By: Capt. Travis Freeman
It is officially fall fishing season here in the Everglades and for me the fishing is better than EVER this time of year! I’m going to spill a little bit of inside information to all of you. As a 4th generation Everglades City native aka Gladesmen, owner and captain of Steadyfishingcharters. So enough is enough let me get down to business! I have been catching a variety of different fish all over the 10,000 islands and near shores along the Gulf Coast. Everything from snook, redfish, sea trout, cobia, triple tail, mackerel, goliath grouper, permit and many others that live and feed in the Gulf of Mexico or along the 10,000 islands Everglades City area. I like to use live shrimp and live white bait such as figure mullet or threads. Anything from 4 to 6 inches seems to work great for us. Stick that live white bait on a #4 J hook with a 1/2oz sinker on 40lb floral carbon leader just above the hook and you will not be disappointed. As for the shrimp, you can always fish it the same way to get it on the bottom or I like to use about 3ft of 40lb floral carbon leader with a popping cork rigged to a #4 J hook with a 1/4oz weight just above the hook to keep your bait pulled down and fishing correctly. Another tip. We have been catching a ton of fish on artificial. Casting rocks, deep points, structure and trees. Using a live target 3-inch pilchard or a 4-inch jerk bait brown and white in color. I know you will reel in some monsters using artificial baits in and long the rivers. Anything that connects to the Gulf of Mexico and in places all along the 10,000 islands area where the water moves in and out with the changing of the tides from the Gulf. Local bridges are great to fish from with these artificial lures and jerk baits and let’s not forget we are talking about the Everglades aka 10,000 islands and nothing is more therapeutic then cruising through the Everglades watching the beautiful sunrise as the wind is blowing through your hair… on your way to catch a fish of a lifetime so you can cross that off of your bucket list! Until next time God bless.
