July 2025 Saltwater Fishing Forecast: Florida’s Southeast Coast (Jacksonville to the Keys)
Surf & Pier | Nearshore | Offshore
July on Florida’s southeast coast offers some of the most dynamic and rewarding saltwater fishing of the year. From Jacksonville’s surf zones to the piers of Miami and the reef-laced waters of the Florida Keys, this is peak season for both action and variety. Warm waters, bait migrations, and strong tidal flows all contribute to a vibrant ecosystem that brings predators within range of anglers both onshore and off.
Surf & Pier Fishing Forecast
Overview:
The surf and piers from Jacksonville down through Palm Beach to Miami are teeming with life in July. Water temperatures in the upper 80s bring in baitfish like glass minnows, scaled sardines, and finger mullet. These attract a wide range of predators including snook, tarpon, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and sharks.
In the Keys, surf fishing is more limited due to reef structure and private land, but bridges and causeways like the Seven Mile Bridge offer outstanding pier-style opportunities.
Hot Targets:
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Snook (especially around inlets and piers at dawn/dusk)
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Tarpon (dawn surf bite; rolling in calm surf and along shadow lines of bridges)
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Whiting & Croaker (more common north of West Palm)
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Spanish Mackerel and Blue Runners
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Blacktip and Spinner Sharks (nighttime is best)
Top Spots:
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Jacksonville Beach Pier
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Sebastian Inlet
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Juno Pier
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Dania Beach Pier
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Bahia Honda and Seven Mile Bridges (Keys)
Tips for Success:
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Fish early mornings or evenings for snook and tarpon — avoid mid-day heat.
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Use live bait (pinfish, croakers, finger mullet) on sliding rigs.
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Silver spoons and Got-Cha plugs are deadly for Spanish mackerel.
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Use a 30–60 lb fluorocarbon leader if targeting snook or tarpon.
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For sharks, chunk bait (ladyfish, bonito, mackerel) fished on heavy gear after dark is effective.
Nearshore Fishing Forecast (up to 3 miles offshore)
Overview:
Nearshore waters heat up in July, but baitfish remain plentiful. Kingfish, tarpon, and permit are among the top predators roaming just outside the surf zone and around nearshore reefs and wrecks. The visibility is usually high, and conditions allow for sight fishing as well.
On calm days, kayak anglers and small boaters can reach big game just a couple miles off the beach.
Hot Targets:
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Tarpon (especially along beachside bait pods)
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Permit (around nearshore wrecks and reefs in South FL and Keys)
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King Mackerel
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Cobia
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Barracuda
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Bonito (Little Tunny)
Top Spots:
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Off Amelia Island and St. Augustine (tarpon pods)
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Jupiter and Palm Beach reefs (permit and kingfish)
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Haulover and Government Cut (tarpon, bonito)
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Western patch reefs off Key Largo and Islamorada
Tips for Success:
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Look for diving birds or rolling tarpon to locate bait pods.
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Use live threadfins or pilchards free-lined on 60 lb fluorocarbon.
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For permit, sight-cast small live crabs to schools over wrecks.
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Use a slow-trolled ribbonfish or sardine for king mackerel.
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A #3 wire leader helps prevent cutoffs when kings and cudas are thick.
Offshore Fishing Forecast
Overview:
July is prime time offshore. Dolphin (mahi-mahi), wahoo, sailfish, blackfin tuna, and blue marlin are all available from 10 to 50 miles out. The Gulf Stream current brings blue water close to shore, especially south of Jupiter. Reefs and wrecks also produce steady snapper and grouper action, with July marking the heart of the mutton snapper season and great action on vermilion snapper and amberjack.
Hot Targets:
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Mahi-Mahi (best between 300–900 ft depths)
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Wahoo (deep troll around weed lines)
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Sailfish (particularly in Palm Beach and Miami)
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Blackfin Tuna (early morning troll or live chumming)
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Mutton Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper
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Amberjack, Grouper (on deep wrecks/reefs)
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Blue Marlin (particularly off the Keys and deeper Palm Beach ledge)
Top Spots:
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Jacksonville & St. Augustine 20–50 mile ledges
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Push-button Hill and The Ledge off Fort Pierce and Jupiter
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Haulover to Fowey Light (live-baiting sailfish and mahi)
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Marathon Humps (tuna and dolphin)
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West Hump off Key West (deep pelagics and blue marlin)
Tips for Success:
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Always keep a spinning rod rigged with a bucktail jig for sight-casting to dolphin.
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Troll ballyhoo with skirts or naked for mahi and sailfish. Purple/black and blue/white are top colors.
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Wahoo bite better around full moons — high-speed trolling early/late helps.
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For muttons and groupers, anchor and chum or drift deep ledges with live pinfish or sardines.
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Use circle hooks for bottom species — required by law and more effective.
Weather & Tides to Watch:
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Thunderstorms: Common in the afternoon. Get out early and monitor radar often.
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Full Moon (July 21, 2025): Great for snapper and wahoo. Expect stronger tides.
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New Moon (July 5, 2025): Great tarpon tides and early morning pelagic bite.
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East or SE winds: Often bring weed lines and floating debris in tight — great for mahi.
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Tide Swings: Snook and tarpon feed best around moving water near structure or cuts.
Tackle Recommendations:
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Surf/Pier: Medium spinning gear (4000–6000 size) with 20–30 lb braid, 30–50 lb fluoro leader
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Nearshore: 5000–8000 spinning or light conventional reels, 50–60 lb braid
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Offshore Trolling: 20–50W conventional gear with mono top shot and braid backing
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Bottom Fishing: 6/0 to 9/0 reels with 60–100 lb braid, 80 lb leader
Final Thoughts:
July is a time of abundance and opportunity along Florida’s southeast coast. From tarpon rolling at sunrise in the surf of Jacksonville to bull mahi smashing baits off Islamorada, there’s no better time to get on the water. Early starts, proper gear, and a flexible plan are the keys to success. Monitor weather, fish structure and tide changes, and match your bait to the local forage — and you’ll be in for a month to remember.
Tight lines and stay safe!