Fall is right around the corner! September starts to bring some cooler temperatures which will begin the fall flats explosion. Redfish, trout, and flounder will begin to be caught in huge numbers, as these fish want to fatten up for the winter. Look to throw big baits this time of the year to mimic most of the bait that is congregating and schooling around.
I will recommend three go-to artificial baits for the fall. The first is the Heddon One Knocker. This top water plug will mimic most of the oversized finger mullet. Work this plug with the, “walk the dog” motion to trigger optimum bites. The second bait I recommend is a 6” jerk bait, in glow or chartreuse made by DOA. This bait can be rigged either weedless or on a jig head. I will focus on potholes and good mixed bottom to optimize the effectiveness of this soft plastic bait. The last artificial bait that will catch redfish in the Big Bend is the Aqua Dream Living Spoon. I will utilize the spoon to find schooling fish in stained water. When one or two fish are caught off the school, back away and focus on casting the edges to maximize the bite. The fall is a great time to catch big numbers of trophy trout and solid upper slot redfish.
The trout bite has been a little slow in the month of August, due to an enormous amount of
rain. The water all over the Big Bend has been stained from flooding of our marshes and shallow tributaries. September will mark the start of a clearing trend as waters cool off and rain historically slows.
Lanark, St. Theresa and around to Alligator Harbor has produced a number of decent reports of redfish being caught on both ends of the tide. Brad Kirn of FCKA.net has reported very good numbers of redfish being caught in the Alligator Harbor area out of kayaks. Brad is catching most of these redfish in the grass, or along the numerous oyster bars. Top water plugs, small suspending baits, and Slayer SST’s, swimming shads are the ticket for these hungry fish. Fall is here and with it comes your chance to catch a fish of a lifetime. The Big Bend has one of the best fisheries in the entire state. So get out, support your local tackle shop, and bend a rod!
FORECAST BY: Liam Callaghan
IFA Kayak Tour
National Angler of the Year
St Croix Rods Pro Staff Native Watercraft Fishing Team
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