July often brings diversity to coastal inshore fishing, as rivers fall and higher salinities prevail. Among the species that will get close to shore — or even inshore — are Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, cobia, bluefish and tripletail.
Around Grand Isle, Spanish mackerel cruise the surf and passes, especially on a rising tide. Casting Clouser Minnows and retrieving quickly through schools of small baitfish will likely end with vicious strikes from the “El Diablo”.
For blues and Spanish, a wire bite tippet is required. However, if the fish get wire smart, try a double bite tippet of 40-pound fluorocarbon. It only lasts for a few fish, but at least it works.
Delacroix remains the hottest marsh in the state for reds on the fly. The heavy grass which has frustrated many “commie” anglers, is a fly-fisherman’s dream. Small hair bugs, bendback patterns and spoon flies have been the ticket.
Diversity isn’t limited to saltwater this month. Last July, several fly anglers reported good catches of catfish at False River and Lake Concordia using jitterbees and fluff butts suspended about 3 feet under strike indicators.
Streams in the hilly areas of the state, including the northern sections of the Florida Parishes, should now be at normal flow. Casting poppers in shady areas and along structure will produce spotted bass and longear sunfish (aka killer gobbules).
In Orleans and Jefferson parishes, the Rio Grande perch have been very active this summer, taking small popping bugs and wet flies in the morning hours.
