October was a wild and dirty ride for most of us who ventured out. The weather was not very good; I battled rain, wind and anything else mother nature had.
The mullet run is in full swing and should continue for a couple of weeks. This is good for the angler who wants to use live bait and slow troll or bottom fish. If you are going to bottom fish, you will have to run out to 170-200 feet. The grouper will hit the mullet, but you will have better success with live pinfish or grunts. You will also catch the endangered red snapper but remember they need to be released (hope you have a venting tool).
Dolphin, sailfish and bonito are hit or miss at this time, look for rips, edges and weed lines for your best action. Slow trolling live mullet or ballyhoo is the best to target these fish. Kingfish are staying near shore. Slow trolling live bait and using downriggers should produce some action and make those drags sing. Look for that brown bomber to be swimming at times as he makes his southerly trip to warmer waters. Always have that pitch bait ready as many different fish seem to look at the stern of your boat for a hand out.
Remember Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has changed the daily limit of seabass. You used to be able to keep 15 per person per day, but it’s changed to 5 per person per day. The length also has changed to 13 inches. So make sure you measure them. Hopefully November will bring better weather so we can make offshore fishing fun again.
Spanish mackerel will be here for the winter. If you don’t want to venture offshore, fish near the shoreline for that ever wonderful tasting pompano. Tarpon are still swimming around the surf but are getting harder to catch as they also make their way to warmer waters.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!