Capt. Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
With the end of scallop season, the fishing has gradually improved through the month, both offshore and inshore. The last week of the month finally saw some overnight temperatures into the low 60's which was just what was needed to activate the fishery. Bountiful schools of baitfish have been moving into town, including mullet of all sizes, whitebait from tiny to large pogies, glass minnows (rainbait)--even ballyhoo. The Spanish mackerel bite has been excellent, and the kingfish have arrived in our area. I had several good trips this month. Early in the month Doug Barrett and I found some nice early trout, anchored by this 4 pounder taken on a topwater plug. Near the middle part of the month, the temperatures shot up again and the fishing suffered, but Annie Snyder found this nice redfish near a marshline. And at the end of the month, a weekend exploration with Capt. Tommy Thompson found some excellent redfish and trout south of Pepperfish Keys.
October Fishing Forecast
This is one of the best months of the year for inshore fishing. Large schools of baitfish will continue through our area. In depths from 5 to 15 feet, you'll find lots of pelagic species following them, including ladyfish, jack crevalle, Spanish mackerel, and even kingfish. Last year in October a 15 pound kingfish was caught within 300 yards of the channel by a fisherman with a trout rod fishing a live pinfish. Offshore, the grouper bite will improve considerably, but most catchable fish will still be in somewhat deeper water (from 50 to 80 feet). Kingfish, however, can be taken anywhere there are baitfish schools. Whether offshore or nearshore, troll silver spoons or Floreo jigs behind wire leaders and troll around the schools at 4 knots for rapid Spanish mackerel action. Inshore, larger trout are finishing their spawn and moving into shallower waters as the temperatures become more seasonal. Large trout this time of year tend to be solitary, and come near shore to feed. Much larger numbers of slot-sized fish are available on the flats, especially those with mixed sand and grass bottom and lots of potholes. Fish topwater plugs, Cajun Thunder/Gulp combinations, or suspending lures such as the Catch 2000 in shallow water. Redfish are now beginning to school, especially the larger ones, in preparation for their last trip offshore, never to return. Locating schools of large redfish requires some skill, but this time of year is your best chance. Look in water less than 5 feet, with structure such as bars or rocks, and when you catch one fish, be very quiet and continue to fish the area looking for schooling fish. Topwaters, gold spoons, spinnerbaits, and jigs will all be productive. Stop by the Ship's Store at the Sea Hag Marina for tackle, live bait, and current information about what's biting and where.
Here are some guide reports for this month. And I want to take this opportunity to welcome back Capt. Steve Rassell, who has been fighting a tough illness over the past few months, but he's feeling better now and is ready for the fall season. Welcome back, Steve.
Capt. Brian Smith www.bigbendcharters.com
Well, taking into consideration the cool morning temperatures, the season is a'changing, which will cause a change in feeding patterns. While these patterns change regularly, this is the latest about what I know.
Red grouper, small and large, are hitting cut bait best in 72 foot or better on live bottom. If less than legal red grouper are coming up with regularity, move off and try another waypoint. I have limited quickly on one ordinary spot that happened to hold keeper red grouper, as opposed to fishing one spot sorting out the underlings. With the cut bait, red snapper may come into play. Red snapper are out of season. Vent the red snapper to give them the best opportunity to survive; however, some will float away after your best triage efforts. Why we're allowed to kill as many as we want, but can't keep any is a mystery. FYI--reel up slow to relieve bloat, vent the fish, and then move off the area. Gag grouper are more difficult to find right now, but this will improve late in the month with some colder temperatures. When that occurs you can try trolling diving lipped plugs in somewhat shallower water than you may find the reds.
Amberjack are exploding on offshore structures. They are pure fun and good eats. Bigger live-baits work better than smaller offerings. It is wise to sort your baits if you're going reef-donkey fishing during a day offshore. Cobia are available where the AJ's are lurking. Patience is the best bait. Chumming and having quality, fresh live baits are the ticket to success. For me, one opportunity at a jumbo cobia is worth a day of effort; but that is just my personal fishing. I'm a cobia nut.
Huge Florida snapper are on the hard bottom areas where red grouper are hanging. These fish are 2-3 pounds! I love them for dinner. A medium action rod and reel with a 2/0 long shank hook baited with any meat will capture a fine mess of table-fare. Spend an extra ten to fifteen minutes on a good spot to box a mess for dinner. Why not? You're there anyway.
Capt. Tommy Thompson
(352) 284-1763
www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy
As you can see from these photos, September fishing at Steinhatchee was great! We had some cooler water the first of the month and the big redfish started schooling. Van Hubbard and Merry Beth Ryan came up from Charlotte Harbor for a few days and we had a blast chasing big schools of reds in very shallow (less than a foot) water. I did the same on a fun trip with Capt. Scott Peters and his wife, Jamie, a week later. Of course, Rick and Doug and I put lots of our spare time in and did pretty well with some nice trout, which are starting to show up in great numbers. October is the perfect time to fish artificial lures, particularly topwater plugs.
My award-winning fishing guide book, The Saltwater Angler's Guide To Florida's Big Bend and Emerald Coast, might be a help to you if you spend lots of time at Steinhatchee (or anywhere from Chassahowitzka to Pensacola). It's got LOTS of secrets, tips and tricks, so don't forget to pick up a copy at the Sea Hag Ship's Store the next time you're at the marina. You can learn more about the book at www.saltwateranglersguide.com
If you're interested in a 'catch-and-release hunting for big fish' trip, please give me a call or check out my Web site, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy . And if you're interested in some more in-depth information about fishing Florida's Big Bend, take a look at my weekly Fishing4Cast on the Florida Sportsman Magazine Web site at http://www.floridasportsman.com/4cast/bb or at the Florida Sportsman Big Bend Action Spotter column in each month's issue.
Captain Steve Hart, www.legallimitscharters.com (352) 498-0299
September has been a month of transition; I wrapped up a great scallop season on the 10th then took a couple of weeks of vacation but did manage to get in a few charters before the end of the month. The red grouper bite has been great while the gags have been a little tougher, but this should get better as we get into October and the water cools down. There seems to be an abundance of short grouper in the shallower water from 40 to 50 feet along with plenty of nice Florida Snapper but if you are looking for larger fish I would go to 65 feet and beyond. I have been doing well on frozen and cut bait but live bait is always a nice option if you can get it and Sea Hag should have their tanks stocked with pinfish going into October. There have been some nice amberjack and the occasional cobia at some of the usual locations and that always adds some fun to the day. I look forward to some great fall fishing so be careful out there and I hope to see you on the water soon.
Capt. Wiley Horton www.tunersportfishing.com
If you ever get the urge to wander a little farther offshore, big kingfish and cobia can be found on wrecks, rocks and live bottom areas. Chumming is effective for mangrove and lane snappers, just be prepared to release a couple of limits of red snapper. A venting tool is a must in water over 60 feet deep. The large bait pods of spring and summer are beginning to head south for the cooler months ahead and the pelagics will follow after a couple of cold snaps--but the grouper bite should begin to turn on in earnest--just in time for the annual closure in January. If you have a boat capable of the voyage and some numbers in 100+ feet, get ready for some action--here there be sea monsters!
