Tampa Bay, Florida

July 16th 2008 Fishing Report

July Last Month of the Tarpon Run

Hello, how is everyone doing these days? Great I hope, and staying cool. It's been pretty hot out there the past few weeks and that's one of the reasons I prefer to stay in the open water tarpon fishing. It's been good this week with tarpon staying strong and keeping us busy all day long each day. We had several days this past week where we landed as many as 3 or 4 tarpon each day, even on the tougher days we still manage at least one landing and several good battles. Tarpon for me is really what makes up the bulk of my fishing until the end of July.

Snook fishing was also good on the couple of days I spent chasing them. I managed lots of numbers, around 30 per day, with some nice large ones mixed in. There are some 40 inchers biting out there now and I would say July is a very good month for a trophy snook. There are also some fairly consistent reds mixed in from 22 to the 30 plus inch range, making for some good eating. The trout bite is consistent as well if you want a lot of action and some good eating fish. The mangrove snapper have flooded the bay as well so it's possible to do some good back water fishing part of the day and then hit some mangrove snapper part of the day. The bay is also still swamped with mackerel and little tunny, it's been that way for the last two months, like I've never seen them before. I think it's because there are so many massive schools of bait, primarily little thread fin and Spanish sardine. From what I hear offshore fishing has been decent but not great. Weird thing is I have been catching lots of nice grouper while tarpon fishing in the bay. usually they are way offshore in this heat. I've heard a few guys heading offshore say they are getting a few large permit and lots of small Dorado, but they haven't been bragging about the bottom fishing.

So I hope you have enjoyed my report. I still have just a few days open for tarpon so if anyone wants to do battle with a silver king before the peek season ends let me know and we'll get them.  Until next time, have a good one.
Capt. Matt (800)521-2872