Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for July 12-19, 2026
Sunday's Comprehensive Fishing Article for Florida's Freshwater Anglers
Strong New Moon Fishing Next Four Days
For the next four weeks I’m working out of town but will be providing a basic short article every Sunday and I do have a Florida Gun & Self Defense article in the works for August.
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The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for July 12-19, 2026, gives anglers a very strong new moon and a rainy season weather forecast. All fishing factors considered, anglers will enjoy a very strong lunar effect due to the lunar high occurring today, the orbit perigee on Monday, 25 hrs. 54 min. before of the new moon---1 hr. 54 min. away from earning “Super” status.
Nevertheless, this month’s 7-day almost super new moon phase will produce very high numbers of feeding fish during the overhead period that will feed aggressively for at least 4 hrs. during the midday. And if the weather forecast results in being close to accurate, bright sunshine will cause a very high level of oxygen production during the strong lunar period.
However, wind speeds will be less than desirable with daily high speeds during the midafternoon reaching 8 mph, maybe. Winds will be mostly out of the west today and Monday and from the south to southwest Tuesday and Wednesday. During the second half of the week a west wind will occur and is forecasted to produce 10 mph speeds by midafternoon.
Again, if the weather forecast gets it right, which is almost impossible during the Florida rainy season, thunderstorm activity is supposed to be light until Friday through next weekend. But anglers should have a rainy season escape plan every time they head out on the water. Lightning is an unpredictable killer which must be respected. So have an escape plan to a building or vehicle ready.
Major Solar-Lunar Period: Today the moon is overhead at 11:44 a.m. producing a 8-9 feed rating from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily the overhead moon occurs later by an average of 62 min and improves to a solid 10 rating Monday and Tuesday during the 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. hrs. Wednesday through next weekend the feed rating will gradually drop by one number daily.
Minor Solar Lunar Periods: Today the moonset occurs at 7:07 p.m. producing a 5-6 feed rating from 6-8 p.m. Daily the moonset occurs later by an average of 1 hr. and remains at the same feed rating until the midweek when the rating drops into the 3-4 range.
A second minor period happens today when the moon is underfoot at 12:18 a.m. producing a 3-4 rating from 11 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Daily the underfoot moon occurs later by an average of 62 min and remains at the same feed rating.
A third minor period happens today when the moonrise occurs at 4:20 a.m. producing a 2-3 feed rating from 3:30-5:30 a.m. Daily the moonrise occurs later by an average of 70 min and remains at the same feed rating until the midweek when it harmonizes with the sunrise and produces a 4-rating. It should be noted that the deeper you fish the better the feed rating will be. Cooler depths hold far more oxygen than the shallows, resulting in more fish having the ability to feed normally even though it is the low oxygen period of the day.
Best Fishing Days: Today through Wednesday the strong new moon will produce the best fishing days of the month. Anglers who know where fish have been holding and feeding will have very good odds of experiencing some of the best fishing of their lives. The Big Ones will be on the hunt.
Lake Istokpoga S68 Spillway and Lake Level Status: Lake level average is currently at 36.45 NAVD88 with four S8 spillway gates closed. The NAVD88 Offset to NGVD29 is + 1.16 feet = 37.61NGVD29. Current maximum high level is 38.25’ NGVD and the low level is 37.50’ NVGD.
Prime Monthly Periods: July 12-17 very strong super new moon phase, 26-31very weak full moon phase, August 9-15new moon phase, 25-30 full moon phase, Sept. 6-12 new moon phase, 23-29 full moon phase.
Dave Douglass has been an artificial bait only bass fishing guide since 2005, and the writer of the Highlands News-Sun fishing forecast article since Oct. 2016 and previously the writer of the Highlands Today fishing forecast article which began in Nov. 2005. Contact email DavidPDouglass@hotmail.com or phone 863-381-8474.