How is everyone doing this fall? The weather couldn't be any nicer here on Anna Maria Island, mid 70's during the day and a little cooler at night. Lots of sunshine, lower humidity and you have to love Florida this time of Year.
Well now as for fishing, the last few weeks have been equivalent to the weather. Two weeks ago the offshore was as fast as it could be. With water in the mid 70's, king fish and mackerel were everywhere. Many days it was as fast as you could drop bait over the side. King fish where 8 to 20 pounds on average, with some approaching 40 pounds. The mackerel where huge, some up to 30 inches. Last weeks cold front dropped the water temp down 10 degrees. It put a hurting on the offshore fishing but inshore it really bunched up the fish and we had some great days on snook and redfish. The snook, redfish and trout where all bunched up together so you never knew what would bite your line next. One thing for sure, you didn't have to wait long to find out. Lots of the reds have been nice keepers with some larger ones over 30 inches. We have been catching mostly short snook but we did have a few in the 30 inch class. Since the last cold front I have spent all my days' inshore fishing, fishing has been good enough that I haven't ventured offshore to see if the kings are biting out there again. I may try them a couple of days this week if the water warms more. There may still be some good action, either way, I'm happy to stay inside. It has been so enjoyable on the flats this past week, nice weather; great fishing and I haven't really had to move the boat much. One, two, maybe three spots is all the action one can handle.
Well I hope you have enjoyed my report. If you are heading out on the water this fall good luck! If you would like to get out there with me and have a killer day, I still have some days open this fall.
