October has arrived in style with slightly milder temperatures. Red fishing in the bay has really picked up the past few days, with most of the fish hanging around depths of 4 –6 ft near drop-offs or deeper water. I have also caught some nice upper slot fish on a few of my favorite docks that are in the ICW. I've been pitching a 3" Natural Color Berkeley shrimp on a weighted super-line EWG Gamakatsu hook. This type of hook adds just enough weight for a slow presentation to entice a hungry Redfish to strike. The trout bite has also picked up as the water temperature has cooled. Fishing in October is a great time to fish for inshore species since they start to feed more regularly as the water temperatures cool. King Mackerel and Spanish are flooding the bays looking for large schools of bait. Trolling a Mann's Stretch 25 with 60lb mono will produce some good strikes from Kings and even big Spanish mackerel. If you have a live eley or cigar minnow on a wire leader this will put you on some fish, too. In the middle of October and near the end of the month, the bigger Redfish will start to show up off our beaches and in our bays. This has to be some of the best fishing there is, and it lasts until mid February. Flounder are on the move, heading out to the gulf to spawn, and October is one of the best months to catch these great eating fish.
If you are into bottom fishing for Red Snapper you only have until November 1st, when the season closes. The last day to keep a Red Snapper is Oct. 31st, so when you have time and the weather is right, go out and get some great eating red snapper for dinner.
As you can see, the start of October looks to be a great month, and the fall fishing is only going to get better.
Till next time, here's wishing you bent rods and screaming drags.
Capt. John Rivers
Mega-Bite Charters
850-341-9816
Thanks to my sponsors:
Mann's Lures, High Roller Lures, SPRO Fishing Tackle, Gamakatsu Hooks,
Pure Fishing - Berkley & ABU Garcia, Shakespeare Fishing, Sea Pro Boats.
