With luck the hurricanes are behind us and we can look forward to great fish catching, around “Rays” play-off baseball and exciting football. We are already enjoying mild fronts as far south as my home port of Boca Grande. The water temps are cooler already, down to about 82. Our inshore big three: Snook, Redfish, and Trout are available and hungry. Migratory Mackerels and Sharks, etc… have already cruised in and many more to come. With the abundant baitfish in the area, fish should go crazy for at least the next month, and maybe until Thanksgiving and cold weather. We are already catching a few Pompano also; what are you waiting for? Snook have been plentiful but full of those millions of minnows swimming everywhere. As bait minnows begin move around Snook will return to our fishing baits and help the catching.

Some fish, mostly small dinks, are still outside, but many are already in the creeks too. Don’t be staying too long in any area that does not produce action. You will rarely find fish in the same place two days in a row now. Most fish are greedy, so move around as required if you don’t get strikes. Lures will be productive early and as minnows move on. The slot is tight but we do have plenty of fish, so your odds are good to land dinner now. Redfish are bunching up and can offer red hot bites. Several other captains reported bites that wore their anglers out. These trips are not always predictable; but dependable action is a real probability. We frequently catch all three inshore slam fish on one spot in the fall. And Tarpon are not uncommon; we saw three today. You usually get one species, then the other, but they mix if things are just right. Do not over chum and spoil your action. Many anglers over feed their fish and ruin the bite. The birds can take over and mess up your bite too. If you are quiet and keep a fish on most of the time you do not need much chum.

Trout closes next month so get out now if you want to eat 'em. Trout action is improving every month. Plenty of food and clean water is helping them rebound from past problems. We have found them scattered, but some hot bites here too. We take a few bigger fish and move if they are too small. As Trout are cannibalistic we don’t find large Specks around the tiny fish. Popping or rattle corks are perfect for Trout and Redfish action. The noise attracts feeding fish. Concentrate on deeper grass edges and drains from large flats on falling tides. Outside the “Big Mack Attack” has begun and will be “on” until cold windy fronts run them south. With huge schools of baitfish I predict the best Mackerel fishing in decades this year. We have already caught Kings to 22 pounds and plenty of schoolies around.

The Mackerel are thick and little Tunny so plentiful they are a nuisance. Since they still have schools of both Macks as far north as Destin, we should have them into December down here off Boca. Everything depends upon the water temps and windy fronts. Tampa Bay areas should enjoy peak action this month. We have liberal bag limits and plenty of fish. Share with friends and family; you can even take them fishing with you. Try trolling spoons or use live minnows if you’re set up for them. Utilize your local baitshop for up-to-date info.

Let’s go fishin’ soon. Capt. Van Hubbard Past President of Florida Guides Association and Winner of 1999 Mote Marine Award info@captvan.com