The Daily Catch | Fishing Report – July 2026
Looking for the best fishing in Clearwater Beach this July? Summer fishing has been in full swing, with anglers catching red snapper, red grouper, mangrove snapper, lane snapper, yellowtail snapper, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, triggerfish, sea bass, porgies, and even the occasional blackfin tuna. Whether you’re planning a family-friendly 4-hour fishing trip or an all day offshore adventure, July has been producing steady action across all of our charter options.
A Strong Start to Summer
July has been another fantastic month on the water.
We kicked the month off with excellent fishing and plenty of smiling faces at the dock. About halfway through the month, Florida reminded us that rainy season had officially arrived. Afternoon showers became more common, and Tropical Storm Bertha formed in the Gulf, bringing enough wind to keep us tied to the dock for a few days.
Thankfully, Bertha tracked away from Florida and spared the Gulf Coast from any significant impacts. Once the weather settled down, it was right back to business, and the fishing has continued to be outstanding ever since.
Red Snapper Season is Still Going Strong
One of the biggest questions we get this time of year is, “Is red snapper season still open?”
The answer is yes!
Our 10 and 12-hour trips continue to head well offshore in search of red snapper, and we’ve been rewarded with some beautiful fish. Alongside snapper, the red grouper bite has been amazing, and we’ve continued filling coolers with mangrove snapper, lane snapper, yellowtail snapper, vermillion snapper, and plenty of other reef species.
One of the biggest surprises this month has been running into blackfin tuna. They’re not something we see very often on our side of the Gulf, so every one that comes over the rail is exciting for both our crew and our anglers. They’re incredible fighters and make some outstanding table fare, making them a welcomed bonus whenever they show up.
Something for Everyone on Our Shorter Trips
Not everyone wants to spend 10 or 12 hours offshore, and that’s exactly why our shorter trips continue to be so popular.
Our 4-hour charters are perfect for families, beginners, kids, and anyone looking to enjoy a few hours on the water without committing to a full day. These trips are a great introduction to offshore fishing, and there’s usually plenty of action to keep everyone entertained.
We’ve been trolling for Spanish mackerel and barracuda and getting into bottom fishing, where anglers have been catching Key West grunts, porgies, sea bass, mangrove snapper, triggerfish, juvenile red grouper, and even the occasional keeper red grouper. We’ve also been catching gag grouper, but they’re currently catch and release until the season reopens.
If you’re looking for a little more fishing time, our 6 and 8-hour trips offer the perfect middle ground. The extra hours allow us to fish additional spots, spend more time over productive bottom, and adapt to changing conditions throughout the day. These trips consistently produce excellent mixed bags and give anglers even more opportunities to bring home fresh fish for dinner.
Looking Ahead to September
Summer is just getting started, and there’s still plenty of time to get offshore while red snapper season remains open.
We’re especially looking forward to September when gag grouper season reopens. Even better, gag grouper, red grouper, and red snapper will all be open at the same time, making for some incredibly exciting offshore trips and some colorful coolers on the ride home.
Gag grouper are famous for putting up an incredible fight. Once hooked, they immediately try to dive back into the rocks to break you off, making them one of the most challenging and rewarding fish to catch in the Gulf.
September also marks the reopening of amberjack season. If amberjack is on your bucket list, we recommend booking earlier in the month and choosing either a 10 or 12-hour trip. These powerful fish are typically found on deeper offshore wrecks, requiring the additional range and fishing time that our longer charters provide. They’re known for testing both anglers and tackle, but landing a keeper amberjack is well worth the effort.
Whether you’re introducing your kids to fishing for the first time, chasing your limit of red snapper, or planning ahead for gag grouper and amberjack season, there’s never been a better time to get offshore.
We can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store. Give us a call at 727-496-3474 or click HERE to reserve your trip—we’ll see you at the dock!
Tight lines!
