Well summer is slowly fading away and so are the summer fish. I look for the waters to start cooling off a few degrees and that should bring the migrating fish back south. I would start looking for the cobia and sailfish to start moving south even though we have had a very strong bite on them all summer long.
The one thing on everyone’s mind is RED SNAPPER! Will they continue the open weekend seasons? I hope that everyone was able to get their quota. I ask everyone that catches one to please let the FWC do their work and give them the needed info, this will help to possibly keep the season open.
The bottom fishing will continue to improve as the water starts getting cooler. Bottom fish can be caught on many different types of bait, live fish to chunks of fish. The best is live bait, and I have found greenies, pogies and pinfish all work very well. These fish will be holding up tight to structure and reefs. Vertical jigs will also work very well. I have found that slowly pulling the fish away from the area makes it easier to get them to the surface. If you should catch an undersized fish, remember to vent it and return it back to the water as fast as possible.
Kingfish will be moving in closer to shore as the late mullet run starts. This will help the person with the smaller boat. Remember to have plenty of stinger rigs on board as a nice size king will twist that wire and it will not be able to be used again. Make sure your reels have plenty of line on them if not replace it because you never can tell when that 50 pound king is going to take the bait.
The sharks are going to be a problem again this month as the mullet run will be going on. Sharks will be here and you will catch plenty of them before you get your prize fish. Sharks are a great fighting fish and will test your strength and stamina.
For my new readers in the Treasure Coast area, I will be adding more info from Sebastian Inlet to the south. Please be patient.