Fall fishing season is bursting into our area this week with our first cold front. The cold front will start the fall migration of kingfish, blackfin tuna, Spanish mackerel and cobia along our coast. Water temperature is the key, and as the gulf drops into the high 70s, the migrations will occur.
The best news is the Red Tide has diminished.
Bait schools are showing up offshore, and gag grouper are starting to move nearer to shore. For best grouper results, you still need to fish in 70 to 90 feet. Expect large ledges to hold fish. Look for bait schools on your fish-finder over hard-bottom areas and concentrate on any that hold bait.
Between hurricanes, Red Tide and windy weather systems it has been a challenge for any of us to get offshore. Trust your proven grouper numbers and you should be successful. Very little pressure has been placed on the fish stock from recreational fishermen. Start your day using dead bait and move to live bait for bigger fish. When you locate fish it will be a great spot.
Larry "Huffy" Hoffman charters out of John's Pass, Treasure Island. Call 727 709-9396 or e-mail him at huffyl@tampabay.rr.com
