Fishing Report Mid October

If you have the time for a little fishing this week, you really need to visit the nearshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  From the Sanibel Lighthouse flats to the beaches off of Naples, the fishing has been amazing.  There are schools of spanish mackerel, bonita, ladyfish and jacks chasing bait just about everywhere you look.  We’ve been using live shrimp under corks and artificial silver spoons for the best results.  Look for birds and you’ll find the fish.

If you make a stop on a rock pile, ledge or wreck, in less than 30 feet of water, you’ll be on grouper, snapper, pompano and a mix of reef fish.  Cut bait or live shrimp on circle hooks with a little weight is all it takes.

Stone crab season opened on October 15th and that means there are now rows of crab pot buoys in the Gulf.  That also means it’s time to keep an eye out for triple tail.  These hard fighting, delicious to eat fish like to ‘lay’ right next to the buoys, trying to imitate a bit of flotsam or seaweed.  An unsuspecting bait comes along and it’s goodbye bait.  The best method for this kind of fishing is run and gun.  Simply put the boat on step and move along the rows of buoys, keeping a sharp eye out for the fish laid up against them.  If you see one, turn around, set the boat up on the breeze and drift down to the target.  Live shrimp on a small jig or circle hook cast close to the target works well. 

Redfish are feeding around the mangrove islands but only seem happy to eat at the top of the tide.  That means you’re going to have to plan fishing for them very early in the day for the most success.  Live shrimp on jigs and cut ladyfish have been working along with artificial Gulp Shrimp and D.O.A. shrimp lures.  Dark colors work best.

The trout bite picked up mid-week and should continue to improve as the water temperatures come down.  What we really need is a strong cold front to push through to get them stirred up.  You can find them on the grass flats of Pine Island Sound, lower Matlacha Pass and the mid sections of Estero Bay.  Live shrimp under a popping cork will get their attention along with artificial poppers on top.