Late season hurricane puts damper on hot fall bite
Prior to the blow caused by Hurricane Nicole, fishing around Anna Maria Island was quite good. I anticipate the same once things settle down.
With Just Reel Fishing Charters, I am working the flats for snook, redfish and spotted seatrout near Anna Maria Island and it has been productive. I am fishing the higher stages of the tides which seems to be the most advantageous and casting baits against and under the mangroves is proving to work for snook and redfish.
If you find yourself fishing during the lower stages of the tides, you might still find the snook and reds cooperative. I suggest looking for deeper holes on the flats. In these areas the fish may stage up in anticipation of the next high tide when they can go back to their hiding places among the mangrove roots.
As for the spotted seatrout, working deeper grass flats during incoming tides produces good action. Areas where a good title flow exists will produce better than areas of stagnant water. With water temps dropping slightly try some artificials for the trout. Soft plastics on a jig head or topwater plugs are good options. Definitely try the topwater lures if large schools of mullet are present in the areas where you’re targeting trout.
Offshore in the Gulf
Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, fishing structure such as reefs and wrecks is putting a bend in the rods. Spanish mackerel are the most apparent as they quickly ravage free-lined live shiners as bait. On many occasions the bite should occur within a few seconds of your bait hitting the surface of the water. Other species being found around structure include mangrove snapper, gag grouper and cobia.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing over artificial reefs is yielding plenty of Spanish mackerel with some catches reaching 22 inches.
Cobia are managing to let their curiosity get the best of them as they rise to the surface of the water within a few feet of the boat. Having a large spinning rod ready to drop a bait in front of them is smart. We had two fish on at once one morning.
On the Flats
Moving to the flats, snook, redfish and trout are cooperating when offered live shiners as bait. On higher tides snook and reds are being caught close to mangrove shorelines. During lower stages of the tide I’m finding trout on the deeper flats.
Visit https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ for salt water regulations.
