Redfish, Redfishing has been steady. I've been doing best on tides that have good current. Shrimp, shiners & cut bait has been working the best for me. The schools can be from ten to fifty. Fishing reds on the flats can be a casters' dream. On the lower tides, they become very visible with their tails sticking up in the air. Fishing for tailing reds is great fun! The trick is being there when they are feeding. Try working the edges of the sand bars and oyster reefs. Some people call it fishing for reds, I call it hunting. When poling the flats for reds, move very slowly and watch for wakes, tails and boils. When fishing the mangroves, fish the top end of the high tide and get your fly, bait or jig underneath the mangroves as far as you can. This technique will also produce a few snook. A great way to cover a lot of water and it can be very productive. Flies, artificials and bait all are working well for these beautiful strong fighters. Try bait fishing them with pinfish, shrimp or cut bait. Flyfish them against the mangroves and on the flats with a earth tone colored clouser and for some real excitement try top water on the overcast days. Average size about 18" to 30" with some larger ones around. Watch for those TAILS!!!
Snook, The water temperatures are in the low 70's and the snook are starting to slow a bit. Most of the snook have migrated back to their normal places, since the spawn. I've been finding them near mouths of creeks, potholes and under the bushes at high tide. Free lining shiners, pinfish and large shrimp has been producing a few snook to 20lbs. Fishing them on the out going tide usually produces the best results. Brightly colored flies or plastics also are working on some of the deeper holes and against the mangroves. Keep your eyes open and fish them on the tides that create good current. Hungry Snook means Bait, though throwing a well placed fly will usually be rewarded with an aerial show.
Speckled Trout, Fall time produces some large trout! They can be very aggressive on the fly. Look for them in 3' to 5' of water near the edges of the grass flats and sand holes. Watch where the birds are feeding and give it a try. A great top water feeder on overcast days, makes for some sure fun. Again flies, artificials and bait will bag a few of these hard hitting fish.
Tarpon, There is still a few around. Hit when you see them, otherwise it is pretty much over until next spring. I normally fish them in and near the flats in about 4' to 7' of water where they are feeding. When the tarpon are here and conditions are ideal, an experience of a lifetime awaits you. Flies, artificials and bait can hook these sought after critters, but getting them to the boat is a whole other story. These beautiful fish will range from 30lbs. to 200lbs. Average being around 100lbs. They will test your skill and your equipment when hooked with the fly rod or light tackle.
Cobia, Tripletail & Jacks: These three species can be encountered on many of my trips. When you run into these species they are worth throwing for! All are fantastic fighters and can be caught on the fly rod or light tackle.
A day on the flats will always take you home with some memories and remember fishing is fun, so have fun out there! Don't take it so serious that you can't have a good time.
Till the next update take care and keep those lines TIGHT!
CAPT. TERRY PITZ