By: Tracy Patterson
October means the transition into the fall season and the shift from summer vacations to carpool lanes and football weekends. For those of us lucky enough to keep fishing in October, we find the lakes and rivers to be a more peaceful experience with the water skiers and jet skiers gone. Offshore, the targeted species are changing, and the fishing can be unpredictable depending on where you are located. It can either be prolific or more like dog days.
It’s still warm enough in the north to fish comfortably, and there are still weekend tournaments being held this month in just about every region across the country. I found a couple dozen tournaments across my home state of Florida. My favorite occurred in late September, the 26th Annual Old Salt and Bill Currie Ford Inshore-Offshore Ladies Tournament in Madeira Beach, near St. Petersburg on the west coast of Florida. Annually, more than 200 women compete for prize money, bragging rights and to raise awareness for ovarian cancer and All Children’s Hospital.
In the Southeast, specifically coastal South Carolina, tarpon are spending their last few weeks before moving south. Ladies, if you haven’t caught a tarpon, you must try it. October will be your last chance to do it this year while they are still thick in South Carolina. They are absolutely one of my favorite species to fight. I spoke to Capt. Josh Boyles at Southern Drawl Outfitters in Hilton Head, S.C who said, “This is a great time of year for ladies to learn to fish. Ladies can take a fishing seminar or a clinic and then spend time on the water with an experienced guide fishing for tarpon.”
My pals at Davey’s Locker in Newport Beach California agree, but recommend a West Coast visit this month for tuna, dorado and yellowtail. Even our guides in the Great Lakes say, “Come on up to Lake Erie and catch some walleye or perch before it gets cold.”
If you want to try fly fishing, the Northeast is the perfect place this time of year. Take a weekend trip to New England, buy or rent a great Orvis set-up, secure a guide and enjoy the beauty of the rivers. I recommend the Connecticut River.
Regardless of where you are located or what type of species you prefer to target, make October the continuation of your summer fun instead of becoming a weekend couch potato. Tivo your football games and go fishing. Or, try night fishing. During the week, get out of the carpool lane, moms, and get out on the water. Your local captain or guide will be thrilled to teach you how to fish or to help you hone those angling skills.
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