October has been a excellent month for fishing. Every fish on the flats knows with the cooler water temperatures that it’s time to fatten up for the lean winter months ahead. Take advantage of these over cast days to catch sea trout, redfish and snook on top water plugs all day long.
Yesterday, my client, Bob Comey, from Iowa, caught his first snook. The fish was so aggressive toward the Skitterwalk that he came totally out of the water four feet from the boat. My client reared back in disbelief . I quickly directed him to pull low and in the opposite direction that the fish was running. The fish was 32 inches and was 9 pounds. He also landed 5 trout between 15 to 20 inches and a 18 inch red to complete his flat’s slam.
We were fishing the backwaters of Chassahowitzka, picking our way around the oyster bars and grass islands. If you ever have a chance to see or fish this part of the Nature Coast it is truly old Florida at it’s best. Porpoise crashing schools of mullet , snook popping baitfish and ospreys catching dinner is a scene that is that has been replaying many centuries. For the fisherman there are several species to be caught besides snook ,sea trout and redfish. Mangrove snapper, black drum, and flounder, can be found around the countless creek mouths, oyster bars and passes that make up this area of the Nature Coast. The latter fish can be caught on Berkely Gulps and fresh cut bait such as mullet or ladyfish.
Get out and enjoy this wonderful fall weather. Give me a call.
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Captain Larry Roderick
(352) 835-3785