Man is it ever going to cool down? That is the question many are asking. With temperatures reminding us of summer rather than that of fall it makes us tend to want to fish the summer time patterns. That could be good but let’s ask the question what makes things do what they do? Is it temperature, is it the moon, is it the tides and the answer is yes. All of these factors play a part in making not only fish but animals and man behave a certain way. I think especially in the fall the thing that makes “stuff” happen is the shorting of daylight. I know with me during the summer I’ll slim down some but sure as God made little green apples come October I start to “bulk up”. That being said our water temps are in the 80’s still and it is hot. Now remember the days are getting shorter so therefore our fall redfish are here. Not only are the redfish here but the King Mackerel are here, grouper are moving in closer. So when you go out fishing you may start on the summer patterns but be willing to mix it up a little as the fish do have tails and know how to use them locating in different spots from day to day.
I spoke with Captain Shaun Crawford of Bradenton and he is killing the King’s right off the beach anchoring up and chumming for them on hard bottom. I have also had quite a few reports of large gag grouper coming in from the forty foot deep water in the gulf. I personally have not been out into the gulf this week because the grouper bite inshore is going off as well. Weather your grouper fishing in the bay or in the gulf have a rod with a flat line at the ready as large cobia are about as well and in the gulf there are still schools of Mahi Mahi around.
