Fall fishing

Fall is in the air. Feel it? Cooler temperatures, first at night then the days begin to cool down too. With those cooling temperatures come some rain and thunderstorms. But generally the weather is mild barring a major storm.

Avid anglers around coastal fish year round but for many targeted species fall offers the best fishing of the year. From about mid-September as the days get shorter until mid-December, the catching really picks up.

As the water temperatures begin to fall up north, the fish migrate south to warmer waters. Species like Spanish mackerel, Atlantic Pompano, blues, spots and others make a visit here on their way south. Some of these species have been here all summer but really show up in big numbers this time of year.

Some of the other species, especially bottom fish, make a move into shallower water from the deeper waters offshore. They will stay nearer to shore until the water temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Then they will move back out to deeper water. King mackerel is also a species that will come in close to shore in the fall. They usually stay until the water drops below 66-68 degrees.

Other species seem to get bigger appetites and thus more active. Species like speckled trout and drum which are both main stays in the repertoire of fall anglers. Big doormat sized flounder can also be found. A few fish from each of these species will be here all winter long but fall is the time when they are the thickest and most active.

The cooler temperatures are also a lot easier on the angler. While there is still plenty of sunshine to enjoy it’s not as hot and muggy. In fact the crispness of the morning air is a welcome feeling to most of us about this time of year. Even without the great fishing, there is something special about being out on the water in the fall, it is refreshing!

Catching report

Inshore activity is really picking up. The spots are being caught on the piers “two at a time” and should be moving into the waterway in the next week or so, probably after this full moon. The pompano are chewing on fresh shrimp and sand fleas when you can find them. Some nice one to two pounders are being caught in the surf and on the pier.

Speckled trout are still in the surf and can be found near the marsh grass and in creeks and ditches near the inlets. They are biting well on live shrimp but gulp! Artificial bait and a variety of lures are working well. Drum are still biting in the waterway with the falling tide seeming to be the most productive.

The Spanish mackerel bite has been very hot near the inlets and beaches with the best bite in the early morning and late afternoon. Clark spoons and diamond jigs are working well. Get them now as they will be moving south soon. Plenty of blue fish are also being caught.