Catch of the Day Charters
Image 1 & 2 Graduation Trip from SC boxed a 44lb Wahoo
September marks the beginning of our transition into fall offshore fishing along the Treasure Coast. While live bait can still be incredibly productive, we’ll gradually shift our focus back toward trolling as bait schools become less predictable and pelagic fish begin spreading out along current edges, color changes, and offshore structure.
This is the time of year when the dredges come back out, squid teaser chains hit the water, and rigged ballyhoo once again become a staple in our spread. As we begin targeting deeper water, our trolling program allows us to cover more ground in search of sailfish, mahi, blackfin tuna, kingfish, and one of our favorite fall targets—wahoo.
September often provides excellent opportunities for trophy wahoo off Stuart. We’ll frequently pull planer baits rigged with J-hook ballyhoo, split-tail mullet, or even XL bonito strips to target these speedsters. Wahoo bites happen in an instant, and when they do, there’s usually no mistaking what just ate the bait.
Kingfish action should continue improving throughout the month as they stage along the reefs and offshore ledges. Blackfin tuna remain a possibility along strong current edges and offshore bait concentrations, while mahi can still be found around scattered weed lines, floating debris, and clean blue water where favorable currents converge.
Although we’re transitioning back into trolling, we’re always prepared to adjust our game plan. If we locate healthy bait schools or find sailfish actively feeding, we’ll never hesitate to switch over to live bait. Staying flexible and fishing the conditions is one of the biggest keys to consistently producing quality catches this time of year. Don’t be afraid to drop down to a lighter class leader or use a shorter trace of wire if the bite is slow on calm clear days it can make a huge difference for finicky fish!
Bottom fishing also remains a great option when conditions allow. Vermilion snapper, lane snapper, triggerfish, and the occasional mutton snapper continue providing steady action over productive bottom areas, giving anglers the opportunity to head home with fresh fish for dinner.
With summer fading and fall knocking on the door, September brings some of the most exciting offshore fishing of the year. As the seasons begin to change, it’s also the time of year to keep a close eye on the weather. The best fishing often comes when favorable weather windows line up with clean water and good current, so don’t miss those opportunities. If you’ve been thinking about getting offshore this fall, September is a great time to get your trip on the calendar. We look forward to seeing you on the water.
Capt. Trent Shapiro
Catch of the Day Charters
(772) 208-0171
cotdcharters@gmail.com
CatchoftheDayCharters.com
