Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for July 12-19, 2026

Sunday's Comprehensive Fishing Article for Florida's Freshwater Anglers

Fishing Grass Beds 12-18 Feet Deep Brings Success During the Rainy Season

The Florida Freshwater Fishing Forecast for July 19-26, 2026, gives anglers the first quarter moon phase and a rainy season weather forecast that is predicting bright sunshine during the morning and early afternoon hours which if correct, will cause fish to feed normally in oxygen producing areas.

All fishing factors considered, bright sunshine, few clouds and thunderstorm activity, plus ideal wind speeds of 10-13 mph from the south, will create above average feeding activity during the hours leading up to the sunset and solar noon periods.

Fish will be holding tight to protective cover in deeper vegetation areas but will move up to traditional feeding areas when oxygen production peaks during the midafternoon hours—the long the sun shines brightly, the longer the fish will remain in the shallow areas of oxygen producing vegetation.

If the weather forecast proves to be incorrect, expect fish to remain deeper where cooler water high oxygen levels occur naturally. The key for fish to feed normally is oxygen. If they have at least 5ppm dissolved oxygen they can feed and if the level drops below that, fish begin to enter a state of stress and suspend feeding activity. And if greater depths are available, they will move deeper in search of oxygen. If not, fish become stressed and begin to lose weight.

My favorite rainy season fishing areas have 12-18 feet of water, thriving healthy grass and an elevation change within the grass bed. And I prefer to wind-drift through the area using long casts, light fluorocarbon line and tackle with a Florida rigging which presents a dark green fat short plastic bait to the big girls waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey below.

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