Benton Parrott
The weather is cooling off and making it easier to be out on the water. Reds and flounder are still falling for soft plastics slow rolled and bounced off the bottom. We are using saltwater assassins 10w40 limetruese tail or anything with a chartreuse tail in the stained water. In clearer water move to a more natural color like the silver mullet and try to choose a color to match the bait is in the area you are fishing. Good trout are still getting fooled with top water all times of the day. My plug of choice lately has been the spook jr in the mullet pattern. Take your time and slow your presentations down. I find big trout will often attack that slow and easy meal. Also work the water columns to find fish with suspending baits like mirrodines and shad raps.
Kayaks are light, easy to travel with, and you can launch almost anywhere so don’t be afraid to get out of the norm and check out some new areas. Centrally located in the Gulf we are a short drive in any direction to some great fishing. On any given weekend you can find me somewhere on the water between Florida and Louisiana.
Not to miss in September is the IFA Kayak fishing tour Championship Sept 13th and 14th in Grand Isle, LA. You must have qualified by fishing at least 2 previous IFA events. This is a CPR (catch photo, and release) tournament based on the total length of one red fish and one speckled trout per day. The Hobie B.O.S series will be in Alabama at Lake Guntersville Sept. 21st-22nd compete against some of the best kayak bass anglers for prizes and a chance to fish for Team USA in the 2020 Hobie Worlds! More information can be found at https://www.hobie.com/blog/hobie-bass-open-series,974/ October 4th – 5th The King of the Island kayak offshore tournament is in Pensacola. You can buy tickets and get all the info at www.kingoftheislandpensacola.com We keep a running tab of all the events going on in the kayak community on our Kayak Fishing U Facebook page.
Remember while fishing from a kayak to always think safety. We are low to the water and not always easily seen. Keep a 360-degree light on at dark and low light conditions, wear a PFD, keep hydrated, and let someone know your float plan.
Benton Parrott
Hobie Regional Team / Pro Staff Fishing Guide
dbparrott@bellsouth.net