South County Inshore & Freshwater: Oct. 2021

By Capt. Patrick Smith Contributing Writer

Capt. Pat with a nice permit that was cruising the flats and fell for a live crab.

Hopefully we are about to see a change in season along with cool fronts. The mullet should come pouring down the beach headed south. Following the schools of bait will be all the predators you could hope for like tarpon, snook, sharks, and monster jacks. The fishing is simple, a solid piece of leader (60 to 80 pound fluoro is my preference) and a 9/0 circle hook. Getting bait with your cast net before heading out on the boat is a great idea. Find some mullet and then find the fish eating them. Be patient as it’s going to take a while for them to pick your bait out of the tens of thousands of others.

Logan caught this monster clown knifefish, his dad Roy is giving him a hand holding it up.

On the freshwater this is the beginning of the best three months of the year. Live bait bites should be nonstop, and the fishing should be great all day. Cold fronts will determine the depth. If it gets cold fish deep until it warms up. Deep Crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps are a staple for me this time of year.

This is the time of the year that we get a few shots at bonefish on the beach.

Capt. Patrick Smith

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