by Greg Poland
October is a great time to fish in the Islamorada area. The flats have bonefish and permit, the bridges have a few tarpon around and the backcountry fishing, close to the keys have had good fishing for trout and jacks if you are just looking to bend a rod. If you’re looking to catch something to have for dinner head out to the shallow patch reefs in the 20-40ft range and I am sure you will be able to put together a mixed bag of edible fish for a nice meal.
For this type of fishing I like to take along lots of live shrimp or pilchards and a dozen pinfish. I always take 3-4 boxes of frozen chum & as soon as I get to my spot I put out the chum bag and drive in a circle around my spot a few times, I always say chumming is kind of like handing out business cards. Spread out your chum then anchor up current of the spot and add a second chum bag to the other side of the boat. I like to let the fish get use to the boat and will start by throwing a few shrimp or pilchards behind the boat without hooks, then I put a hook in a bait and free line it out in the chum slick. I like a small circle hook on a long 15-20ft fluorocarbon leader of 12-15lb for this style of fishing on a 6-7 ft. spinning rod with beaded line.
I love freelancing down the chum slick but I also have a rod back behind the boat with a larger bait like a pinfish. For this rod I like beaded line again with a long fluorocarbon leader but I bump it up to 30lb and have enough of a lead sinker to anchor it to the bottom. Keep a spin rod rigged with a larger bait of hogy soft lure on it just in case something like a cobia or big school of jacks swim up into your chum slick.
On my boat I always have a few extra rods rigged and ready just in case something swims up to the boat. Good luck out on the water, and if you would like to get out on my new contender give me a call you can check out all my info at www.gregpoland.com I would love to get out on the water with you on your boat or mine.
Capt. Greg Poland
305.393.3327 | gregpoland.com
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