Falling water temps forecast improving inshore bite
Sept. 22 was the official start of fall, and if you haven’t noticed or haven’t been on the water lately, the water temps are beginning to drop.
Not drastically drop, but falling just enough to trigger a migration in our local, inshore species of fish. Schooling redfish are being found throughout our region. Breeder-size trout are moving from the Gulf beaches back to the flats to forage on baitfish and shrimp. And snook are finally showing in numbers in our bays and bayous in preparation for their migration to warmer water for the winter.
In the upcoming weeks, we should see a steady incline in numbers of fish in the backcountry. Baitfish such as shiner and Spanish sardines are abundant around the passes, on the flats and even in the Manatee River. This signals its time for the fall forage. Reds, snook and trout are gearing up to begin fattening up for the winter. The changing season promises to provide some of the year’s best backwater fishing.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is targeting schooling redfish along mangrove shorelines and oyster bars. Gross likes to cast live shiners to these schools when the fish are willing to stay in one spot. Once the school is on the move, Gross is finding better results by setting up his clients to cast gold spoons. This way Gross can maneuver the boat along side the school as it’s moving, and anglers can lead the fish with their spoons. Slot and over-slot reds are being caught using this method.
Gross says he’s seeing spotted seatrout on the hook on the deeper flats just outside of Rattlesnake Key. He is chumming with live baits, instructing clients to cast to feeding fish. The technique is putting keeper trout in the cooler, along with mangrove snapper, mackerel and flounder.
Finally, Gross is finding good numbers of snook on the flats of Tampa Bay, although a large percentage of the fish are under slot-size. A rally of these smaller fish is exciting, and it’s that much more rewarding when a big linesider takes the bait.
Capt. Aaron Lowman at Island Discount Tackle is fishing the flats of Anna Maria south to Longboat Key with good results. By free-lining live shiners, Lowman is finding a variety of backwater species willing to bite.
While fishing mangrove edges, Lowman is catching numerous snook and redfish. Both species are hiding under the bushes, so casting accuracy is a major component in catching these fish. Lowman suggests skipping baits as far as you can under the hanging limbs to achieve a strike.
Once connected, it’s imperative to reel fast and get the fish out of the mangroves, where your line can snap on the dangling roots. Pointing your rod tip downward into the water will aid in this goal.
Spotted seatrout are being found on deeper grass flats adjacent to channels and ditches, where free-lined live shiners are resulting in slot-size trout. Lowman warns you may have to sift through a lot of undersized fish to get a keeper, but limits are attainable.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier still sees good numbers of snapper caught on live shrimp. Most are keeper-size, too. While targeting snapper, pier fishers are picking up an occasional black drum or flounder.
Spanish mackerel are cashing in on the vast amounts of baitfish that are congregating around the pier. Live, free-lined shiners on a long shank hook are a sure bet to get connected with these toothy fish. Small jigs in assorted colors will do the job, as well as silver spoons and Gotcha plugs.
Finally, snook fishing is proving prosperous at the northernmost pier. Live pinfish, shiners and ladyfish are resulting in slot and over-slot fish. Although snook are being caught during the day, nighttime may produce a better bite. These fish like to feed at night, which could ultimately result in multiple hookups.
Capt. Warren Girle is fishing inshore with good results on redfish. Schooling fish are still being found around mangrove shorelines among lush grass flats and oyster bars. Slot and over-slot size fish are being caught on live free-lined shiners and artificials, including Berkley Gulp shrimp.
Spotted seatrout are abundant on deep grass flats in southern Sarasota Bay. In water depths of 4-6 feet, Girle is finding slot-size trout readily feeding on live shiners. Mixed in with the trout are bluefish and Spanish mackerel.
Along the beaches of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, Girle is catching good numbers of Spanish mackerel. By finding schooling baitfish, Girle is leading his clients to the fish. Diving birds are a sure sign that a feeding frenzy is occurring.
While targeting mackerel, Girle sees the occasional cobia. He suggests having a heavy-action rod rigged and ready.
Finally, moving offshore, Girle finds red grouper up to 29 inches in depths about 90 feet. Along with grouper, Girle catches a variety of snapper, including mangrove, vermillion, lane and yellowtail.
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