With the days of summer gently comming to an end, the scorching heat of mid day will be plesently replaced by some onshore breezes and mild fronts on a regular basis. We are all are looking foward to some cooler days and the end of hurricane season once again. Although we did'nt get the terrestial downpours that flooded the rivers and wetlands, somehow the lazy pace of the gulfstream is allowing the water to raise to such high levels you would think it had been raining for weeks on end. The fall mullet run is in full force and there is no shortage of preadetors in close proximity of the food supply. Just about any species that can be caught in our area is available on any given day this time of the year. Subtle ripples on glass calm waters indicating life beneath the surface often erupts into explosions of a feeding frenzy. If massive wakes from schools of fish pushing across the flats while devioring everything in their paths isn't enough to get your adrenilin going, then the sound of bait being blasted against the banks of the shoreline will surely get your attention.

Redfish are roaming the flats in the early am and ambushing the mullet pods on most of the points in both the river and lagoon. Many of these fish are in the mid to upper slot size with a few overslot fish mixed in. When conditions allow topwater lures are producing some good catches and when the grass is thick, soft plastics are getting the job done. Colors that have been the most effective have been watermellon/red fleck and New Penny. The larger breeder fish are also plentiful in several areas of the lagoons and when they are not pressured are also taking topwater plugs worked near the schools. Fly anglers are having good results with shrimp patterns in dark brown and worked slowly along the patchy bottom areas. Small crabs are like caviar as they are few and far in between in both lagoons. You wold have a better chance in seeing a shark than a blue crab lately. Staging on ambush points and allowing the fish to come to the angler has been very productive as well as allowing the opportunity to see the fish approach you to get the best shot.

Black Drum are almost as dependable as our popular redfish and the numbers this year are by far exceptional. These fish are also getting in on the action and feeding behind the massive schools of larger mullet that are passing through. The mullet are leaving areas disturbed and the smaller cruestations along with worms are like plankton is to whales. Many of the schools of black drum are in the 6 to 12 lb class and some have as many as several hundred fish in them. When not pressured, these fish will eagerly take soft plastic shrimp imitations in natural colors as well as live shrimp. The real key to getting them to eat is to keep your lure or bait just over the top of the grass. If it falls down in the grass chances are it will be overlooked. Considering most of the water these fish are in is less than 4 feet there is really no need for any weight as it only puts you in the grass faster. Fly anglers are consistantly catching these fish on one of my patterns designed to mimic the worms in the grass. Even the picky eaters have a hard time refusing this pattern and since has given me no need to try anything different. Average days are yielding limits of fish and some great action on light tackle and fly.

Tarpon are also here in good numbers and various sizes as well. Many of the flats near creek mouths are holding smaller fish that don't wander very far from the fresh water intrusion. Most of these fish are in the 2 to 20 lb class and are feeding on smaller mullet, pogies and glass minnows. Small topwater lures like chug bugs and super spook jr's are a great choice if you like the explosion of a topwater strike and small 4 inch jerk baits in white also mimic the fleeing baitfish. Soft plastic shrimp in natural to dark colors rigged weedless are working well when the grass is a bit of a problem. Fly anglers are having good results with smaller baitfish patterns in white in clear water and olive in the more stained waters. If larger fish are your target, they are here as well with most of the fish in the 40 to 70 lb class with the occasional 100 lber passing through. Most of these fish are in or very near the ICW in bends of the river and close to bridge spans. The prime time to target these fish is very early in the morning as after a little boat traffic they tend to move away from the area. Large surface poppers and lipped crank baits in baitfish patterns are taking the more aggressive fish while a live 10 to 12 inch mullet suspended about 2 feet under a cork will put your offering in the zone. Fly anglers are having the best success with an intermediate line and large profile baitfish patterns.

Seatrout also have been feeding on the smaller finger mullet pods and working topwater lures around these pods can produce some awsome strikes. Many of the fish have been in the 2 to 6 lb class with a few over 8lbs landed this past month. Larger topwater plugs like the super spook in the "bone" color have been productive. Fishing over grass beds in 3 to 5 feet of water as the day warms has allowed the bite to continue well up until noon. Live pigfish are the live bait of choice this time of year and will produce good results of keeper fish to go in the box. Soft plastics in shad color worked just over the grass and in the bait pods are working well too. Fly anglers are using surface poppers to get in on the action when the fish are feeding well on top, small olive streamers are working when the fish have been deeper.

As always feel free to give us a call or an e mail if we can help make your outing more productive or enjoyable. By engauging in nature and spending many days on the water, my hope is to find enrichment in many diferent ways along with making sure you have the best possible opportunity to enjoy your time on the water!

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