Captain's Report - September/October, 2005

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Finally, we will see some transition from summer to fall. As days become shorter, water temps will start to decrease from their unseasonably warm readings of the 90's. With each day small fry baits refuse to be affected by the red tide bloom and and are schooled up, heading toward the shoreline. Tarpon and Spanish mackerel are already beginning their ambush on these helpless minnows as they work to the east. We spotted many tarpon working these minnows all the way out to 70 feet of water a few weeks ago. The Spanish macks have been closer to shore starting in forty feet of water. The numbers of predator fish are not nearly as high as previous years, due to the red tide, but numbers are still impressive. More will congregate as the schools keep heading to shore.

This migration of small baitfish is a true sign of our summer ending. As each bait school gets closer to shore, it will start to bundle up with other schools already present, until the passes are blanketed for miles. This magnitude of bait squashed up against the shoreline continually lures in plenty of new arrivals of predators. Sharks, cobia, mackerel jacks, and even tarpon will be close by all the juvenile bait schools as they huddle around our passes. Even trout, redfish, flounder and other smaller baitfish (blue runners, pinfish, ladyfish and skip jacks) will join in on the feeding frenzy. After the long bout of red tide conditions, we will welcome any new arrivals of all fin-fish. That is the glorious thing about our area, our fishing is seasonal. Even after the massive fish kill in recent months, its recovery is inevitable. Each weather change, whether it a hurricane or a cold front, will bring new game fish to our area. By the time Halloween is here, we will have a major rebound of fish stocks into many areas that are now void of life.

Last September produced some decent numbers of tarpon outside many of our passes. If the juvenile bait schools were abundant, so were the tarpon. All it took was a free-lined pinfish or horse minnow near any bait ball and you were sure to hook a silverking. As many as a dozen tarpon could be hooked in one outing when the bite was on.

Offshore action will remain spotty with areas still affected by the tide. We have found in the past, that these eastbound migrating bait balls will often lure gag grouper to them, so it might be worth trying a few spots even if there was no fish in that area a few weeks ago. Everything will basically be on the move this month, which is perfect for our pathetic grouper fishing in 30 to 60 feet of water. All the damage to the plants, corals and sponges makes things look even worse with the absence of fish. After a few weeks of fish moving around and new plant life budding over the old forage, we will start to see a more promising bottom by the end of the month. This will make it easier for more fish to join in and make home of many of the empty rocks. That's what is so great about our area. We have ever changing variables that dictate the presence of fish. By mid October we should start to have a better outlook on the bottom fishing in the shallow waters of 50 feet eastward.

You will still have to work for your catch if going offshore. Grouper fishing is spotty at best in the depths of 100 feet of water. Snapper have pretty much stolen the show for the past month. Expect the same type action for this entire month. Any of the mangrove snapper that have not spawned last month will be ready on this full moon phase. Their appetites are huge at this time. Many of our September mangos are big, some averaging 6 to 8 pounds. That's some of the tastiest fillets in the gulf.

American reds are still available in the deeper waters 130 to 150 feet of water. It's a long run, but always worth the while. A variety of fish can be taken. Everything from amberjacks, grouper, snapper, tuna, barracuda, kings and an occasional wahoo from the surface can be added to the fish box.

A helpful hint is to stop and get live bait in 110 feet of water. Squirrel fish and cigar minnows are available along the bottom and can be taken with ease. You do have to reel them in slowly or many will get the bends and die. A few squirrel fish sometimes need their bellies pierced with a hook or needle to purge the gas out. They swim great after the small surgery and everything likes to eat them in the deeper waters. These live baits always seem to catch out biggest fish each day.

With fuel prices thru the roof it will be nice to have the inshore action picking up. In no time our kingfish migration will in full swing and this long-hard fished summer will be just a memory. When the water temps reach that magical seventies, everything will be going the right way.

October will be the most active month, with numerous species of fish migrating from all directions in the Gulf. Get your tackle ready and prepare... it's all going to bust loose... Grouper, kings, macks, cobia... the list will be endless. Plus, the temps will start to cool, making for a great day on the water.

Captain's Report - September/October, 2005

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Past Captain's Reports