Hot, Hot, Hot!

June has brought blazing temperatures to the Nature Coast, and the heat isn’t letting up anytime soon. Fortunately, the winds have finally calmed down, making those longer offshore runs a lot more comfortable — and well worth the effort! The Gulf has been serving up some outstanding action for anglers willing to brave the summer sizzle.

Offshore Action

Red Snapper & Red Grouper

We’re seeing excellent red snapper and red grouper fishing in 80 feet of water and deeper. The key has been getting out past that 80’ mark — anything shallower has mostly produced shorts and throwbacks. For bait, it’s hard to beat live pinfish right now. That said, large cut baits (think hefty chunks of mullet, bonita, grunt etc) have been putting some impressive red grouper in the box lately.

Good news on the regulation front — as of now, red grouper season looks like it’ll stay open through the end of the year, setting us up for a solid fall bite.

Mangrove Snapper

Mangrove snapper fishing has been productive, especially out deep. We’ve seen fish pushing 9 lbs — true studs for our area. Again, live pinfish have been the ticket for these wary fish. Don’t be surprised if you find them mixed in with the red snapper and grouper on the same bottom structure.

Mid-range (40’–50’)

If you’re not looking to make the long haul offshore, the 40 to 50-foot range has offered up some nice mixed-bag opportunities. Expect to get a few hogfish in the mix as well. Live shrimp (when you can get your hands on them) are still the top bait, but patient anglers using cut threadfins have been rewarded. Just be ready to sift through a few hungry gag grouper along the way!

Gag Grouper

There’s still no official update on the gag grouper season, but it’s looking like we’ll see an opening on September 1st. We’re expecting a short season this year—likely just 15 to 20 days. Hopefully, we’ll get confirmation within the next week or two.

Inshore Scene

Quite honestly we don't inshore fish much through the summer. The shallower rocks and hard bottom areas in 20 feet of water or less are starting to hold more and more snapper as we move deeper into summer. Expect a consistent bite over the next few months. A live shrimp on a light jig head is your best bet for targeting a variety of species — from mangroves to the occasional sheepshead or trout. Reports of good red fishing are trickling in. The mornings or late evenings are your best window to beat the heat and find active fish. Inshore fishing beyond 10am can be a lil tough.

Scalloping

Scallop season is right around the corner! Mark your calendars — July 1st is opening day. It's time to get those masks, fins, and snorkels ready. A few friendly reminders: be safe, keep an eye on the boat, and don't venture too far out. Enjoy the hunt, but always put safety first. Rains expected the first week may knock out a few charters but should make it less crowded out there.

Availability

Our calendar is filling up fast for July.(Really not much left)  If you’re thinking about combining a fishing trip with a scalloping adventure, now’s the time to lock in your date. Whether you want to target snapper offshore or gather some scallops for the table, we’ve got you covered.

👉 Book now or reach out with any questions. Tight lines, and we’ll see you on the water!

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