September is generally a transition month between summer and fall. It usually is a warm-up for later in the fall (our absolute favorite time of year) but, to be honest, September is one of my favorite months of the year for fishing in our area.
Speckled trout will start to bite really well during September. As the water temps start to fall later in the month, trout will start to move and we will be finding good numbers of two- to four-pound fish in the marshes and rivers. Live shrimp fished beneath slip corks will be your best bet, but finger mullet will also get the job done. Shrimp imposters such as the Storm shrimp or Billy Bay halo shrimp will be your best artificial baits.
The king mackerel bite will be pretty consistent on the nearshore structure such as live bottoms, artificial reefs, and ledges. Live menhaden or jigged baits slow-trolled will be the best bait of choice but cigar minnows will also work as well. Most of these fish will be in the 8- to 15-pound range but bigger fish can also be expected. There will still be good numbers of trophy-sized Spanish mackerel on all the nearshore live bottoms. Smaller menhaden on light king rigs will be your best bet.
Flounder will also be on tap for the month of September. Good numbers of keeper-sized fish will be found around all the inshore structure. Live finger mullet fished on Carolina rigs is going to be your best bet but 1/2-ounce bucktails tipped with Gulp jerk shads will also get the job done.
The red drum bite will be pretty consistent during September. We will be finding smaller schools of fish in the marshes behind the barriers islands and in the White Oak River. Topwater baits such as MirrOlure’s TopDawg is an exciting way to trigger a strike from a feeding red drum. Spinnerbaits and scented soft plastics on jig heads are also good artificial baits. Live mullets and pogies on a Carolina rig or beneath a rattle cork will also work on these reds.
Other fish on tap for the month of August will be sheepshead and black drum. Live shrimp fished along oyster beds and marsh creeks will produce the best.
Capt. Robert Hall
Hall’em In Charters
910-330-6999 • www.hallemincharters.com
