The heat did me in again this summer but, I still got to the beach on several mornings. Early and late was the tactic during September and it produced a snook dinner or two. Live mullet and plugs caught snook and the standard pompano rig caught whiting and croakers.
October is a transitional month that will see the winds pick up and become dominant out of the Northeast. This weather pattern usually ushers in the fall/winter surf fishing season. Water temperatures will fall and a northeast wind will become a problem for some surf anglers.
Octobers’ surf casters will be tested casting 4 – 5 once sinkers into head on winds and waves. Anglers will have to judge the wind direction and cast correctly to eliminate large bows from their fishing line. Additionally, will see increased catches of sheepshead, early blues and pompano along with Spanish mackerel in the surf. I suggest you can’t go wrong with one of the following baits: clams, sand fleas, shrimp or mullet. Check with your local tackle shop on what’s biting and on which baits? Hang in there and enjoy the fall fishing it just gets better and better.
Getting your gear(rod/reel) ready for Fall Surf Fishing: If you haven’t used your surf fishing gear in the last 4/5 months now is the time to check it out. Rods: I look at the rod guides to see if their cracked or broken. A broken guide can fray 80/100 yards of fishing line in one cast and retrieve.
The reel is a little more involved. I check the bail, drag knob, drag setting (washers), handle, anti-reverse and finally is the fishing line in good condition. Dry, brittle and/or stiff mono fishing line are prime indicators for putting new line on the reel. Local Tackle Shops can repair your rods and reels or they can direct you to other local repair facilities.
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