With cold fronts starting to reach down south on a more frequent basis and with days getting shorter, this cools water down and tells fish that its time to head to their fall spots. These areas are rivers mouths, creeks, flats, backcountry, and oyster bars just to name a few.
Snook- are definitely on the flats and backcountry. As the water gets cooler the bait will start to move off the shallow water, this will make them more aggressive as they get ready for winter. These fish usually feed heavy all the way until the end of December or when water temperatures start to creep around the 60 Degree mark.
Redfish- are definitely the high light fish for the month of October. They have made their way onto the flats in big schools milling the flats for bait fish. One thing I like about Redfish is that they are not picky. You can catch them on many different types of bait, Pinfish, Greenbacks, Shrimp, Chubs just to name a few! Most artificial baits that imitate any of the above will work great!
Trout- are also picking up. Unlike Snook Trout don't mind cold water, so as it gets colder you can start targeting Trout. Look for deeper healthy grass flats with good water movement. When fishing for Trout, I like to break out the artificial lure tackle bag. I like to use the DOA shrimp, or any of the Fish On Lure Products. Match this with a 1/8 once jig head on ' once depending on the water depth and you will have non stop rod bending.
Captain Jason Prieto is a native resident of Tampa and has fished Tampa Bay and its surrounding waters for the past 20 years. He is owner and operator of Steady Action Fishing Charters which is based out of lower Tampa Bay. To book a charter, you can reach him at 813-727-9890 or www.steadyactionfishingcharters.com. If you would like to catch him on the radio tune into Outdoor Fishing Adventures Saturday mornings from 7AM to 9AM on 860 WGUL talk radio. Tight lines!!!!
