by Capt. Terry Fisher
I am always happy when October comes around with the long, hot ‘dog’ days of summer behind us. October is usually a game changer as cooler weather and water temperatures offer relief for both anglers and fish. The only caveat might be the threat of a strong tropical system or hurricane, but unlikely. It is true that we have had our share of water problems from the Red Tide and Algae Blooms, but those should be behind us, allowing all to focus on finding the fish that normally indulges our presentations, being artificial or live.
In September, FWC placed harvest restrictions on snook and redfish. As of this writing they were considering including seatrout, which are suspected to have suffered a very high mortality rate. If these restrictions preserve, protect and rebuild the fish populations, I am all for it. Anglers are still allowed to catch and release any fish. I was able to catch fish on every charter in September, but I had to work harder and move around more than usual to find fish. Admittedly, the productivity was low. Only time will tell as to the amount of damage the fish populations suffered, but I know for a fact that there are plenty of fish out there to be caught. There was very little fishing pressure throughout September and with the improved water conditions, October should produce some good catches.
More good news is that I have observed lots of birds chasing bait in and around Pine Island Sound, Redfish Pass, Captiva Pass and Charlotte Harbor. These birds are diving into feeding frenzies from Jack Crevalle, ladyfish, seatrout and pompano. Healthy shrimps and pinfish are available at the bait shops and the pods of baitfish offer the most demanding angler opportunities to throw a cast net.
October is usually a terrific month to catch redfish. I prefer to anchor up on an incoming tide at mangrove and spoil islands holding oysters. Dead oyster clusters house small crabs and shrimps. Redfish are bottom feeders and their strong jaws crush the oyster shells exposing those small crab or shrimp. My baits of choice are large shrimp, cut crab, pinfish or ladyfish presentations. Redfish will also take artificial presentations, such as weed-less, soft paddle tails or gold spoons. Anglers tossing artificial ‘baits’ need to have a boat with a trolling motor or a kayak so as to work all of the water around the islands. Never stay too long in one spot. Stay on the move.
Snook will be found where the redfish hang out. However, I prefer to fish snook on an outgoing tide in the passes, under docks, close to seawalls (wherever there are moving water and structure). Free-lining big shrimp, pinfish, mullet and pilchards prove to be the most successful live presentations. Huge snook love live mullet. In my experiences, artificial presentations are more effective on snook than on redfish. Lures such as Mirr-0-Dine, soft plastics, swim baits will get the job done.
Pompano were here in September. I was catching them off of the bars in Charlotte Harbor and around Jug Creek Shoal just off of Bokeelia. They were most active on Silly Willy Jigs, as well as the small pompano rigs. I will be fishing for them this month at the same locations.
Seatrout are very scarce, but I target them on the grass flats throughout Pine Island Sound with shrimp under popping corks in 4-6 foot of water. Hopefully, they were just hiding and will return to their usual feeding grounds this month.
Mangrove snapper are always around mangrove roots, piles and docks. Remember to use small circle hooks when targeting these fish. Live shrimp should be the bait of choice for good results inshore.
Jack Crevalle, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel and estuary sharks will round out the inshore catches. They will likely be found in the same area and depths as seatrout. Shrimp under a popping cork will be a bait of choice. Most any type of artificial presentation will get results when the fish are located and the bite is on.
Moving water (incoming or outgoing tide) will be good times to target seatrout, pompano, Spanish mackerel, Jacks and mangrove snapper. Non-moving (slack tide) is normally not as productive. There is more time to fish for these species on the open grass flats than when targeting Snook and Redfish in ‘back-country’ locations requiring high tide levels (which offers only about a 3-hour window) for accessibility.
I will predict that both ends of Pine Island Sound (from Sanibel to Charlotte Harbor) will hold fish this month. Fish moving water and stay ‘on the move’ to locate fish.