June spoiled us with an incredible halibut bite, but by July the changing water temperature had other plans. The bite slowed dramatically, and while halibut are still around, most are on the smaller side. The spotlight this month belongs to spotfin croaker, and they’ve been delivering some of the most exciting surf action all summer.

In Seal Beach, California, Big Fish Bait and Tackle hosted July’s “Best of 2 Spotfin Croakers” derby. During the incoming slack tide, I landed a 22.25-inch and a 23.25-inch croaker, giving me a combined total length of 45.5 inches—enough to hold the lead until the very end of the month. The fights were unforgettable. Both croakers battled like stingrays, charg...