Thank goodness the calendar has flipped. Even though temperatures will still be summer-like, daylight hours are decreasing by a few minutes every day. That’s a cue for coastal fish that autumn is here and it’s time to bulk up..
The near daily thunderstorms have pumped a lot of freshwater into the rivers and tidal creeks. As a result, water clarity ranges from good to downright muddy in places. If you can find clean, clear water stick with that until it plays out. If murky water is the only option add scent, noise, different colors or a combination until you find something that works. Gold and root beer are often effective in these situations since the natural baits are darker-tinted. But if the fish can’t find your lures, you can’t catch them. So be prepared to mix it up with glow, pearl or chartreuse. Adding a squirt of Pro-Cure bait gels will increase the scent factor, while popping or clacker corks help the fish to hone into your offering by the noise.
The next few weeks will see the return of seasonal game fish as they slowly make their way south. Spanish mackerel, pompano, bluefish, cobia and tarpon are definite targets and add to the normal bread-and-butter species of trout and redfish for Forgotten Coast anglers. Flounder will also be staging in the shallows before easing offshore once the water temperatures dip significantly.
There is just one month left in the statewide CCA STAR Tournament, which runs through October 4. No registered anglers have caught a tagged redfish, so five boat/outboard/trailer packages are still up for grabs. There’s also plenty of other prizes to fish for, including college scholarships for the junior anglers. But you have to be registered to win. To learn more or to sign up, visit: www.ccaflstar.com
The weather looks good for the upcoming long Labor Day weekend. Temperatures will be on the toasty side, but lots of sunshine will be a welcome change. Winds are expected to be light out of the north to east. Protected waters should be smooth to a light chop, again another welcome feature.
The first high tides will crest before daylight, but those first few hours after sunrise should be productive before the lows bottom out mid- to late mornings. A strong push of incoming water—nearly three feet—will crest in the late afternoons. Per the solunar predictions, a high activity feeding period will occur two hours after the afternoon highs. An average window will sandwich the hour on the morning lows.
Be safe out there and please practice common courtesy at the ramps and on the water. Labor Day weekend is historically the last big boating hurrah of the season, so expect increased traffic and be patient.
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.