Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
September started off in a hole. Tropical storm Fay dropped massive amounts of rain in our area at the end of August, and in combination with some strong westerly winds, provided us with some challenging fishing, especially for our offshore guides. However, near the end of the month, things began improving dramatically inshore. The last weekend of the month I hosted a redfish 'Learnament' for the Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club. Fourteen boats of all different configurations that wanted to see some good redfish habitat followed me to some areas south of the river on a beautiful morning. We drifted in with the incoming tide over clear water, grassflats and mixed bottom. Around twenty redfish and a goodly number of trout were caught by the group, along with large numbers of immature gags (I caught one that was 15 inches long, which would have been sandwich sized when I was a kid), bluefish, jacks and ladyfish. Here's a picture of Garrett Mullins with his first redfish. He also caught his first grouper on the trip. Things will only get better in the coming weeks.
SEPTEMBER 2008 FISHING FORECAST
Two of the best fishing months of the year, October and November, are just around the corner. As the fishing improved dramatically last month, it will improve even more in October. With decreasing rain, the water is rapidly clearing to the crystal clear water that is the norm in Steinhatchee. As water temperatures cool, baitfish move into the shallows, with predators in close pursuit. Large schools of bluefish, jacks and ladyfish have already arrived. The migration of the pelagics, kingfish, Spanish mackerel and cobia, will bring even more variety to our area. And finally, within a month, the gag grouper bite will increase and long runs to 80 feet will no longer be necessary to find our most highly sought after food fish.
Inshore, larger trout, which have been holding in deeper, clearer water, will begin cruising the shallows. Fish for them with topwaters, such as the Rapala Skitterwalk or the Super Spook Junior in lighter colors. On the flats, Equalizer rigs with plastics will continue to be effective for smaller, but keeper-sized, trout. The largest inshore redfish are staging for their first spawning trip offshore, never to return, so schools of larger fish are available, and all redfish are much more active with dropping water temperatures. Redfish are great fun on topwaters, and attack the same ones as trout. Additionally, the standard Johnson gold spoon, Gulp baits, and soft jerkbaits work as well. The grassflats are full of pinfish, glass mnnows, and whitebait. Put together with moderate temperatures and fewer afternoon thunderstorms, October is a fantastic fishing month. Stop by the Ship's Store and find out where the action is. You can get live shrimp, live pinfish, frozen offshore bait and chum, and all the tackle you'll need to catch some excellent fish this month.
Here are some guide reports for this past month:
Captain Steve Rassell, www.lastcastrass.com , (352) 359-5902
I've had a very good month. Trout are continuing to arrive daily on the flats as the water cools and the large schools of baitfish move in. Also having plenty of action with bluefish, Spanish and ladyfish. Redfish are in large numbers on the flats north and south of the river. I've been using Bass Assassin shrimp tails, and cut bait as well, depending on the conditions. Here are some pictures of several of my trips. That's Kristy Ferguson with the redfish on a trip with Curtis, Elana and Jessica Wilson.
Captain Tommy Thompson, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy
(352) 284-1763
As Rick stated, the first few weeks of September were pretty marginal--fishing wise. However, once the winds quit blowing and October was on the near horizon, things really 'lit up' on the near shore flats and in the backwaters.
Redfish are beginning to school up all along the coastline, with the best action on rising morning tides. Chris Woodward, Editor of Sport Fishing Magazine, celebrated her '39th' birthday with her husband, Spud, catching two dozen reds and about 40 nice trout on a two-day trip with me the last week of September. Chris and Spud are great anglers and conservationists, and enjoy their light tackle, catch-and-release trips, to Steinhatchee. Other birthdays were also celebrated aboard my skiff this month, too. Doug Garwood, from Dalton, GA, and Audrey from the Sea Hag Tiki Bar celebrated day-apart birthdays, although Doug is a year or two older than Audrey. I also took Libbi, from the Ship's Store, on her first redfish trip. We got her a nice red, as well as several trout for her October birthday. No comment on my 60th birthday this month, however I did catch a few fish myself!
There's nothing like catching a big red or trout on an artificial bait. Yes, you may have to cast 1000 times a day and your arm will be sore--but it's a good sore!
I've got several open dates for shallow water fishing in late October and early November. Give me a shout if you're interested in a light tackle or fly-fishing trip at Steinhatchee.
Captain Walt Carlson, (352) 498-3176
It's nice to see what a little cooler weather will do for the fishing. As you can see by the picture, there are some nice trout and redfish coming in at the marina and with the weather getting cooler the fishing will just get better. Redfish seem to be getting more plentiful and the hot bait is still the gold spoon and the Gulp new penny shrimp. Of course a mud minnow or small pinfish is always good too. I prefer the live bait myself-guess I'm getting lazy in my older age, since I don't have to cast as much. Trout are in shallower in the cool mornings and will move out deeper as the day grows warmer.
I don't have a grouper report because I haven't been out, and very few of our captains have been going out consistently. This will change as the bite improves. I have grouper trips already booked for one weekend in October and have lots of people asking about the fishing and wanting to go. Plan your trip now to get the date you want to go.
