Florida Fishing Report: Florida Fishing Charters

We have experienced some adverse weather conditions/systems the past few weeks. Snook, redfish, trout, juvenile tarpon and jacks tried to get into some type of pattern, but never really did. With the run and shoot offense, we were able to come up with the bounty by the days end, despite the fact they remained “loose”. I suppose to some, long time guides sometimes seem as wizards with an inside line to the fish gods. While we may get some of the best sashimi available, we are no more than glorified farmers subject to the variables of the weather. At the end of the day, it is “all good” on the water after pulling it off (somehow). On behalf of myself and long time/ loyal friends---thank you fish gods for the good karma!

Rich Hansen shows off a 40 inch cobia taken last week. Cobia are migrating through the area south now for winter.

Nearshore was on fire with jumbo Spanish mackerel, cobia, and a few kingfish. Grouper fishing was just starting to fire up prior to this current blow. We expect the gags (grouper) to be on the bite nearshore just after the full moon has waxed this week. With decent winds and water quality-traditionally this will be the peak of the shallow water bite.

That was then, this is now....

On the flats, trout and redfish will be the primary targets. If the weather is cool, the fish will retreat to warm and insulated confines of deeper water. On warm afternoons and during Indian summer patterns, they will move to the very skinny to sun and perhaps find something to eat. Winter reds and trout are often best found by casting jerk baits and jigs. Once located, we rack them up with a fresh lively shrimp.

Chris Delarm with a recent  fall snook. Snook are on the shoreline and inside their winter haunts now.

Bob Hansen with a "yellow mouth" gator trout. Big trout and redfish will be the staple species on the flats in the upcoming winter pattern.

Snook will be available, but much more of a challenge as their neo-tropical bodies become very temperamental in cool water. Juvenile tarpon will now become more active for longer periods of daylight.

Cobia will be the big gangbusters as we await winter’s bread n’ butter species to set up winter patterns. They are notorious for hanging out on the warm water flats outside of the power plant discharges. They languidly ride the wings and tails of oversized stingrays and manatees. Cobia are vultures of opportunity in the dust of these hosting animals (when they can find one) by waiting for an easy meal to be kicked up off the bottom.

Plenty of opportunities await us now, weather or not.

Screaming Drags and Tired Arms!

Robert McCue