This is a really fun time to be out there fishing. We will be having huge schools of bait moving from north to south. These baits schools will come in many shapes sizes and locations. Off our beaches we will see the pilchards, glass minnows and herring. Some of the bait will be right on the beach within 10 yards from shore other big pods will be just off the beach 50 to 100 yards from shore. We will see this at the beginning of the month and then the mullet will start moving through towards the middle and end of the month. These mullet move down the inter-coastal in big numbers as well.
Offshore the ballyhoo and sardines will be coming through along with big schools of ocean going mullet. It does not matter if you are inshore fisherman or offshore the focus should be on the bait which will lead to successful catches. You will want to fish with the same exact bait that is moving through at the time. That sounds pretty simple and it is but make sure you are aware of what is going on around you. If you are fishing with a 8 inch Rapala that is supposed look like a mullet but the mullet that are in the schools are 5 inches you will do much better with a smaller plug. Maybe you are off the reef looking for sailfish if you see them chasing ballyhoo then fish with ballyhoo. I can not tell you how many times the reef is lined up with boats flying kites with goggle eyes hanging in the water and the sails and dolphin are chasing the schools of ballyhoo. These are simple mistakes that will cost you this time of year.
Snook, tarpon, jack, ladyfish, bluefish,sharks, mackerel will all be on the prowl off the beaches piers and inter-coastal. Find the bait and you will find the fish. Birds will be the biggest give away to where the fish will be. No birds no bait equal no fish so move on to the next spot until you start seeing action. Sometimes this means checking multiple spots until you start seeing what you are looking for so be patient. Once you find the action spend a few minutes watching the bait to see what is eating it then pick your tackle. Often jacks, blue fish and lady fish are very abundant so you will want a light 10lb set up. If you see tarpon crashing the bait along with spinner sharks step up your tackle. This is the time to use common sense, there is no secret lure or secret spot. Anyone can take advantage.
Dolphin will also become more abundant and they will be shallow between 100 and 300 feet. Again the birds will help you find them, frigates are my favorite bird but often flocks of seagulls and turns will point you in the right direction. Sail fish will show up on the reef in good numbers the last few Septembers have been exceptional and I think better than some of the winter months for targeting sails.
Bait will be easy the fish will be eating so the odds are in your favor. That does not happen to often in this sport so do not procrastinate. It will not last for ever. If we are lucky we will get four or five weeks of nonstop action and it will be some of the best fishing of the year. That is why I call this time of year "Happy Bait Time".
Let me be the first to wish everyone "Happy Bait"
Good luck out there and be careful!