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September 2010 In September on the Nature Coast there are some subtle changes to let you feel that fall is on it's way. The water is not as crowded because school has begun and most families have already taken their vacations except for the one last "hoo-rah" on Labor Day. The days are slightly shorter and the water slightly cooler. This is the best month for redfish because of the size of the schools are very large to say the least. Most of the fish are in the slot (18"-27") but a few bruisiers over 30" are thrown in the mix. Outside points from the Spoil Banks north of Crystal River to Sheephead Key south of Chassahowitzka and everywhere in between you will find fish on the incoming high tide. The best method is a silent approach. I prefer to pole my boat along a given shore line or from the offshore side of a point on a key. As I approach the area intended to fish I like to "read" the water, meaning to look for surface disturbance or flashes under the water. This is very important because redfish are not always right next to the shore line. If you do not spot the fish and they are laying away from the intended area and the boat spooks them then that's a lot of work for nothing. If you spot the fish and anchor off just within casting distance so as not to disturb the school the fishing can be glorious. Some things to look for are flashes of silver or white mouths just under the surface. Redfish will roll near the bottom and create a "flash" when their scales catch the sun's rays and what catches the eye first in a large school of reds are their big white mouths flexing to pump water over their gills. On the surface look for a "push". When a school of red move they create a wake on the surface that even a novice can see. Once on one of my charters we were fishing a school of reds and after my clients caught a few fish out of it the school moved and we couldn't find them. We were in open water that was about 2' deep so I took my push pole and smacked the water. About 80 yards away the fish moved and gave up their location so I poled up quietly to them again and we kept catching them. I recommend only doing this if there are no other anglers in the area. For some crazy top water action try throwing a MirrOlure Top Dog into a school. The sight of a dozen reds racing to eat your plug will get your heart racing. Most any color soft plastic on a jig head will catch these fish. My favorite colors are those that resemble shrimp like rootbeer and newpenny and of course live shrimp or pinfish always will get the bite. Seatrout will begin to move inshore this month. The best spots will be near kelp beds or in 5' to 7' grass flats. Kelp has been growing all summer and it is usually found on some type of hard bottom. Trout hide and ambush prey in these kelp beds. D.O.A.'s Deadly Combo will work up a limit of trout in no time when fished near and around these areas. This rig works in two ways. The cigar shape float will make a surface disturbance that gets a trout's attention and when the fish draws near to check it out the artificial shrimp underneath will get the strike. It's simple to use just tie it on, cast it out and retrieve with a pop and stop motion. Night glow and rootbeer are two great colors to catch trout but other fish like reds, snook, jacks, mackeral, pompano and about any other fish that swims in the near shore waters I have caught on this rig. So if you would like to fish the Homosassa area and see what it's all about just give me a call 'cause I CAN HOOK YOU UP!
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