Florida Fishing Seasons: Summer

Summertime is the perfect time to go fishing in Florida! The weather is hot, but the fishing is still good. The summer months are generally considered to be June, July, and August. However, the exact dates can vary depending on where you are in Florida. In general, the fishing is good all throughout the state during these months. The waters are warm and there are plenty of fish to be caught. If you are new to fishing, or if you are not familiar with the Florida waters, it is always a good idea to hire a guide. They can help you find the best spots to fish and also teach you how to fish in Florida. If you are an experienced fisherman, there are still plenty of guides available that can show you new techniques or help you find the best fishing spots.

Freshwater

Summer in Florida is the peak of Largemouth Bass fishing, which Florida is well known for. Lake Kissimmee, Lake Okeechobee, Lake Tarpon, and Lake Toho are all famous freshwater lakes home to massive bass, which are often north of 10 pounds! These bass have established schooling patterns that expert guides can track, following the shady parts of lakes and vegetation. The summer is so hot that bass don’t often venture into the sunny surface levels of the water, and are almost always found in the shade near structures or vegetation.

Inshore

Snook season is booming during the summer since snook are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and prefer warmer waters. They can be found on inshore trips to shallow flats and narrow inlets, where a bite can mean a ferocious fight for the unprepared angler. These aggressive fish are known for awesome battles on the line, making them a great sportfish. The waters around Tampa Bay and Clearwater are especially popular for Snook fishing during summer.

Speaking of sportfish, you have to think of Tarpon when talking about summer in Florida. The “Silver King” is an armored beast known for high-flying theatrics and glorious fights. All summer, tarpon can be found in the grass flats near Fort Lauderdale where they attract anglers from around the world. They migrate towards the Atlantic side later in summer. Most of summer tarpon fishing takes place in the Keys, in places like Islamorada.

Nearshore

Nearshore waters during the summer months in Florida are some of the best fishing spots in the world. The water temperature is perfect for a variety of species which can all be found just off the coast around the various reefs and wrecks. Redfish and Speckled Trout are the most common species that can be found, but you can also find Grouper, Snapper, Bluefish, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Sharks, and many more. Nearshore waters are so productive during summer because the concentration of baitfish is so high from March to August. Predators are attracted, and the ecosystem functions extremely efficiently.

Offshore

Offshore summer fishing is incredibly fun, especially in Florida. Red Snapper season starts in mid-June and runs throughout the summer. These fan-favorite fish are a beautiful bright red, huge, hard-fighting, great-tasting offshore species. They really do check every box on an angler’s checklist for a fun catch. Besides snapper season, the summer is a great opportunity to catch Mahi-Mahi, the alien dolphinfish which make such a good photo op. Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, and Permit are also increasingly common catches during the summer months. And of course, you might have a chance at getting a bite from a huge pelagic like the rare Blue Marlin or Sailfish.