Capt. Rick Davidson, Editor (grassflats2@yahoo.com)
Fishing Report SEPTEMBER 2020
We said goodbye to another productive scallop season, and now we’re moving on to some of the best fishing months of the year. In spite of a very rainy month with continuing high temperatures, the highlight has been redfish. And trash. The Annual Sea Hag Marina Trash Tournament took place on the 19th, and it was a huge success. Prizes were given for the heaviest item, the most overall trash, and the most unique item, and all participants got free food, beer and t-shirts. This is a wonderful event and shows the commitment of local businesses to keeping our part of Taylor County as unspoiled as possible. There was also a very well attended Lady Raider Inshore Slam tournament. See the pictures below.
Fishing Forecast OCTOBER 2020
October is one of my four favorite months to fish the Big Bend. Moderate temperatures, no closed seasons, and inshore fish are on the move. Trout move back onto the shallower flats (3-5’) and almost mature redfish (up to 30 inches) are staging for their move to offshore. In east coast and southwest coast areas where there are large inlets and passes, those are the places to find schools of bull redfish. We don’t have those so the schools will be found in shallower water. Be very alert for patches of nervous water when running. This time of year it could be large schools of whitebait, but if in shallower water, it may be redfish schools. If they’re moving fast they usually aren’t eating but try and get in front of rapidly moving schools. If they are settled, approach with as little noise as possible. A slamming hatch door will send them scattering. Make long casts, usually easier with artificials. For trout, right now they are scattered in different depths. Early this month they were in deeper water; with dropping temps they will move inshore. Light colored jigs, Gulp shrimp with or without popping corks, over mixed sand and grass bottoms in 3-5 feet should do well. Areas outside of Rocky Creek, near the nearshore bars at Nine-Mile Bank, and outside of Sink Creek have all been producing trout recently. Offshore, grouper are still deeper but will become more active in shallower water as it gets cooler. Bottom fishing over live bottom with squid or sardines has been productive, or trolling over large areas of live bottom may help you locate fish. Nearshore, it’s time to start looking for schools of whitebait because Spanish mackerel will be migrating through. Light colored jigs, all kinds of spoons, and shiny artificials will all get you some action in 5 to 10 feet of water…. but don’t forget at least a 12 inch wire leader.
October 3rd is the Hooked on Heroes Tournament, taking veterans fishing. If you’re interested in participating, call the Ship’s Store. They may need additional boats.
FALL SNAPPER SEASON opens in Steinhatchee federal waters for private recreational anglers!
Open the following Saturday & Sundays: Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 & Nov. 1
Bag limit remains 2 per person.
For-hire charters restricted to only state-waters. SEASON opens in Steinhatchee federal waters for private recreational anglers!
Open the following Saturday & Sundays: Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 & Nov. 1
Bag limit remains 2 per person.
For-hire charters restricted to only state-waters.
It should be great month. Get out there and fish!
Alexis Cruse found this pretty redfish. 
Andy Christou with a massive cobia. 
Aubrey Wilson needed help holding this big redfish. 
Dominic, Katie and Desi Greco from Gainesville with their fine cobia. 
The host of Dynamic Outdoors TV, Doug Borries from Ocean Springs, MS caught this fine trout. 
It was a wonderful scallop season! Thanks to all that came to spend some time with us! 
Frank Sheffield with a massive gag grouper caught way offshore. 
Justin Hiers and Hannah Saunders fished a creek to find these nice redfish. 
Justin Tell caught the redfish with the most spots in the Lady Raider Tournament. 
Capt. Mike Duttenhaver found this epic tripletail. 
Ryan Worthington did some diving and came up with this tasty hog snapper. 
Shane Cook found grouper and snapper on his diving trip. 
Steve English and his crew. Red and Black Drum! 
The turnout for the Trash Tournament was spectacular!
Capt. Kyle Skipper (352) 317-1654 www.m1fishing.com
I’m looking forward to the coming of cool weather and the great fishing that comes along with it. I am pretty booked up for October but there are still a few days left available. One way or another now is a great time to be on the water here in Steinhatchee.
