We’re excited to have Jordan on our Outdoors360 team, and write our upcoming forecasts for the Panhandle of Florida. Captain Jordan Todd is the C.E.O. and Professional Fishing Guide at SaltWater Obsessions Fishing Guide Service.
Summer time fishing is HOT! July and August can be some tough months for certain species. Best times to go are first light for a few hours and last couple hours of the day. Although a nice overcast day can be good later into the day if there is good tidal flow or water movement. Redfish will tend to feed shallow during the high tides in the early mornings along the banks and marsh edges. But as the sun rises they will slow down and push deeper. Bigger live baits like pilchards, pinfish and finger mullet work best during the summer. I like to use a live bait under a popping cork up close to the grass line for redfish and the occasional flounder. Usually 25 lbs flouro leader, 18-24 inches long and a 2/0 circle hook, hooked through the lips of your live bait, making it want to swim downward.
The tarpon are also running in the passes and along the beaches in the huge pogey schools. Free lining live pogeys down current behind the boat. Large spinning reels, 50 lbs braid with a 80 lbs flouro leader to a 7/0 circle hook is the best method for landing tarpon.
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