Last Updated on August 23, 2020 by Capt. Louie
Hello Everyone,
I hope that you all are looking forward to the beautiful weather that fall brings us as we come into the end of September. The only thing better than beautiful weather is beautiful weather and great fishing. Thankfully for us this is one of my favorite times of year to fish because there is so much action to be had. The trout fishing is starting to heat up as they move in from offshore. Since we’ve had a hot and rainy summer these trout are expected to move inshore in great numbers this fall and if the fishing today was any foreshadowing for our fall season, we are definitely in for a treat. Just the past week has been showing a great rise in our trout numbers which is getting myself and everyone else in Crystal River very excited. The speckled trout is a fun fish to catch and is even better on the table making it a great target for every trip. Most of our trout fishing involves the use of artificials while drifting some of the many grass flats in our area. The trick is to know just where to be and what time of the tide to be there, but that’s why you come with me, so all you have to worry about is not missing that bite.
Although the Speckled Trout are starting to make an appearance we can’t forget about the trusty Redfish. This hard fighting fish are extremely fired up as this water temperature makes its decline and it has been showing with every passing day. When the tide is right we have been catching more BIG REDFISH than my people can handle. Schools of fish ranging from 20 – 200 are not uncommon in the coming months and we have seen the start of that in the past week. Targeting the mullet schools on the last of the incoming tides has shown some of the best results using live pinfish and life shrimp.
With this fall weather coming the massive schools of Spanish Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, and bonitas are going to be coming closer and closer to shore. Being in the middle of a feeding frenzy where fish are skying out of the water on all sides of the boat is an experience in itself, but hooking into these drag peeling fighters is just icing on the cake. It is not uncommon to find schools of these feeding frenzies going on and everyone have the line ripped off their reel at the same time. The great part about these frenzies is that with them come the big sharks which are always a fan favorite. Fighting a big shark on heavier spinning tackle is some of the most fun you can have in shallow water.
I cannot wait to hear from you all as the season goes on. I encourage you to send me pictures of what your catching back at home and hopefully you can tell me all about it on your next trip here in Crystal River.
