W hen I think “Fall Fishing” the smile on my face stretches from ear to ear. This is the time of year that gives anglers the best opportunity to land the fish of a lifetime. As fish transition from their summer spawning mode and migrate to their winter haunts, kayak anglers are provided with arguably the hottest action of the year. Any hint of chill in the morning air will start to trigger most species to go into gorge mode. Fortunately for these ravenous fish the bait will be teeming in abundance and at the largest size of the year. We will start to see inshore waters clear and morning tides drop. Back country kayak anglers begin to drool as sight fishing opportunities remind us all again why we love our plastic boats that float in two inches of water.
While snook, seatrout and flounder will be the prime target for many, redfish become the stars of the show and yak anglers’ number one fall target.
As fall sets in, redfish will begin to form huge schools from the coast of the Carolinas all the way down around Florida, up through the Gulf States into Texas. These ravenous herds provide the year’s best opportunity to catch the fabled “Bulls”. Thirty inch fish will become closer to the norm and a forty inch red will become a distinct possibility. These big breeders will be found off the beaches, through the passes and all the way up onto the shallowest flats and marshes. With your kayak and a little local knowledge you will be able to effectively target them in any scenario.
How you target these redfish is a matter of personal preference. My favorite is locating the school, then throwing a Spook jr. or One Knocker plug with 4x trebles into the school and walking the dog through the school all the while watching the reds fight off each other until one inhales it. Once hooked up it is best to stake out or anchor as you do not want to drift over the school and blow it out. Many times several fish from the school will follow the hooked red to the boat. If you are fishing with a partner, they often will get a shot at one of the redfish already headed to your boat. If you are fishing a little deeper, a Sebile Stick Shad or large jerk bait like the seven inch Gulp! Jerk Shad (a favorite of my Mobile Bay area experts). Bait anglers often think the best option is to fish large chunks of mullet or lady fish on a 5/0 circle hook. Whatever your preferred method of fishing is, Fall is the time to target trophy redfish.
Pedal on!
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