As we move into mid-October here on Anna Maria Island, the weather is finally starting to cool off — and that means one thing: the fish are hungry. With the first real cold fronts pushing through, the water temperatures are beginning to drop just enough to trigger that fall feeding frenzy. This is the time of year when everything from snook to redfish and mackerel goes into feed mode, bulking up before the winter slowdown.
Snook & Redfish Action
Snook fishing has stayed hot around the passes, bridges, and mangrove edges. The cooling water has them chewing early and late in the day, especially on moving tides. Live bait like pilchards and pinfish are still producing the best results, but artificial lures such as soft plastics and topwater plugs are also working well during low-light periods. Redfish are schooling up in good numbers on the flats and around oyster bars, taking advantage of the influx of bait.
Mackerel & Nearshore Bites
Spanish mackerel have been thick just off the beaches and around the artificial reefs. Look for diving birds and surface activity — it’s usually a feeding frenzy underneath. Throwing spoons, Gotcha plugs, or free-lined live baits will get instant strikes. Kingfish are beginning to make an appearance too, and that action will only get better as we move deeper into October.
Fall Patterns Ahead
These early fronts are setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be a fantastic fall season. As the water keeps cooling, expect the bite to stay steady and even pick up around the full moon tides. Cooler mornings, lighter humidity, and hungry fish make this one of the most enjoyable times of year to be on the water.
If you’re ready to experience this incredible fall action firsthand, now’s the time to book your Anna Maria Island fishing charter with Capt. Nate’s Fishing Charters. The weather’s beautiful, the crowds are lighter, and the fish are feeding hard — it doesn’t get much better than that.