07/31/2026
🎣 Fishing Report 7/31
Looks like we have a typical Florida summer weekend ahead of us, with a little extra rain mixed in.
If you're planning on fishing, that sunrise-to-mid-morning window is definitely going to be your best bet.
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FLOUNDER
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These fish haven't quite reached doormat status, but they're on their way! We've been seeing more reports in the last two weeks than we've seen in the last two years.
They've been hunkered down on the wrecks and reefs inside Tampa Bay.
If you're fishing the Gulf side, fish the sandy areas just outside the higher current flow (John's Pass, Pass-a-Grille, Sunset Beach).
A Z-Man 4" Fluke bumped on the bottom or a frozen finger mullet on a knocker rig.
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🥭 MANGOS! MANGOS! MANGOS! 🥭
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They are still knocking them out every day.
Out early with plenty of shrimp or cut threadies = a full cooler by 9:30.
These are some of my favorite table fare. That being said, we will happily accept fillets here.
Same rules apply. Nothing has changed.
Knocker rig.
30 lb mono/fluoro.
1/0 Glaucus circle hook.
Medium shrimp.
Most important... match the hook to the bait.
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REDFISH
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Redfish have been cruising in their single- and double-fish pattern. Rarely will you come across a school of them.
Chunked bait tossed under the mangroves with some patience will catch some nice fish. Focus upper/mid Tampa Bay woth all this rain we've had
Artificials will work if you work them in the morning.
Bump a Q8 Super Shrimp along the bottom near the mangroves or reel a Johnson Sprite along some oyster beds, and you'll have some looks.
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TROUT 🔍
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Anyone have reports on trout?
Leave a comment. It's been crickets for us.
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SNOOK
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Snook will continue to stick to their lockjaw attitude until we start to have a temp drop.
The full moon had them chewing around the passes, and it's safe to assume the new moon in August will be similar.
The new moon may even be a bit better because their attention will definitely be be around lights.
A weedless 5" Z-Man Jerk Shad or MirrOlure 27mr worked slowly and drifted by the light.
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NEARSHORE
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Nearshore has been great when you're able to coordinate that trip.
Fishing the deeper nearshore is key.
The 70' range has really been the ideal starting area for nice mangs.
Chum them up, hook a shrimp on a yellowtail jig, or drop down an E&N Jigs-N-Rigs with a tail-hooked shrimp.
If shrimp aren't available, a decent cut chunk of thread has been a solid option.
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RED GROUPER
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Red grouper are around, but in the 80' depth it's a little harder to find decent numbers of bigger fish.
Cut bonita and a 6/0 circle hook will get the big fish, though. BAITMASTERS/Aylesworth's Fish & Bait just started carrying huge squid wing strips, we'll have those juicy things in very soon.
If you can push to the 100' ledges, you should have better luck.
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If you need to stock up on frozen bait, hooks, or respool some reels, or anything else, just swing by!
As always, appreciate you all, and have a great weekend!
Photo/info cred::
Jesse Merritt
CaptAnthony Corcella
Wicked Salty Fishing Charter
Michael Descagnia
Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charters
