick in early afternoon, followed by thunderstorms.

Catch a Delicious Mangrove Snapper

Mangrove snapper are in abundance throughout inshore and nearshore waters in the summer. They’re also one of the tastiest fish out there! Anglers looking to bring home a fish dinner should aim to catch a Mangrove snapper. They can be caught under docks, bridges, piers, or about any type of structure. Snapper are often caught from the shore without the expense of a boat fishing locations like the Matlacha Drawbridge and Bokeelia Pier.

Catch Redfish and Seatrout

Redfish and seatrout are other great catches anglers can expect to reel in during the summer. High tides give the best opportunity for redfish as they are foraging under the shade of mangrove shorelines. Seatrout often run in schools with the best chance for a catch often coming over the morning incoming tides as cooler water moves over grass flats.

Offshore Fishing

Summer mornings are a great time to take your boat out and run offshore. Everything from snapper to goliath grouper can be found on reefs and wrecks. Keep your eyes open for speedsters such as bonito, Spanish, and king mackerel between 20-90 feet depths harassing bait schools. Artificial reefs are a natural attractant for bait fish followed by predators.

Catch and Release Snook Fishing

Summer is a great time for catch-and-release snook fishing. These energetic fish provide lots of sport, and the large females can be found up and down the coast, surrounded by smaller males during their summer mating rituals.

Targeting Sharks

While they are a nuisance for some, many anglers target sharks for their fighting ability. Sharks play an important role in our ecosystem, and it’s important to make every effort to quickly release them unharmed. Every kid loves to catch a shark of any size, but safety is key for both the angler and the shark.

Stay Up-to-Date with Regulations

Regulations and seasons can change quickly and frequently, so it’s essential to keep up to date with them. You can visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website at myfwc.com for all current state and federal regulations. For a more convenient option, you can download the Fish Rules app on your phone, which provides current regulations, seasons, and pictures to help you identify fish.

Conclusion

In summary, summer fishing in southwest Florida offers great opportunities to catch a variety of fish. As a professional fishing guide with decades of experience, I’ve found that the key to success during this season is to be mindful of the weather, target the most abundant species, and operate safely and responsibly. Whether you’re fishing from a boat or the shore, following these tips will help you have a safe and successful fishing tOUR in the summer months.

Originally Post From https://www.capecoralbreeze.com/sports/sports-columns/2024/07/03/on-the-water-with-capt-bill-russell-july-brings-hot-humid-days-with-thunderstorms/

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