This Fall was beautiful with average air temperatures in the mid 80s and water temperatures in the upper 70s to mid 80s. Fall always gets the fish biting. We have the Redfish schooling and going into spawn, the Tarpon migration heading south for the winter, the Snook fattening up for their winter slumber, and of course the large migration of the Sea Trout coming into feed. Snook season opened on October 1st this year, allowing us to keep 1 Snook per day if you could get it in the slot (28″ to 33″). It may sound easy but it’s incredibly difficult, with most Snook being to big or too small. The challenge is real. Pictured below is my client Bill with a Snook that was 2″ too big. October is the best time try and get a keeper Snook in the slot.
Redfish this time of year tend to bite on every trip, giving everyone the chance to try and get them out of the mangroves. A well placed bucktail or soft plastic jig usually gets the job done. If not a well placed, a piece of Ladyfish will do the trick. Pictured above is Dave holding a typical 24″ Redfish and below is Marco holding a large 31″ Redfish.
The most common sight in Fall is limits of Sea Trout filling the cooler. Pockets of Sea Trout can be found all throughout the region and once you find them it can be cast after cast of catching them. Some of the pockets will hold 30 to 50 fish in a school. The best tactic for catching is a popping cork rig or paddle tail soft plastic jig. The best size for keepers is 16′ to 18′ a very sweet meat fish that is easily prepared.
I hope to get you out on the water this fall for some fun action in The Ten Thousand Islands. Thank you for the read and visiting my site. Please give me a call for availability, best tides, and scheduling.
Tight Lines and thank you,
Captain Jim Fortman
239-325-7109
Backwater Fishing in Naples & the Ten Thousand Islands 