When summer hits the Gulf Coast, the flats heat up, the bait floods inshore, and the fish get aggressive. For fishermen along Florida’s southwest coast, especially around Ft. Myers, Sanibel, Pine Island, and Captiva, summer means opportunity. Captain Patrick King, a U.S. Coast Guard certified guide and native to the Ft. Myers area, has built a lifetime of experience around these waters. From redfish tailing in the shallows to tarpon cruising off the beaches, King’s approach to summer fishing is shaped by decades of local and international experience. This article breaks down what species to target during the summer months, how conditions shift, and what techniques consistently produce results.
Seasonal Conditions That Shape the Bite
Summer in Southwest Florida brings high heat, humid mornings, and afternoon thunderstorms. Inshore waters hover in the mid-80s, while offshore thermoclines become more defined. Tides settle into more predictable patterns, and bait becomes easy to locate, particularly pilchards and threadfin herring. Understanding these seasonal elements is key to figuring out which fish are active, where they stage, and how to approach them.
Early mornings and late afternoons are the prime windows for most summer fishing due to heat and light conditions. Predatory species often become sluggish by midday, retreating to deeper or shaded areas. Fishermen who get on the water before sunrise or return after the storms can take advantage of aggressive feeding patterns and cooler water temperatures.
Inshore Targets: Redfish, Snook, and Seatrout
Redfish
Redfish stay active through the summer and are often easier to locate thanks to concentrated bait and warmer water pushing them into predictable zones. Around the Ft. Myers area, redfish are commonly found cruising the edges of mangroves, oyster bars, and current-driven points. On high tides, they push deep into the backcountry. On lower water, they congregate along open grass flats and potholes.
Tactics That Work:
Live bait such as cut mullet, pinfish, or shrimp will produce around structure.
Artificial options like weedless soft plastics and gold spoons work well in skinny water or over grass.
Topwater plugs can be effective early in the morning, especially on calm days when fish are feeding near the surface.
Look for signs like nervous water, mullet schools, or wakes near mangrove points. When sight fishing, approach quietly and make long casts. Redfish are extremely aware of pressure in clear, shallow water. Anglers who scale down leader size and remain patient typically have more success during high-sun periods.
Snook
Snook fishing peaks in the summer. These fish gather in large numbers along beaches, passes, and around dock lights at night. Spawning activity is concentrated around late spring and early summer, which makes them more aggressive and more accessible. While many snook are catch-and-release during parts of the season, they still offer some of the best fights inshore.
Best Approaches:
Cast free-lined live bait like pilchards or threadfins near passes and jetties on an incoming tide.
Work soft plastics or diving plugs along the troughs of beaches or under dock lines during early morning or twilight hours.
Night fishing around bridges and dock lights often produces non-stop action using small swimbaits or shrimp imitations.
Snook are structure-oriented and tidal-dependent. The best bites typically occur on the first part of the outgoing tide, when bait gets flushed out and concentrated. On calm beach mornings, look for cruising fish just beyond the first sandbar. A well-placed cast ahead of the fish will often get an immediate reaction.
Spotted Seatrout
Seatrout remain active throughout summer, especially early and late in the day. They stage on deeper edges of grass flats, sand holes, and in cooler channels where bait schools pass through. While winter often produces the larger “gator trout,” summer still offers consistent action with slot-sized fish.
Effective Methods:
Drift fishing with live shrimp or pinfish under popping corks remains a staple.
Soft plastic paddletails on light jig heads allow for fast coverage of flats.
In low-light conditions, topwater lures like Zara Spooks or Skitter Walks are deadly.
Focus on moving water and look for signs of bait activity. Birds, mullet wakes, and visible surface strikes are good indicators of trout presence. During midday lulls, switch to deeper grass ledges or channel drop-offs to find fish holding in slightly cooler water.
Nearshore and Offshore: Tarpon, Grouper, Snapper, and Permit
Tarpon
Tarpon are the most iconic gamefish of Florida summers. From May through August, Southwest Florida’s coastline lights up with migrating schools. These silver giants patrol the beaches and gather near passes and river mouths in search of bait. Tarpon fishing requires timing, patience, and a willingness to adapt to changing weather and water clarity.
Key Tactics:
Slow drift live crabs or threadfins along the edges of the beach during calm, clear mornings.
Cast soft plastic swimbaits or heavy jigs at rolling fish when live bait is not available.
Use heavy spinning tackle (5000-8000 class reels) spooled with 50-65 lb braid and 60-80 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Watching tarpon roll on the surface gives away their position, but they are often skittish under pressure. Long casts and subtle presentations make a difference. On windy or stained water days, darker bait colors and heavier vibration profiles can help trigger reaction bites.
Gag and Red Grouper
Once the season opens, grouper become a strong nearshore option for summer trips. Red grouper dominate hard bottom areas in 60 to 120 feet of water, while gag grouper prefer ledges and wrecks closer to shore. Both can be found year-round, but summer weather offers more reliable access.
Recommended Gear and Methods:
Use stout rods and conventional reels loaded with 80 lb braid.
Drop large live baits such as pinfish or squirrelfish on knocker rigs or heavy bottom rigs.
Jigging with butterfly-style jigs also produces strikes, especially when fishing shallower wrecks.
Make sure to anchor precisely on structure or drift directly over productive ledges. Use electronics to locate bait schools and fish stacked on the bottom. Gags are especially aggressive near structure edges when the tide begins to move.
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove snapper are a consistent and often underrated target. Found around structure from bridges and pilings to offshore wrecks and reefs, they bite well in summer and provide excellent table fare.
Approach Tips:
Fish live shrimp, pilchards, or cut bait on light tackle with fluorocarbon leader.
Use minimal weight or free-line bait when snapper are suspended above structure.
Chumming helps bring them up in the water column, especially on calm days.
Their sharp vision means lighter leaders and stealthier presentations yield better results. Snapper often hit fast and pull toward cover, so be ready to react. Larger mangrove snapper often mix with smaller yellowtail and lane snapper offshore, so always be prepared for mixed bag action on reefs and artificial structures.
Permit
Permit show up in strong numbers during summer, especially on offshore wrecks and reefs. These fish are powerful, wary, and demand precise technique. Sight fishing for permit on calm days is one of the most challenging and rewarding styles of fishing available.
Technique Matters:
Present live crabs on small circle hooks with enough weight to reach the fish without spooking them.
Drifting into position and making accurate casts is crucial.
Watch for pairs or small schools tailing or flashing over wrecks.
Permit are highly tide-sensitive and will shut down quickly with increased boat traffic or pressure. Time your trips around slower tides and minimal wind for best results. Early morning starts with a well-prepared livewell and a quiet approach will make the difference.
Additional Tips for Summer Success
Plan Around Weather: Storms often roll in during the afternoon. Get on the water early, monitor radar closely, and avoid getting caught offshore during a front.
Handle Fish Responsibly: Warm water stresses fish faster. Use circle hooks, keep fight times short, and release fish quickly when practicing catch and release.
Use the Right Gear: Summer fishing often involves larger fish and heavier tackle. Be prepared with gear suited to your target species.
Watch the Tides: Tidal flow affects nearly every species. Understanding how fish position during different stages of the tide will double your chances of success.
Stay Mobile: If the bite dies out or conditions change, don’t wait it out in one spot. Move to cleaner water, follow bait, or shift tactics as needed.
Book a Trip with a Local Guide
With decades of experience fishing Florida’s inshore flats, offshore wrecks, and beach fronts, Captain Patrick King brings unmatched knowledge to summer fishing in the Ft. Myers region. As a certified U.S. Coast Guard captain and a Ft. Myers native, King has spent his life tracking local fish patterns and refining techniques that work across all water types and conditions.
If you're ready to take your summer fishing to the next level, book a trip with Captain Patrick King and experience the waters through the eyes of someone who grew up fishing them. From beginners to seasoned fishermen, every trip is built around your goals and adjusted in real time to maximize results. Let us show you the best of what Southwest Florida has to offer, with a guide who knows these waters like home.