July was a Firecracker Month with temps in the high 90s and frequent thunderstorms, and fishing starting in the early morning and finishing by 11 am.
Fishing the Mangroves in the backcountry produced some nice catches of snook and Seatrout on flies. Backcountry patterns of baitfish, featuring tan to brown backs, produced well, along with the ubiquitous Clouser in chartreuse. With higher tides in the morning, Reds and Snook swam deeper into the Mangrove roots foraging for crabs, worms, and other forms of Mangrove Root residents. Fishing in the deeper holes produced some nice seatrout and a few redfish.
Bigger Blacktip and Bull sharks also cruised the mangroves in the deeper water, looking for a snack or two. A common occurrence when the tidal flow is high in the backcountry. We also had a few tarpon showing in Turtle Bay, but had no good shots at them. Post-spawn tarpon will eat!
Looking forward to fishing for juvenile tarpon in August in the bays and flats of Charlotte Harbor.
Hopefully, it will cool down!
Good Luck and tight lines,
Capt. Al White
Boca on the Fly
