O ctober; it’s my favorite month for inshore fishing in Florida. Cool nights and cooler days than we’ve had for months will allow our water temperatures to drop. As water temps drop into the low 80s and hopefully the upper 70s our flats denizens will come totally alive!
Between water temperatures being in a more optimal range for the redfish’s and seatrout’s metabolism and the abundance of food throughout the lagoon I’m expecting good things for us fishermen.
I do not expect our local water to magically become crystal clear like during winter, but I do expect improvement in our water clarity. I also expect our water levels to rise as it USUALLY does in the fall season.
Rising water allows the fish access to areas which have been off limits to both us and many of the fish. Redfish and big trout will likely invade the back water areas in search of baitfish, crabs and other foodstuffs that have been relatively unmolested during the low-water season.
Personally I’ll be rigging my rods with Exude Darts, crabs and sometimes tube-baits.
I like a smaller profile lure in the backwaters. Of course, a weedless spoon is often a great choice too and the Aqua Dream spoons will see plenty of action here.
If floating grass allows try a small to medium walk-the-dog plug. If too much grass is floating and I want something on the surface I’ll be rigging a Banks Lures Dock Boss on an unweighted hook. This versatile soft plastic lure “walks” on/in the water’s surface film as long as the angler keeps a proper speed and rod motion. A timely pause will allow the lure to SLOWLY sink and this technique will often trigger a bite from any predator following the lure, but not committing to it!