John Detmer
with a Shimano 8000 Bait Runner Reel spooled with 12 lb test mono.
September excels in all kinds of natural wonders that can’t be helped seeing on the Space Coast Beaches. July and August saw catches of sharks, whiting, snook, drum, redfish and the monster Kingfish caught by Brian Struttmann pictured above. Each time I went fishing, it took 45 to 50 minutes to get to the fishing because of all the nature that we observed. One day in August as we stood on a crossover to the beach; I had planned to stop and talk to the anglers about wind, surf conditions and tides. That took about 10 minutes and it took another 40 minutes of pointing out turtle tracks on the beach from the night before, then identifying the species of turtle that came out of the surf, went up the beach to lay their eggs and the tracks of the turtle returning to the surf. Pelicans diving and larger fish hitting bait pods close to shore, tarpon sounding just past the third sand bar, one lone manatee cursing just off shore and this is what anglers/beach goers can expect to see daily on our beaches in September: how great is that!
Bait has been plentiful in the surf all summer which is why all the great catches. September it will become even greater with the opening of Snook Season on the first and the Fall Bait Run soon after. In late August or September finger mullet by the thousands will be swimming south along our beaches and the sports pages and fishing reports will announce the arrival. Anglers will be tuned up for this short lived surf fishing event. Surf anglers will be fishing early and late to catch snook which is an outstanding game fish and table fare. Seas can be calm and winds light for surf anglers so this is the time to target big fish in the trough. The bait fish( mullet )run right next to shore and every predator fish I can name is waiting for them and an easy meal. Finally, just cast net a few mullet for your bucket and you’re ready to go.
Rigging:
Brian used a 7ft Ande Rod and Shimano 8000 Bait Runner Reel spooled with 12 lb test mono that allowed him to land his 56 inch Kingfish from the beach. On the 12 Lb test running line he added a 1oz barrel sinker above a swivel that he tied 12 to 15 inches of 40 lb fluorocarbon leader materal to a 4/0 circle hook and big live croaker. Add a good deal of fishing skill and anyone can do it?
Notes:
Catch a big fish, take a picture and release the fish unharmed for the next angler.
If you need a shore license, please get one (free to Florida residents) and while you’re at it you can get a snook stamp if you plan to take one home for dinner.
Saltwater Rules and Regulations are free online at “myfwc.com” and at tax offices and tackle shops. Tight Lines
John Detmer
Owner/Operator of J&H Surf Fishing the Space Coast
321-777-5554 or email
jandhsurffishing1@att.net
www.jandhsurffishing.com