September has been great for fishing so far, and after yesterday, seeing that big school of tailing redfish gives me great hope that this fall is going to be lights out! September is half way over and we have put a lot of great fish in the boat, especially when it comes to redfish. Redfish are starting to school up in preparation for their annual spawn which typically happens in October. We are also getting some great tides with a lot of moving water. Fish are always more active on the moving tide.
I wanted to highlight an experience/trip I had the privilege to guide. A few kids were harassed while fishing in my community. A cruel individual approached them and threatened them and threw their tackle into the water. The interaction really scared the kids, so I offered to take the kids fishing, because no kid should ever be made to feel that way! Here is a link to the story. Link
I have been switching things up depending on the tides and water levels. Somedays it is straight to snook and redfish, other days I am waiting on the tides and knocking trout off this list first thing. Trout fishing has been pretty solid and should get really good as the water temps start to cool down as we move into winter. Yesterday we caught a few big trout on the edge of one of the flats. Its pretty early so that is a good sign the trout fishing will be great this fall and winter. Trout have been eating white bait and smaller pinfish. Every once in awhile I will get one on cut bait, but those fish tend to be really big trout.
Snook fishing has been a little weird the past few weeks. Some days we are on them and other its just a few. The seem to be moving around a lot and nothing has been consistent. We have caught a handful of nice slot-sized snook and lost a few monsters. They don’t get big from being dumb. Snook have mostly been eating white bait, but a few have been chewing on the pinfish.
Redfish have been the stars of the show lately and will remain that way for the foreseeable future. On high water the redfish are tucked under the mangroves. We have been chumming white bait and tossing pinfish under the trees to get the bites. Sometimes I cut the tails off of the pinfish to try and keep them under the trees longer. The bait fish know that in the shadows danger lurks. If you get the redfish chummed up, they will eat just about anything you throw out there.
Catching white bait has been frustrating to say the least. One day its great the next day its not. Some days it all giant baits and then its lots of tiny bait that gill up in your net and clog your live well drains. Pretty soon they will all grow up and it we be game on. Until then we work with what we get. Pinfish have been excellent and they are a great size for redfish right now.
We have caught redfish fishing multiple ways. Sight casting to them, actively chumming, or using cut bait either ladyfish or cut pinfish. Everything seems to be working so it pays to be patient and try different techniques throughout the day. Not just being a one trick pony! I know guides who refuse to chunk cut bait, but if it’s working then why not. Cut bait days can be very productive and if the wind is howling it always a great option to sit back, relax, have fun, and wait for the fish to find us.
I highly recommend booking a inshore fishing trip for this fall and even the winter time. Fishing will be great and the cooler it gets the better it becomes. Plus, the water will start to clear up as it’s gets colder making sight fishing with artificial lures really fun. Nothing is more exciting that casting at a tailing redfish and getting the hook up! Fishing is fun!
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Capt. Bucky Goldman of Bag’Em Fishing Charters 407-977-7650