Indian River Fishing Report – October 2016

During the month of October, anglers should be able to enjoy a change of season and comfortable temperatures while fishing along Florida’s Space Coast. With this in mind, game fish will not be able to resist an easy meal throughout our region.

To begin with, anglers can expect for the early morning bite to be its best in our inshore waters. Small noisy top water lures such as Heddon Saltwater Super Spook, JR. (redfish or golden shiner) will work very well along the flats. When using this lure, anglers will want to follow a simple approach when targeting fish such as redfish, trout, or even snook. This approach consists of making long accurate cast to a targeted area and fishing the bait as quietly as possible. One of the best ways to do so is to fish in 3 to 4 feet of water along the flats. Anglers will want to concentrate their time fishing near schools of bait fish or ambush sites such as old dock pilings or other structure. Retrieving your bait slowly with a “walk the dog” side to side motion will be the best way to target a hungry fish.

In addition, anglers can expect to catch redfish or black drum while fishing with cut bait. This approach to fishing requires a little patience but very little effort. During this time of year, redfish will not be able to resist a fresh chunk of cut mullet or ladyfish rigged onto a 6/0 circle hook. The best rod and reel combo to use for a successful hook up is a 7 foot medium action spinning reel combo equipped with 25 pound test braided line and mono leader. Fishing this bait on the bottom along channel drop offs or mangrove shorelines with steep drop offs can have surprising results. During this time of year, it will not be uncommon to catch a redfish that measures over the legal slot limit of 27”.

Also, now is a good time to target snook along the beach. During this time of year, snook will be chasing schools of mullet up and down our coast. Anglers will find that a free lined live shrimp, pinfish, or mullet rigged on a circle hook will work well when conditions are calm. Many of these fish can be caught at first light during a falling tide. Anglers will want to use a medium action spinning reel combo beefed up with 50 pound test braided line and 30 pound test mono leader. The legal slot size limit for snook in the Atlantic is 28” to 32”.
Tight lines and good luck.

Capt. Keith Mixon
Mixin’ Work With Play Fishing Charters
www.mixinworkwithplay.com
321-212-8484