The cooler weather is upon us, finally. Both fish and fisherman are starting to shake off the oppressive heat of summer. Movement of our inshore fish back onto the flats and more baitfish offshore provide lots of action with less sweat. The tarpon bite is still going strong and now is the prime time to fish live bait for them. One easy and straight forward way to catch tarpon is to get a frisky pin fish, put a small float above a 50 lb. mono leader and look out. I like to use a number 5 or 6 live bait J hook. Give a count to five when the fish picks up the bait then set the hook. The bite will be hard and fast. Good places to fish them are the East Pass, the coves around Dog Island and St. George Island and the mouth of the Carrabelle River. This time of year Mud Cove off Alligator Point is wild with tarpon feeding on porgies, or what we call lys, which up north, are called menhaden; many different names for the same fish. You wet pants (wade fishing) anglers are not left out of this by any means. Carrabelle Beach will hold fish so use the same rig and just watch the float so it stays out from the beach.
Offshore, things get very interesting this month. The currents from the Gulf start to throw what are called “guyers” into our area at the 80 to 100 foot depths. This is when we see pelagic fish move into our waters. Sargasso weed will be floating in on the current with flying fish following the flow. Wahoo, dolphin, and tuna hunt in these currents so get those big rods out; rig ballyhoo or plastics and troll alongside the weed lines. Some great catches are in store, we even had an African pompano caught recently. There are great fish out there we just have to target them.
The inshore fishing will continue to improve. Trout will be in the grass flats in big numbers foraging for shrimp and crabs. They’re eager to hit a live pilchard, (scaled herring) fished with that float. Redfish are doing the same thing so be ready for a big crash on the bait. Spanish mackerel are all over the place. This is a good time to get the 10 lb. test outfits out and throw jigs at them. Dog Island Reef is the sure thing this time of year. They are great to eat and a hard fight on light tackle.
Try to remember to give that other fisherman the courtesy of not crowding or running hard too close by them. Good luck and be safe out there.
CAPT. CHESTER REESE
Natural World Charters
(850) 228-9060
www.naturalworldcharters.com