Fall Arrives on Time

Today marks the Fall Equinox and both our air and water temperatures prove it. Despite all the publicity we’ve been getting with Floyd and Harvey, our area is a little stirred up… but mostly unaffected. A cold front combined with a Gulf upwelling, courtesy of Harvey has significantly dropped our water temperature .The front that brought this beautiful weather will slide back north as a warm front. This mix of cold dry air and warm wet air is the perfect combination for a productive fall season.

Red October is just days away. From Anclote Key south, redfish will be found in the passes, behind the barrier islands, and on the flats directly East of passes. North of Anclote, expect to find reds around small islands and points on a good flood tide. Small cul-de-sacs just off the main path of flow should not be over looked. On extreme low tides, search out potholes on the flats directly off the areas you fish at high tide. While some of the better known spots get lots of attention, there are many places that don’t. Reds are suckers for shrimp, greenbacks, pinfish, chubs, top water plugs, spoons, twitch baits and jerk baits.

Snook are staging in deepwater pockets adjacent to grass flats that feature good tide flow and structure. I often hear some say that they are getting ready to fatten up for winter. Well actually, not really. Of all the gamefish our area has to offer, snook are the most temperature sensitive of fish. While it is well known they can not tolerate the cold, they do not tolerate hot water either. They are notorious for ganging up in the same places every year, yet "they won’t bite". Well, they do have to feed right? In almost all cases the fish tend to drop in the safety of deeper water during the day.This being particularly true where they receive a lot of attention.. At periods of darkness and low light, they will move up to the ledges and the adjacent structure to feed. Many places in this day and age, they are overfished or harassed by those who wish to see em’ before they fish em’.

Anytime the water temperature falls between 72 and 79 degrees, snook fishing is at its best. That folks is now and up to Thanksgiving in most years. There won’t be a major fattening up period on the Gulf coast. But those who have dedicated themselves to mastering the craft of stalking this fish will prevail. While I can’t give my secrets as I once did in the past, I can say its not too early fish them in their winter haunts.

Trout fishing is improving and will only get better with each passing day. Those willing to put in the effort will be able meet their bag limit. Work jigs over the salt n’ pepper grassflats from 3 to 6 feet of water from Anclote to Bayport.

Spanish mackerel are abundant off the beaches and adjacent to the artificial reefs to the south. While catching the macks on the deeper grassflats to the north is possible, we are still a few weeks away from the Big Mack attack.

Take advantage of the full moon and treat yourself to some spectacular mango snapper fishing. Oyster bars, rock piles, holes lined with limestone, channels, and seawalls will see some great fishing on the next 3 moons.

What’s in the bag this week? Snook, redfish, trout, mango, and jacks

Screaming drags and tired arms!

Robert McCue