As we approach the third week of September, the barrage of daylong 90-plus temps is slowly seeing some interruptions as cooler breezes from the northeast and slightly milder temperatures in the mornings and evenings reveal that fall is near.
Although the cooler interruptions seem brief — and in some instances barely noticeable — they are impacting the fish and how they behave as they sense cooler days to come.
Large schools of bait fish are inhabiting our inland waters, both on the flats and along the Gulf beaches, triggering species like Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jack crevalle to gather in schools and prowl the shallows in search of a meal.
The predators cause a spectacle as the water surface erupts in splashes and bait fish jump out of the water so as to not be eaten, only to realize that shorebirds are attacking from above, leaving no escape.
Species like snook, redfish and trout are aware of the changes occurring, even if it is ever so subtle. They’re gathering over deeper flats, waiting to ambush schools of glass minnows and small hatch bait in hopes of packing on the pounds in the weeks to come.
Snook and redfish are patrolling the shallows as they acclimate to the flats after a few months along the Gulf beaches and in the passes.
Moving out deeper to the nearshore and offshore, the bite is turning on for bottom species, like gag and red grouper, which become more targetable as they move to slightly shallow waters with slightly cooler temperatures.
Migratory fish like blackfin tuna and amberjack are making a showing, especially around large schools of bait in the Gulf of Mexico. Artificial reefs and wrecks are good places to look as they attract the bait that in turn attracts the predators.
As we experience a sense of fall in the air, know that fish are sensing it, too.
In the weeks to come, as the days get shorter and the water temp begins to cool, we should experience some great fall fishing.
On my Just Reel charters, I’m finding plenty of action for clients in the back waters of Tampa Bay. Targeting spotted seatrout over deep grass flats is yielding nonstop action on fish 14-18 inches with lucky anglers hooking into a few trout in the 20-inch range. Limits of trout are attainable with a mix of bluefish, ladyfish, mackerel and jack crevalle to add some variety.
Mangrove snapper are still showing in good numbers with limits attainable most days. Depending on the tides, these fish are being caught by either bottom fishing or free-lining baits.
On the flats, snook fishing is getting better, especially during higher stages of the tide. The same applies for redfish, which are taking bait along mangrove shorelines.
Capt. Johnny Mattay is impressed with the inshore fishing this past week. Targeting redfish on the flats is yielding action during the higher stages of the tide and Mattay says snook are being caught with the redfish, adding unexpected thrills to the bite.
Limits of spotted seatrout are being caught on deeper grass flats and more are being caught without too much effort.
Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, Mattay says gag grouper and mangrove snapper are abundant throughout the nearshore waters over hard bottom and wrecks. Limits of both are attainable.
In waters exceeding 100 feet, Mattay is finding American red snapper, red grouper and more gag grouper along with yellowtail and mangrove snapper.
Capt. David White says he’s finding plenty of action on gag grouper while working depths of 80-100 feet in the Gulf and with gag grouper season ending at the end of the month, he’s targeting the fish as much as possible.
Using live pinfish as bait is yielding numerous keeper gags and many examples exceeding the minimum of 24 inches. White says he’s moving to shallower waters to also target mangrove snapper.
While fishing reefs, ledges and other structure, White says the numbers of mangrove snapper 12-16 inches are filling his clients’ coolers.
In the inland waters of Tampa Bay southward to Sarasota Bay, White is targeting redfish. Casting live shiners around mangrove shorelines and oyster bars is leading to quite a few hookups with sizes measuring 15-30 inches.
Lastly, White is doing some backwater fly fishing trips, which is leading to a variety of species, including snook, redfish, trout and macks.
Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.
