In my opinion, October is the best month of the year to fish because of the fall mullet run, cooler air and water temps which really, really turn the fish on. Finger mullet are cruising down the beach and pouring into the St. Lucie Inlet and the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie Rivers (North and South Forks). Look for snook, reds, trout, tarpon, jacks and sharks just to name a few, that take advantage of the fall mullet run. Pull up on the flats at first light and watch the nervous bait get pounded by large predators looking for an easy meal. Topwater lures like D.O.A. Finger Mullet and B.F.L.’s are a “go to” bait for artificials, or free line a live mullet on the edge of the bait schools. Believe me, it won’t take long before you get a hit!
We have to watch the freshwater runoff into the St. Lucie which drops the salinity content and drives some of the fish off . Snook can acclimate themselves to low salinity but the problem is the mullet will draw a line in the water and will not venture to far up the St. Lucie with low salt content. Snook will be hanging on the docks and bridges looking for a nice finger mullet on a 3/8 jig head. If you are looking for a four-inch plus snook, now is the time. Want to fish the beach? Drive out to the island with your surf rod and Krocodile spoon and look for the mullet schools. Close by, hunting the bait will be bluefish, Spanish mackerel, snook, sharks, and more. More toothy critters as the month ends so beef up the mono leader.
Keep the waterways clean and wear your Bullfrog.
FORECAST BY: Capt. John Young
Bites On Guide Service
Snook, Trout, Redfi sh, Tarpon, Kingfish
Phone: (772) 708-3593
Email: snoooky12@yahoo.com