With Fall in full swing and winter approaching, hordes of bait is flushing down the coast. Inshore and offshore is on fire right now before coldfronts start.
Off the beaches, bait is balled up everywhere! Look for the flocking birds to point out the way. Upon arrival of the mass of birds you can see large spanish mackeral, ladyfish, and bluefish flying out of the water feasting on the tightly packed bait. With sporatic tarpon and sharks joining in on the mayhem. Under the surface out of sight fast moving kingfish and cobia are taking advantage of all the wounded bait falling t the bottom.
The is complete chaos, with so much action going on it's almost impossible to target one species. Sharks are probably the only thing you can target by using larger baits. I beleave these fish are flying through the mass of bait with their mouthes open just gorgeing themselves.
Inshore amongst the inlets and barrior islands, the tides are flushing in the bait as well. All the inlets are holding plenty of willing snook. Any point with tide pushing bait in you will find hungry redfish and snook. Snook will be moving farther back into the islands as water temps start to drop. With the lower tides of the season sight fishing is picking up. Multiple redfish are being caught on many points as they are still holding in small schools. Jigs and weighted flies are the weapon of choice.
Farther back in the back country creeks on the falling tides, juvenile tarpon up to 30 pounds are feeding on food flushing out of the flooded Everglades. Topwater plugs are by far the most exciting strike at first light! The only problem is they tend to throw the plug more then it staying attached! Fun none the less! The best way to stay attached is to switch out the treble hooks with single hooks for deeper penetration. My favorite way is of course the fly, a black deer hair fly that pushes alot of water will get smashed everytime. As the sun rises I prefer a chartruece sea-ducer or even one with a little orange or red to resemble the cichlids flushing out with the runoff!
This is probably the most active time to fish out of this area. Book a charter and witness the best fishing the state has to offer this time of year.
Captain Jeff Legutki
Anglers Addiction Guide Service
www.naplesfloridaflyfishing.com
