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VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 379 OCT 2026 F R A N C H I S E
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The Magic Starts in October
T
his is the time of year I live for, especially for o!shore bottom fishing of numerous species. This year is going to be di!erent, however, thanks to regulations that have completely shut down our gag grouper fishing. October, November, December, and the first three weeks of January are the absolute apex of gag grouper fishing. In my opinion, flawed science and highly extrapolated data are the reasons we are now facing a zero creel limit for gag grouper for the rest of the year. The situation with the Atlantic’s American red snapper is just as bad. Divers report having to wait for the Americans to get out of the way before they can shoot other target fish, and hook-andline fishing is o! the chart. It’s common to catch and release 20 red snapper per trip, yet we are legally forbidden from keeping a single one, at least for the moment. Where did they get the data to justify shutting down and keeping the American red snapper fishery closed? I would love to take these decision makers out on the water, or show them the underwater video footage captured by my diving friends, because it completely contradicts
2 NATIONAL
OCTOBER 2026
TIM BAREFOOT
the flawed data they are using to make decisions. Despite the regulatory headaches, the beauty of October through January is the gags and snapper will be literally right up on the beach. Last year, some of our best trips were within eyesight of the beach and we caught a serious number of fish. The larger male gags are starting to congregate on the inshore edges now in anticipation of the females coming soon. They will gather enlarged numbers on traditional spawning grounds that typically have good bottom and schools of bait, like cigars and sardines, and the little known fact of it is the same places will hold squid. I always say, “Find the bait … find the fish!” Yes, it’s important to find pretty bottom with some type of structure. If nothing else, look for live bottom and vegetation, but the ultimate scenario is finding big stacks of bait right on top of it. Let’s face it. That’s where your fish are going to be. You wouldn’t hang around in a place with nothing to eat, and neither will they.
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It’s a simple recipe this time of year to catch everything on the bottom. I always make sure to grab two boxes of frozen cigar minnows and whatever live bait we happen to have in the traps at the marina. But one of the best things you could possibly do is put one person on the Sabiki when you get to where you’re going. In addition to the frozen cigars, catch some live snappers or live cigar minnows and/or sardines. A live sardine on the bottom has a life expectancy under five seconds. It’s easily one of the most e!ective baits, especially when attached to a Crab Decoy Jig. The beauty of the shallow water gag and American red snapper fishing in the fall is that almost none of the fish are injured with bladder inflation. You can release them at the side of the boat and they will take o! immediately back to the bottom healthy and unharmed. The biggest problem we have now is the sharks are on to us. Wherever we stop, they hear the trolling motor and the fish struggling, so they come to it. Chances are pretty good you’re going to get a gag bit in half. When that happens, you need to move right away, otherwise you’re just feeding the sharks. They start gathering in numbers - we’ve seen as many as six or eight full grown sharks under the boat at one time. Here’s your sign…it’s time to move. Above all, take your kids out on the water, let them experience these amazing resources, and teach them to be good stewards for the future. To learn more tips and techniques from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com.
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AUTUMN IN APPALACHIAN BROOK TROUT COUNTRY
By Devin Davenport
W
hen people think of autumn in the Smoky Mountains, they think of crisp,cool mornings, bluebird skies, and the leaves changing into striking yellow, orange and red hues as they begin to fall. What many don’t realize, is that a spectacle just as remarkable is taking place under the surface as well. Southern Appalachian brook trout in autumn put on a show as they prepare for their coming spawn, which usually occurs in mid to late October. As the season approaches, larger brook trout begin to boast the most vibrant colors that they will have all year. Their fins and bellies turn bright orange. Fish also produce more pronounced red dots, blue halos—and aggressive attitudes. This is all in an attempt to attract a suitable mate. It is the best time of the year to catch one of the prettiest fish in North America. Brook trout are the only salmonid species native to the Southern Appalachian region, and a fish that has lost 70% or more of its historical native range. This is primarily due to logging in the 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as the introduction of non-native fish such as rainbow and brown trout. While they are not typically picky eaters, they can be di%cult to find, as they inhabit only the coldest, cleanest, and highest-elevation creeks in Appalachia. Over 99% of native Appalachian brook trout never reach 8 inches in length, so finding a truly large Appalachian brook trout is a real feat for most fly anglers in the Southeast. There are also some areas with stocked brook trout in the southeast, and even these fish in the fall can boast some very impressive colors, and o&en are greater in size. Appalachian brook trout are most o&en found in tributaries that exceed 3,000 feet in elevation. They inhabit creeks so thick with rhododendron that casting room is o&en very limited. They exist below this, but the best place to find them is above 3K as high water temperatures in the late summer months can play a huge role in their existence. In most areas brook trout are found, food sources can be scarce. Bug life is limited the higher
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OCTOBER 2026
up you go, and the fish are opportunistic when a fly or lure is presented in a natural manner. The purest way to target a brook trout is with a dry fly, such as an Elk Hair Caddis or Parachute Adams. These flies have withstood the test of time and are a staple when it comes to rising brook trout. It’s a beautiful sight seeing a large, orange brook trout rise from the depths to crush a fly on the surface. Flies such as pheasant tails and prince nymphs are also very productive. One of the best ways to target larger brook trout is with a small streamer or spinner, as they will attack smaller fish that come within range. They are a remarkable fish and we are lucky they still have some strongholds in the Appalachians. Devin Davenport, (@appalachian.trout on Instagram) grew up fly fishing in the Southern Appalachian mountains. He primarily fishes for wild trout, smallmouth bass, musky, and other fish found in western North Carolina and East Tennessee. While he lived in South Florida for several years and loves saltwater fishing, he now resides back in the mountains of East Tennessee.
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PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES
Specks of the Smokies
O
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
GAME PLAN
PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®
AN OCTOBER
ctober is one of my favorite months to !sh the coast. Cooler weather makes a day on the water more comfortable, boat traffic begins to thin out, and the bays and marshes come alive. Trout, red!sh, and flounder are feeding on shrimp and !n!sh, and it is not uncommon to !nd all three in the same area. My October game plan starts before I launch the boat. Satellite imagery is a great tool for locating shallow coves connected to drains, bayous, or small cuts. I look for areas with shell, grass, subtle depth changes, and a drain that is still open rather than sanded in. Once I arrive, I slow down and look for bait. A promising shoreline without bait usually does not hold my attention for long. Outgoing tides are my !rst choice because moving water concentrates bait and !sh. Mouths of drains are obvious places to start, but do not overlook bends, narrow sections of a bayou, points extending into a bay, or cuts through a reef. Anything that increases current or funnels bait can create a feeding area. I will occasionally start with a topwater, but most of the time I have a durable paddle tail tied on. A smaller paddle tail helps match the young bait common in the marsh, while a 4-inch version is a dependable choice on open flats. I rig it weedless around grass and other cover or use a jig head in cleaner or deeper water. A paddle tail lets me cover water quickly, and its vibration helps !sh locate it. Add a built-in rattle and the lure gives !sh another reason to investigate. Before changing colors or lures, I change my retrieve. Red!sh often respond to a steady retrieve. Trout may prefer an erratic twitch-twitch action. For flounder, I keep the lure close to the bottom with the rod tip down or to the side and use !rm twitches that make the lure dart forward without jumping too high. Around a drain, I concentrate casts along the edges, bends, and small washouts where flounder can wait in ambush. Fish do not read !shing articles, so none of these rules are absolute. Let the bait, current, structure, and strikes tell you what to do next. Enjoy the cooler weather, try a different approach when the bite slows, and take a kid !shing. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor and owner of Knockin Tail Lures® — knockintaillures.com.
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OCTOBER 2026
FLORIDA 1
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By A. deGruchy ctober is a great month to chase black!n tuna in the Florida Keys. The weather starts to change a little, the bait gets moving, and the offshore bite can get really good. Black!n are one of those !sh that can turn a slow morning into chaos pretty quickly. Once you !nd them, it is usually fast action, hard runs, and a lot going on at once. Around the Keys, we usually start looking around deeper wrecks, offshore structure, current edges, and anywhere bait is getting pushed around. There are plenty of deeper wrecks and arti!cial reefs scattered off Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon and the Lower Keys that can hold black!n. You do not always have to be right on top of the wreck either. A lot of times the !sh will be moving around the area, especially if there is good current and bait nearby. Birds are always worth watching too. If you see birds dipping, bait getting pushed up, bonito going crazy or flying !sh getting chased, there is a good chance something is feeding underneath them. Trolling is one of the easiest ways to cover water and !nd !sh. Small feathers, skirts, diving plugs, and other smaller tuna-style baits all work well. Black!n are fast !sh, so you can keep the boat moving and still get plenty of bites. We like to spread the baits out behind the boat and work around an area instead of just trolling in a straight line all day. Once you get a bite, circle back through that same area because where there is one black!n, there are usually more. If birds are working, try not to run straight through the middle of them. Work the edge, keep the baits in 4 FLORIDA
OCTOBER 2026
clean water, and let the !sh come to you. Vertical jigging is probably one of the most fun ways to catch black!n. If the !sh are holding deeper around a wreck, drop a jig down and work it back up fast. Sometimes they will eat it deep, and other times they will follow it halfway back to the boat before crushing it. Savage Gear jigs are a great choice for this style of !shing because they drop fast, have a good pro!le, and are easy to work through the water column. Current plays a big role in what size jig we use. If it is ripping, go heavier. If the current is lighter, you can !sh something smaller and get a little more action out of the jig. The biggest thing is keeping it moving because black!n usually want something fast. For this kind of !shing, we like a PENN Authority spinning reel matched with a Carnage III rod. It is a solid setup for jigging, casting, or throwing a bait at !sh that suddenly pop up on the surface. The Authority has plenty of drag for a hard-running tuna, and the Carnage III has enough backbone to put real pressure on the !sh. That matters a lot in the Keys because getting the tuna to the boat is only half the battle. The sharks have been bad, especially around some of the deeper wrecks. You can hook a perfectly good black!n, !ght it halfway up, and then suddenly everything changes. Sometimes you get the head, sometimes you get half a tuna, and sometimes you get absolutely nothing back. It is frustrating, but it is part of !shing these areas right now. The best thing you can do is put pressure on the !sh and get it to the boat as quickly as possible. This is not really the time to play a tuna
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for 20 minutes if you can help it. Once the sharks !gure out what is going on, they can make !shing the same spot pretty tough, so if you start losing multiple !sh, sometimes the best move is to leave the area and !nd another school instead of feeding the sharks all afternoon. Having a heavier setup like the PENN Authority and Carnage III really helps because you can pull harder and shorten the !ght. One of the best parts about !shing black!n in October is that you do not have to stick with one method. Start trolling and cover some water. If you !nd !sh around a wreck, drop Savage Gear jigs. If they suddenly start blowing up on bait, grab a spinning rod and start casting. Things can change quickly, so having a few rods rigged and ready makes a big difference. October can be a really fun month offshore in the Florida Keys. The black!n are fast, they !ght hard, and when you get into a good school, the action can be nonstop. Just make sure you get them to the boat before the sharks do. Follow all of deGruchy’s adventures at @bean_sportfishing on Instagram and YouTube.
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Chasing the Fall Feed T he days may still be hot now, but the nights will begin to cool as fall moves closer. Water temperatures that have been in the 80’s and 90’s slowly drop, and bass start changing their behavior. This seasonal transition can create some of the best opportunities of the year to catch a true monster. During the summer months, many of the biggest bass spend a lot of their time around deeper structure, offshore cover and areas where they can !nd cooler, more comfortable water. As we move toward fall, bait!sh become the key. Shad begin moving, and bass know that an easy meal is available. When I see that transition starting, I want a bait that can imitate those shad and give me the ability to cover water. That’s one reason I developed the Bloom Shad with Bait Cave Customs. Making its debut at ICAST 2026, the Bloom Shad is designed to imitate a natural shad pro!le while giving me plenty of versatility. I can !sh it around grass, brush, docks and other cover, or work it through areas where bass are actively feeding on bait!sh. When the bass are roaming, I want something I can cast, retrieve and cover water with while still having the ability to slow it down when I !nd a productive area. It has quickly become one of my favorite soft plastics to utilize when I’m looking for quality !sh. One of the biggest keys during this transition is paying attention to the bait. If I !nd shad around
By Bait Cave Customs Pro Joey Bloom
points, creek channels, grass lines or the mouths of pockets, I know there’s a good chance bass won’t be far away. I also pay close attention to changing water conditions. Fall rains can raise lake levels, push fresh water into the system and move bait!sh into newly flooded cover. When that happens, some of the biggest bass in the lake will take advantage of the opportunity to feed up. I like to start shallow when conditions tell me the bait is there, but I’m always prepared to move deeper if the bass haven’t followed the bait!sh yet. The transition isn’t always predictable, and sometimes the best !sh can be caught by checking
several different depths until you !gure out where the bass are positioned. For me, the biggest lesson is to follow the food. Bass don’t have a calendar telling them it’s fall— they respond to water temperature, weather and, most importantly, the movement of their prey. When those !rst signs of fall begin showing up, I’ll have a Bloom Shad tied on and I’m going to be looking for that one area where the bait and the big bass come together. That’s when the summerto-fall transition can turn into some of the most exciting !shing of the entire year. Follow Joey Bloom on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing. The Bloom Shad will soon be available at batcavecustoms.com.
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FLORIDA 7
The Fall Kingfish Migration is Coming! A s summer fades and cooler water begins pushing south along the East Coast, one of the most exciting migrations of the year is about to get underway. King mackerel are on the move, and October can be prime time for chasing them. Known as king!sh or “smokers” to anglers, king mackerel are built for speed. They are powerful predators that spend much of their time chasing bait!sh along the coast, and their seasonal movements are closely tied to water temperature and food availability. NOAA Fisheries says kings prefer water warmer than about 68 degrees and migrate north during the summer before heading south for the winter. For East Coast anglers, that southbound migration is what makes fall so special. North Carolina’s Division of Marine Fisheries notes that king mackerel move inshore along beaches and near the mouths of inlets and rivers during the summer and fall. The !sh follow concentrations of bait such as menhaden, mullet, thread!n herring and sardines, and feeding kings can sometimes be spotted skyrocketing through schools of bait on the surface. That makes October a great month to start watching the water. From North Carolina and South Carolina
By CAM Staff
through Georgia and Florida, king!sh can show up anywhere from nearshore structure and arti!cial reefs to the edges of bait schools farther offshore. A moving body of bait is often a better clue than simply !shing a particular piece of bottom structure. Trolling remains one of the most popular ways to target them. Live bait such as menhaden, cigar minnows and other locally available bait!sh can be deadly, while dead ribbon!sh and arti!cial lures also have their place in the fall king!sh arsenal. And when a big king decides to eat, things can get exciting in a hurry. The fall migration also brings tournament anglers out in force. King mackerel support a substantial recreational !shery and are a favorite target in tournaments throughout the Southeast. For anglers planning October trips, the key is to follow the bait and watch the water temperature. Kings migrate south as conditions change, so the !sh that are showing up off one area early in the month may be considerably farther south later in the season. The good news is that the migration stretches along a huge portion of the Atlantic coast. And somewhere between the beaches of the Carolinas and the waters of Florida, the next big smoker is already on the move.
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But beyond the green you see on top of the water, there’s a whole other world underneath. Winding roots, deep pockets, creeks, shallow flats, oyster bars, cuts, and channels all work together to create one of Southwest Florida’s most productive fishing habitats. The tangled root systems of mangroves provide protection for bait and small fish, while overhanging branches and submerged roots give larger predators places to hide and amBy: Caitlyn Gatrell bush prey. And in the mangroves, the tide is everything. As the tide rises, water pushes onto shallow flats and farther into mangrove roots, bringing bait with it. This brings fish further into and around the systems. And as the tide falls, that same water and some creatures in it find its way back out. Creek mouths, cuts, and points become popular spots as bait is swept into deeper water and the current flows strong. Big Snook and Tarpon can be found hanging out in these areas in the 10K Islands. Oyster bars are another piece of the puzzle. Scattered throughout the back waters, they provide hard structure to an abundance of smaller organisms that become food for larger species, especially Redfish. Cuddled up by the mangroves, they are best fished on high tide when fish can come up on top of them. Key things to look for include overhanging branches, a lot of vegetation, thick submerged logs, bait schools, and movement like ripples and wakes. The cool thing with the mangroves is if it’s shallow and clear enough you can often sight fish here too. The beauty of fishing the Ten Thousand Islands is that there is always another mangrove line waiting around the corner. Once you begin looking at them as an interconnected ecosystem, you really can start to see potential fishing spots everywhere you look. Sometimes there may be no fish for a long stretch. But other times, there may be a hidden honey hole that produces great action. I’ve found quite a few of those myself! Follow the current, pay attention to the tide transitions, and look for n the Ten Thousand Islands of Southwest Florida, there’s a unique en- where different habitats come together in the 10K Islands, especially learnvironment that holds home to thousands of creatures. For miles you’ll ing to read the mangroves and taking in the scenery can be just as rewardcome across a large stretch of green scenery, filled with mangrove islands ing as the fish waiting within it. that create an endless maze of beautiful views and fishing opportunities.
THE 10K ISLANDS
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FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | OCTOBER 2026 | NAPLES 1
October’s Opportunities By: Capt. Roanz
I
am personally not sure there is a better month to fish Southwest Florida. From freshwater to saltwater, you just cannot go wrong as snook, redfish, and tarpon abound up and down our coastline. Baitfish are plentiful near our passes and inshore bays. Tarpon are starting their southern migration. Redfish are hoarding up in our passes and in the bays near the outside passes. Snook are everywhere from the beaches to the backs of creeks. Just about every different lure type works from top to bottom. Some of my favorites are The Macro Minnow the Proshad Jig Head with a Wyze Guyz Underboss soft Plastic. Or just a buck and bunny bucktail from Reel Nautical. In Fresh water, the Largemouth will be perking up coming out of the summer doldrums and the peacocks and cichlids will be ravenous to put on some weight before the water cool off over the winter. Lake fishing will be on fire, and the canal fishing should start to
2 NAPLES | OCTOBER 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM
really pick up especially if the water starts to recede from the marshes into the canals in the Glades. Largemouth and peacock bass will be feeding heavily especially if you can locate some marsh runs dumping water into the main canals. Favorite baits for all of this would be the Reel Nautical Micro or Macro Minnows. If you are looking for an extra big fish, try the Mega minnow especially in Gold Member color. October is when the Stone Crab traps go out so run those lines and look for them beautiful and delicious tripletail. They love our Reel Nautical 1/8 oz. foxy lady jig, or our new crab jig crushed it. Rich and Roan would like to invite you to check them out at one of the local Bait and Tackle stores like Mikes Bait House, Marco Island Bait and Tackle, Estero River Outfitters, Kraken Tackle of Ft Myers, and The Bait Shop of Lake Placid. or check them out online at www.reelnautical.net or drop us an email: reelnautical239@gmail.com
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FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | OCTOBER 2026 | NAPLES 3
RELEARNING AN OLD LESSON, THE HARD WAY By: Capt. Tim Ramsey
I
hate relearning things I already know. I never seem to relearn things I like, just things I don’t. This is one of those. The other day, I decided to go fishing by myself. I didn’t really want to, but I did it anyway. “But Tim, not wanting to go fishing is crazy” I hear you say. I know, especially for someone as addicted to fishing as me, but I’ve never liked fishing alone. To me, fishing is a group activity. Hear me out. First thing I noticed was I was standing alone next to the truck in the dark, about three hours earlier than we usually go. My wife was in Panama. My son was up in St. Petersburg. My friends had to work, and my brother is another story. “Suck it up, Tim, there are snook to be caught,” I said. “You could be back in Afghanistan,” I added. This gave me an opportunity to evaluate what I take fishing. Oddly, I found I didn’t pack any lighter. Five rods, the green bag, the blue bag, my blue tackle box, my tackle backpack, the cooler. I still brought them. All I did was take only one good luck beer and cut the amount of food and mandatory Slim Jims in half. Then I pulled the boat to the ramp. Launching by yourself is always fun. First check, the plug. I screwed it in, then banged my head on the emergency ladder on the way out. Typical. All straps off except the bow, Steering blips and tilt bar removed, strap off the power pole, unplug the trailer, ready to go. I decided losing the boat while unassisted at the ramp is a bad thing, so I clipped a line from the bow roller on the trailer to the boat’s bow eye, backed down until the engine was in the water, scurried onto the boat, started the engine, checked the gauges, checked to make sure the engine was pissing, checked the steering, then went forward and slid off the bow past the trolling motor onto the trailer tongue. I unclipped the strap, let the boat slide off the trailer until my line went tight (bunks and carpet are new and slick as snot on a doorknob),
4 NAPLES | OCTOBER 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM
unclipped the line, hopped back on the boat, then motored over to the dock and tied up. I jogged back to the truck, hopped in, pulled the trailer away from the ramp and parked. Did I say “ready to go” before? Right. I wasn’t. As I locked the truck doors the sight of two rods in the truck rod holder caught my eye. I didn’t load any of my stuff before I launched the boat. Duh. My son normally loads the bags and rods and gear as I get ready to launch. I had only the three rods I can reach from the holder in the bed of the pickup from my side. Fifteen minutes and three trips a hundred yards back and forth and I was actually ready to go. I skipped the bait guy. The family likes shrimp or bait but I always use a bucktail with a Gulp tail added. I ran the Skeeter for about twenty minutes across the bay and up into the back country, skipping the whole “getting bait” activity. Time saved or time recovered, I don’t know. Keeping my castnet from getting smelly? Definitely. Across the bay I saw a school of bluefish. Normally we would excitedly run over and cast to them, doing our catch and release angler thing on bare bucktails. Now, I hesitated. It didn’t feel the same. Instead, I looked at my GPS and studied the tide and wind. Then I went basically meandered over, caught two blues and moved on. Up in the backcountry, I got on the trolling motor and started casting. Again, it felt weird. I normally let my son fish from the bow and control the “Minn Kota” as he calls it from the stern platform. I caught my line in the mangroves far more than normal. I caught fish but it had no spark... Continue Reading the Rest of the Article Next Month...
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FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | OCTOBER 2026 | NAPLES 5
Quite the Mix by Capt. Billy Norris
T
he bite has been real strong for Pale Horse Fishing Charters, with steady action offshore and a solid mix of fish in the backcountry. Offshore, the mangrove snapper bite was excellent for a good stretch, with a lot of fish in that 15- to 18-inch class coming from inside 20 miles, which made for some very good nearshore fishing. There were also plenty of big sharks around during the month, adding some extra excitement anytime they showed up around the wrecks, reefs, or baits. We’ve put anglers right in the middle of goliath grouper spawning season, and the fish were exactly where they should be. That pattern matched what was happening offshore all month, where quite a few goliaths were caught, including true giants and so-called smaller fish that were still in the 50- to 60-pound class. A handful of permit also showed up offshore and added a nice bonus to the month’s catch list. Back in the shallows, we’ve stayed productive with the usual Southwest Florida lineup. Snook, redfish, and trout all bit well in the backwater, and there were also a handful of pompano coming through the passes. Bait has been easy to get through much of the month, with plenty of pilchards and smaller threadfins right on the beach, plus big eight-
inch threadfins offshore that made it easy to stay rigged and ready. Weather-wise, the past few months have been full-on summer heat in Southwest Florida. Water temperatures stayed hot in the mid-80s, which kept the summer pattern in place and made early starts the smart move before the weather built later in the day. Even when the fishing was on, it was important to keep one eye on the sky because summer storms could still pop up fast. Looking ahead into October, gag grouper season is now open, which should add another strong option to the offshore mix. As the next few weeks unfold and the first signs of cooler water start to show up, the fall transition should begin to build, and that usually means anglers can start looking for more spanish mackerel, kingfish, cobia, and tripletail around the beaches, bait schools, and nearshore structure in Southwest Florida. After a strong summer of snapper, sharks, goliaths, permit, and steady backwater action, everything is lining up for October to bring even more variety, bigger opportunities, and some of the best fishing of the changing season!
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FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | OCTOBER 2026 | NAPLES 7
MARCO ISLAND
1860 San Marco Rd, Marco Is., FL 34145 239.235.7101
October/2026 • 25°58’N 81°44’W
October/2026 • 26°8’N 81°48’W
www.USHarbors.com
Marco, Big Marco River, FL - Oct 2026 High
Date
3125 Bayshore Dr., Naples, FL 34112 239.417.0141
NAPLES
www.USHarbors.com
Naples, FL - Oct 2026
Low
High
Date
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Moon
Thu
3:45
3.2
6:26
2.3
11:24
0.0
10:40
1.8
7:19
7:13
1
2
Fri
4:30
3.1
7:50
2.2
12:34
0.2
7:19
7:12
3
Sat
5:42
3.0
9:21
2.2
1:51
0.2
7:20
7:11
4
Sun
7:27
2.9
10:34
2.3
1:25
2.0
3:05
0.3
7:20
5
Mon
8:55
2.9
11:11
2.4
2:57
1.8
4:11
0.3
6
Tue
10:13
3.0
11:40
2.6
4:12
1.5
5:05
7
Wed
11:20
3.0
5:12
1.1
8
Thu
12:09
2.8
12:15
3.1
6:01
9
Fri
12:38
2.9
1:06
3.0
10
Sat
1:07
3.0
1:53
11
Sun
1:36
3.1
12
Mon
2:06
13
Tue
14
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Thu
2:28
3.3
5:36
2.5
10:34
0.1
9:39
2.0
7:19
7:13
2
Fri
3:17
3.3
7:10
2.3
11:44
0.2
10:16
2.2
7:20
7:12
3
Sat
4:28
3.1
8:50
2.4
1:01
0.3
7:20
7:11
7:10
4
Sun
6:54
3.0
10:07
2.5
12:57
2.2
2:13
0.4
7:21
7:10
7:21
7:09
5
Mon
8:29
3.1
10:34
2.6
2:26
2.0
3:16
0.5
7:21
7:09
0.3
7:21
7:08
6
Tue
9:47
3.2
10:56
2.8
3:32
1.7
4:10
0.6
7:21
7:08
5:49
0.4
7:22
7:07
7
Wed
10:50
3.3
11:18
2.9
4:27
1.3
4:58
0.7
7:22
7:07
0.8
6:28
0.6
7:22
7:06
8
Thu
11:40
3.3
11:41
3.1
5:14
0.9
5:40
0.9
7:22
7:06
6:45
0.5
7:04
0.8
7:22
7:05
9
Fri
12:24
3.3
5:58
0.6
6:18
1.1
7:23
7:05
3.0
7:28
0.2
7:40
1.0
7:23
7:04
10
Sat
12:04
3.2
1:04
3.2
6:38
0.3
6:55
1.3
7:23
7:04
2:39
2.9
8:09
0.1
8:15
1.2
7:23
7:03
11
Sun
12:27
3.3
1:44
3.0
7:19
0.2
7:30
1.4
7:24
7:03
3.1
3:23
2.7
8:49
0.0
8:49
1.4
7:24
7:02
12
Mon
12:51
3.3
2:25
2.9
7:59
0.1
8:04
1.6
7:24
7:02
2:34
3.1
4:07
2.6
9:29
0.1
9:22
1.6
7:24
7:01
13
Tue
1:16
3.2
3:11
2.7
8:39
0.2
8:36
1.8
7:25
7:01
Wed
3:01
3.0
4:55
2.4
10:10
0.2
9:53
1.7
7:25
7:00
14
Wed
1:43
3.2
4:01
2.5
9:22
0.3
9:04
1.9
7:25
7:00
15
Thu
3:27
2.9
5:52
2.2
10:56
0.4
10:25
1.8
7:25
6:59
15
Thu
2:13
3.0
5:01
2.4
10:08
0.4
9:24
2.0
7:26
6:59
16
Fri
3:56
2.8
7:03
2.1
11:51
0.5
11:05
1.9
7:26
6:58
16
Fri
2:51
2.9
6:12
2.3
11:01
0.6
9:28
2.1
7:26
6:58
17
Sat
4:35
2.7
8:18
2.1
12:57
0.6
7:26
6:57
17
Sat
3:43
2.7
7:24
2.3
12:08
0.7
7:27
6:57
18
Sun
6:02
2.5
9:32
2.1
12:28
2.0
2:05
0.7
7:27
6:56
18
Sun
5:46
2.6
8:25
2.4
12:13
2.2
1:17
0.8
7:27
6:56
19
Mon
7:47
2.5
10:17
2.2
1:58
1.9
3:08
0.7
7:28
6:55
19
Mon
7:22
2.6
9:13
2.5
1:52
2.1
2:18
0.9
7:28
6:55
20
Tue
9:03
2.5
10:46
2.3
3:12
1.7
4:02
0.7
7:28
6:54
20
Tue
8:32
2.7
9:50
2.7
2:50
1.9
3:09
0.9
7:29
6:54
21
Wed
10:11
2.6
11:12
2.5
4:13
1.4
4:47
0.7
7:29
6:53
21
Wed
9:34
2.8
10:21
2.8
3:37
1.6
3:54
0.9
7:29
6:54
22
Thu
11:09
2.7
11:39
2.7
5:01
1.1
5:26
0.7
7:29
6:53
22
Thu
10:28
2.9
10:48
2.9
4:18
1.2
4:35
1.0
7:30
6:53
23
Fri
12:01
2.8
5:44
0.7
6:03
0.8
7:30
6:52
23
Fri
11:15
3.0
11:12
3.1
4:57
0.8
5:13
1.1
7:30
6:52
24
Sat
12:06
2.9
12:50
2.9
6:24
0.3
6:38
1.0
7:30
6:51
24
Sat
11:57
3.1
11:34
3.2
5:36
0.4
5:49
1.2
7:31
6:51
25
Sun
12:33
3.0
1:39
2.9
7:06
0.0
7:13
1.2
7:31
6:50
25
Sun
12:40
3.1
6:16
0.1
6:24
1.3
7:31
6:50
26
Mon
1:02
3.2
2:29
2.9
7:49
-0.2
7:49
1.3
7:31
6:49
26
Mon
1:27
3.0
6:58
-0.2
6:59
1.5
7:32
6:49
27
Tue
1:32
3.3
3:20
2.8
8:36
-0.4
8:27
1.5
7:32
6:48
27
Tue
12:17
3.4
2:20
2.9
7:44
-0.4
7:36
1.6
7:33
6:49
28
Wed
2:06
3.4
4:13
2.6
9:25
-0.4
9:05
1.6
7:33
6:48
28
Wed
12:46
3.5
3:21
2.7
8:33
-0.5
8:14
1.8
7:33
6:48
29
Thu
2:46
3.4
5:12
2.4
10:17
-0.4
9:47
1.8
7:33
6:47
29
Thu
1:22
3.5
4:28
2.5
9:26
-0.4
8:57
1.9
7:34
6:47
30
Fri
3:31
3.3
6:21
2.3
11:15
-0.2
10:38
1.8
7:34
6:46
30
Fri
2:08
3.3
5:41
2.4
10:22
-0.2
9:49
2.0
7:34
6:46
31
Sat
4:28
3.1
7:35
2.2
12:21
0.0
7:35
6:45
31
Sat
3:11
3.2
6:54
2.4
11:26
0.0
11:13
2.0
7:35
6:46
1
8 NAPLES | OCTOBER 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM
Moon
WIGGINS PASS
10871 Kelly Rd Ft Myers, FL 33908 239.267.6857
1150 Hamilton Lane Chokoloskee, FL 34138 239-695-2414
EVERGLADES
www.USHarbors.com
www.USHarbors.com
October/2026 • 26°17’N 81°49’W
October/2026 • 25°51’N 81°23’W
Wiggins Pass, Cocohatchee River, FL - Oct 2026 High
Date
Everglades City, FL - Oct 2026
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
11:33
0.1
10:38
1.5
7:19
7:13
High
Date
Moon
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Thu
4:53
3.3
8:01
2.4
12:35
1.1
2:00
0.1
7:17
7:12
2
Fri
5:42
3.2
9:35
2.3
1:05
1.2
3:10
0.1
7:18
7:11
3
Sat
6:53
3.1
11:15
2.3
1:42
1.3
4:27
0.2
7:18
7:10
4
Sun
9:19
3.0
4:23
1.3
5:39
0.2
7:19
7:09
5
Mon
12:32
2.5
10:54 AM
3.1
5:52
1.2
6:42
0.3
7:19
7:08
6
Tue
12:59
2.6
12:12
3.2
6:58
1.0
7:36
0.3
7:20
7:07
7
Wed
1:21
2.7
1:15
3.3
7:53
0.7
8:24
0.4
7:20
7:06
8
Thu
1:43
2.9
2:05
3.3
8:40
0.5
9:06
0.5
7:21
7:04
9
Fri
2:06
3.1
2:49
3.3
9:24
0.3
9:44
0.6
7:21
7:03
10
Sat
2:29
3.2
3:29
3.1
10:04
0.2
10:21
0.7
7:21
7:02
11
Sun
2:52
3.2
4:09
3.0
10:45
0.1
10:56
0.8
7:22
7:01
12
Mon
3:16
3.3
4:50
2.8
11:25
0.1
11:30
0.9
7:22
7:00
13
Tue
3:41
3.2
5:36
2.7
12:05
0.1
7:23
6:59
14
Wed
4:08
3.1
6:26
2.5
12:02
1.0
12:48
0.1
7:23
6:59
6:59
15
Thu
4:38
3.0
7:26
2.4
12:30
1.1
1:34
0.2
7:24
6:58
7:27
6:58
16
Fri
5:16
2.9
8:37
2.3
12:50
1.2
2:27
0.3
7:24
6:57
0.5
7:27
6:57
17
Sat
6:08
2.7
9:49
2.3
12:54
1.2
3:34
0.4
7:25
6:56
2:16
0.6
7:28
6:56
18
Sun
1:16
2.2
10:50
2.4
1:24
1.3
4:43
0.5
7:26
6:55
1.5
3:17
0.6
7:28
6:55
19
Mon
9:47
2.6
11:38
2.5
5:18
1.2
5:44
0.5
7:26
6:54
3:49
1.4
4:08
0.7
7:29
6:54
20
Tue
10:57
2.7
6:16
1.1
6:35
0.5
7:27
6:53
2.1
4:36
1.2
4:53
0.7
7:29
6:53
21
Wed
12:15
2.6
2.8
7:03
0.9
7:20
0.5
7:27
6:52
11:32
2.3
5:17
0.9
5:34
0.7
7:30
6:53
11:59 AM
11:56
2.4
5:56
0.6
6:12
0.8
7:30
6:52
22
Thu
12:46
2.8
12:53
2.9
7:44
0.7
8:01
0.6
7:28
6:51
23
Fri
1:13
2.9
1:40
3.0
8:23
0.5
8:39
0.6
7:28
6:50
12:41
2.4
6:35
0.3
6:48
0.9
7:31
6:51
24
Sat
1:37
3.0
2:22
3.1
9:02
0.3
9:15
0.7
7:29
6:50
2.5
1:24
2.4
7:15
0.1
7:23
1.0
7:32
6:50
25
Sun
1:59
3.2
3:05
3.1
9:42
0.0
9:50
0.8
7:29
6:49
12:38
2.5
2:11
2.3
7:57
-0.2
7:58
1.1
7:32
6:49
26
Mon
2:19
3.3
3:52
3.0
10:24
-0.1
10:25
0.9
7:30
6:48
Tue
1:01
2.6
3:04
2.2
8:43
-0.3
8:35
1.2
7:33
6:48
27
Tue
2:42
3.4
4:45
2.8
11:10
-0.2
11:02
0.9
7:31
6:47
28
Wed
1:30
2.7
4:05
2.1
9:32
-0.4
9:13
1.3
7:33
6:48
28
Wed
3:11
3.4
5:46
2.6
11:59
-0.3
11:40
1.0
7:31
6:46
29
Thu
2:06
2.7
5:12
1.9
10:25
-0.3
9:56
1.4
7:34
6:47
29
Thu
3:47
3.4
6:53
2.5
12:52
-0.2
7:32
6:46
30
Fri
2:52
2.6
6:25
1.8
11:21
-0.2
10:48
1.5
7:35
6:46
30
Fri
4:33
3.3
8:06
2.4
12:23
1.1
1:48
-0.1
7:32
6:45
31
Sat
3:55
2.4
7:38
1.8
12:25
0.0
7:35
6:45
31
Sat
5:36
3.1
9:19
2.3
1:15
1.1
2:52
0.0
7:33
6:44
1
Thu
3:12
2.6
6:20
1.9
2
Fri
4:01
2.5
7:54
1.8
12:43
0.2
7:20
7:12
3
Sat
5:12
2.4
9:34
1.8
2:00
0.3
7:20
7:11
4
Sun
7:38
2.3
10:51
1.9
1:56
1.6
3:12
0.3
7:21
7:10
5
Mon
9:13
2.4
11:18
2.0
3:25
1.5
4:15
0.4
7:21
7:09
6
Tue
10:31
2.5
11:40
2.1
4:31
1.2
5:09
0.4
7:22
7:08
7
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11:34
2.5
5:26
0.9
5:57
0.5
7:22
7:07
8
Thu
12:02
2.3
12:24
2.6
6:13
0.7
6:39
0.7
7:22
7:06
9
Fri
12:25
2.4
1:08
2.5
6:57
0.4
7:17
0.8
7:23
7:05
10
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12:48
2.5
1:48
2.4
7:37
0.2
7:54
0.9
7:23
7:04
11
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1:11
2.5
2:28
2.3
8:18
0.1
8:29
1.1
7:24
7:03
12
Mon
1:35
2.5
3:09
2.2
8:58
0.1
9:03
1.2
7:24
7:02
13
Tue
2:00
2.5
3:55
2.1
9:38
0.1
9:35
1.3
7:25
7:01
14
Wed
2:27
2.4
4:45
1.9
10:21
0.2
10:03
1.4
7:25
7:00
15
Thu
2:57
2.3
5:45
1.8
11:07
0.3
10:23
1.5
7:26
16
Fri
3:35
2.2
6:56
1.8
12:00
0.4
17
Sat
4:27
2.1
8:08
1.8
1:07
18
Sun
6:30
2.0
9:09
1.8
1:12
1.6
19
Mon
8:06
2.0
9:57
1.9
2:51
20
Tue
9:16
2.1
10:34
2.0
21
Wed
10:18
2.2
11:05
22
Thu
11:12
2.3
23
Fri
11:59
2.3
24
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25
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12:18
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27
1
Moon
FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | OCTOBER 2026 | NAPLES 9
C
ollier County was a great place to grow up, and a great place to be in the marine business. Growing up and running around in the Ten Thousand Islands was an adventure that not many people our age could understand or relate to. It was just the way it was and we didn’t know anything different. We could go a mile south of town and we might as well have been on a lost continent somewhere. A bunch of barefoot kids running around on Keewaydin Island, camping out, catching and eating our supper, cooking over an open driftwood fire, shark fishing at night, making noise and doing dumb kid stuff on a remote beach long before al-Gore’s internet could showcase any of our youthful foibles. Friendships that were forged back then were like that as well. We had no idea how special those early relationships were, or what they might develop into decades downthe road. But we were, even though it never occurred to us, growing up in a special time in a special place. And we were raised by a Community that was generous beyond measure. One of the families I grew up with was the Dean Family. The late Dr. Ed Dean, Sr. was a colleague and friend of my Dad, Dr. Nick Kalvin. And my Mom, Gerri, was best friends with his wife, Mary Lou. The kids in the families were of similar age, and we spent a lot of time on their private lot on Keewaydin, mostly after Church on Sunday afternoons. As we got older, we began going out there without the folks. And, we’ve actually never stopped. My kids and nephews grew up with that experience, and now their kids (our grand-kids) are telling their own stories about their camping experiences on Keewaydin Island. It’s been a three-generation cycle and counting. Through my career on the water, I’ve had occasion to do business with John Dean and Dr. Ed Dean, Jr., in the areas of vessel service and repair, and marine construction. John is a retired Yacht Broker and a boat Captain, and he approached me one day about 5 years ago with an idea to repair the dock at the Family property, and donate it to a charitable non-profit. We discussed this at length, and he brought an idea to the Family: How about gifting the property to the Marine Industries Association of Collier County Foundation? The idea being to preserve this piece of property in its historical natural state and provide access opportunities for kids’ programs in perpetuity? After much discussion and several meetings with the Family, the Collier County Growth Management department, local Permitting offices, and several consulting and engineering firms, the gifting was approved. The MIACC Foundation became the new owners of the parcel. Funding was the immediate hot-button topic, and a meeting was called at the Naples Boat Club clubhouse. Prospective patrons were invited to learn about the project, and it was very well received. That meeting generated funding for permitting, surveying, engineering, environmental work (clearing exotic vegetation – a biggie!), dock reconstruction, and promotion. We were off and running. The Community pitched in and we have been blessed with generous donations of time, equipment, materials, manpower, and professional services. Companies who jumped right
10 NAPLES | OCTOBER 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM 6 FORT MYERS | AUGUST 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM
BY THE WAKE
by Capt. Jim kalvin
in include Turrell, Hall, & Associates, Bayshore Marine Consulting, Terraquatic Services, Garland & Garland Marine Construction, Kalvin & Calvin Marine Construction, Accurate Pavers, Decks & Docks, Tide Slide, Wear Deck, Landscape Florida, Power Bolt & Tools, Mariner Services, Keewaydin Property Management, Florida Marine Engineering & Consulting, Water Wuber, and Eco Pile. Manta Media deserves special recognition because they have chronicled the Project from inception to current day status. You can see their work at Keewaydinpreserve.com. There is no better way to understand the scope of this effort than to go online and see what and how this is and has been coming together. Private donor names will be with-held at this time as I’ve not contacted them for permission to publish their names. But our future Cook Shack has been funded as have materials for the tent platforms, landscaping, various tools and equipment, and of course, the never-ending insurance and tax payments. Permitting for the site plan, the paver walkway, dock permit, seawall permit, surveying, and engineering took more than a year and a half collectively. And we had a huge setback with Hurricane Ian as that storm buried the majority of our paver path from the intracoastal to the Gulf under 3’ of sand and shell. But we pressed on, got that cleaned up, and persevered. Currently the Project is operational and we had our first formal outing in January with a local boy Scout troop. They rowed their canoes and kayaks from Rookery Bay, worked on tent platforms and reef modules for their merit badges, and camped out for the night. In the morning, they cooked breakfast, cleaned up after themselves, and rowed back to their point of origin. Generally speaking, in today’s environmental language, “preserving” something means “DON’T TOUCH!” At the Keewaydin Preserve, we want you to touch! We want you to get to know the Project, get some sand between your toes, and help us help the Youth in Southwest Florida enjoy want many of us took for granted for many, many years. Feel free to visit Keewaydinpreserve.com to see the Project and meet our Board Members. This Project will leave a Legacy of fun, adventure, and love for the Environment for generations to come! We’d love to have your support for this worth-while effort. Something we can all leave behind for the kids of the future. They need to know that there is more to Southwest Florida than movie theatres, arcades, and shopping malls. They need the opportunity to experience “Old Florida” and have the opportunity to personally experience the richness of this unique ecosystem. Captain Jim Kalvin is a retired Marine Contractor and Marina Manager, and a fully insured current USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master. He specializes in Eastern Seaboard deliveries from the Keys to Nantuckett, and the Gulf Coast from Everglades City to Corpus Christi. He can be reached at 239-427-6344, or at james.kalvin61@gmail.com.
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FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFTMYERS/ | AUGUST 2026 | FORT MYERS 7
The Legacy of the Aluminum Hull By: Jessica Hendrie
12 NAPLES | OCTOBER 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM
T
here is such a unique kind of magic that happens when three generations collide on the water, bound together by an old Jon boat and the shared anticipation of a largemouth bass bite. When you take your own kids out on a boat that once belonged to your grandparent, everything on the pond carries a story. The weathered aluminum benches and a scuffed bottom aren’t just equipment, they are a living piece of family history, now rigged up for chasing largemouth bass with the people who matter most. The boat has seen decades of sunrises, yet today it feels entirely brand new, serving as the bridge between the memories of your own childhood and the wide-eyed wonder of your kids. Cruising out toward your favorite bass-holding weed lines, you realize this humble little craft is more than just a way to float, it's a floating time capsule. Passing the tiller or handing down a well-loved rod isn't just about teaching them how to work a top water frog or locate a drop; it's about handing down a legacy, one cast and one sun-drenched (or rain drenched if you’re in Florida) afternoon at a time. As you cut the motor and the electric trolling motor takes over, the rest of the world fades away. Out here on the calm water with your kids, time slows down. Every missed strike is a shared laugh, and every fish brought over the aluminum side feels like a massive victory, turning a simple afternoon into a memory that will last a lifetime. When the sun dips low and it’s finally time to load the old Jon boat back onto the trailer, the kids might be tired and sticky, but their grins say it all. Long after the tackle boxes are put away and the fish tales are exaggerated, the true catch of the day isn't the bass in the livewell, it's the unbroken chain of family tradition. That passed-down aluminum hull has a whole new lease on life, carrying forward yesterday's memories while quietly building tomorrows.
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FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | OCTOBER 2026 | NAPLES 13
-6829
GO WHEN YOU GET A
CHANCE
M
By: Joe Sheaffer
ost Tuesday Mornings, I’m in Englewood, Florida for a Church Group. I usually plan to hit one of the local beaches for a quick fishing trip. My window is short but it allows me to fish along the surf which I really enjoy. I haven’t been in a couple of weeks and really had no expectations other than some well needed exercise. Honestly the last few times, the beach hasn’t been very productive. When I walked out to the surf, I didn’t feel much better about my chances. Flat calm, super low tide and it was very muggy. The one positive I noticed was a ton of glass minnows in the surf. I started my walk south and noticed some snook around the glass minnows. I started sight fishing and had quite a few follows. I kept at it but I never could get one to eat my lure. I’m thinking if I could find a ladyfish, I’m sure I could get a snook to bite. Well, wouldn’t you know, a couple of casts later I caught a ladyfish. I hooked the ladyfish behind the dorsal with my jig and threw it into the surf. Sure, enough it gets hammered by a nice snook, unfortunately she threw the bait when she came out of the water. Once again, I need a ladyfish. Well, 20 minutes later I got one. I hooked this ladyfish and cast her into the surf. A few minutes later, I hooked into another nice snook but this time I had her hooked good. The fight was on, after a few hard runs I worked her into the very shallow water and got a quick picture. I had a long walk back so I headed home. You never know what may lie ahead. Everyday has its possibilities, I encourage you to go when you get a chance, it just might be a great day. Good luck and keep casting.
14 NAPLES | OCTOBER 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM
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www.FortMyersBoatShow.com for More Information FACEBOOK.COM/CAMNAPLES/ | OCTOBER 2026 | NAPLES 15
e black ht a nic y. g u a c olan o Ba Ryan H out in Ester drum
Harvey’s dad, Jonathan Henke with a huge Charlotte Harbor trout, caught fly fishing!
d win ee e trh h t c i i n w a s r te/ the glhearrw einng eaed w caenC p t h a e S F e b t r t h ! o h o t s f i s SFc ounpreerdbfie nId. hea M a o s t r gro h e k c aw s bo
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Capt. RoanZ know where to find the colorful peacock bass!
Let us Show off Your Catch Next Month!
Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers Submit pics to: camswfl@gmail.com or text to 239.595.8265
Staff
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FISHING THE FALL MULLET MIGRATION
By Skye Nowak
T
he Atlantic coast of Florida experiences one of the planet’s greatest migrations each fall: the fall mullet run. When millions of mullet push south in giant schools toward spawning grounds o! the southern end of the state, it presents an exciting prospect for fishing. It’s an event anglers anticipate all year long. The mullet run doesn’t have an official start or end date. Large schools of mullet, some being the size of three football fields, move south as temperatures cool. Tarpon, sharks, kingfish and redfish are just some of the gamefish that move with these pods. Most years the fishing is on fire in the months of October and November. Obviously, mullet is the bait to use this time of the year. I prefer freelining finger-sized mullet as pretty much everything will bite! I mainly fish inshore, so light tackle is the way for me. However it is important to be prepared to switch up, depending on the size and species of the game fish present. In the backcountry, I like a light-to medium-action 2000 size spinning setup to fish 10/15 pound leader to a 3/0 circle hook, using a simple loop knot, tying a FG knot or double uni to connect leader to braid (main lines) creating a true free line without the added weight of the swivel. The rigging is pretty much the same if needed to beef up for larger catches.
That being said, in a 2500 size setup I’ll fish 15/20 pound leader, but I’ll bump that up to 25/30 pound test on a 3000 size gear for bigger game fish. To fish with mullet, I simply follow the pods, casting to the outside of the schools, opening my bail to let the bait swim naturally. When you hit it right you’ll find yourself hooking up on nearly every cast. With species changing from one cast to the next. From snook to tarpon. Big gamefish tend to seek out isolated or injured mullet, which is exactly what your bait is. This backcountry lady angler enjoys sight fishing and scouting the marshes from the Tomoka Basin to Mosquito Lagoon along Florida’s central Atlantic Coast. I’ll target large breeder reds in the inlets, however I spend my days chasing snook, reds, tarpon, black drum, and sighting tails in our estuaries and marshes. This style of fishing is perfect for throwing artificials on light tackle. This time of the year any artificial that resembles a mullet will produce—swimbaits, Rapala X-Raps, Bomber Lures, Savage Gear Pulse Tail Mullets, LIVETARGET Slow-Roll Mullets, MirroOlure Suspending Twitch Bait Mullets and, my “go-tos,” the NLBN 3-3.75 paddletail jigs, K-Tails and 4to 7-inch mullets. (You can never go wrong with a good ol’ fashioned spoon!) Please remember that during the fall mullet run our breeder redfish are much more susceptible to being caught from beaches, boats, bridges, docks and piers. Handling them with care and releasing them safely is important to the future of our fisheries! The statewide slot limit is 18-27 inches, intended to protect the larger fish which are part of the spawning stock. Landing a larger redfish this time of the year is easy with the mullet running simply freelined, or drop one on a weighted rig to land that trophy! Before you experience that drag-pulling run you should be knowledgeable on how to properly handle and release your fish. In recent years, Florida has adopted management plans for redfish, and there are new regulations across nine di!erent zones. Anglers need to understand these regulations because they are intended to protect one of our iconic species in the face of habitat loss. Most of the state now has a one fish per person daily limit in the 18-27 inch slot. Some regions have two fish per vessel limit and others have a four fish per vessel limit. The Indian River zone, from New Smyrna Beach South Causeway to the Martin/Palm Beach County line (not including Locks Of Hatchy), is strictly catch-and-release only for redfish. Make sure to visit myfwc.com for your area’s regulations, as well as instruction on safe handling and release.
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PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES
3 BEST LURES FOR REDFISH
Y
CAPT. MIKE SMITH
ou can !nd red!sh around oyster bars, grass %ats, mangroves, dock pilings, mud %ats and any other place where they can !nd crabs, shrimp, snails and !sh to eat. PRO TIP - Red!sh spend most of their lives looking down with their heads “literally” in the mud. &e best way to get their attention is with a lure that stinks and/or makes a lot of noise to maximize your catch. GULP SHRIMP - &at is why my number one lure choice for catching red!sh in every inshore scenario is the Berkeley Gulp 3” shrimp. I usually couple that lure with a 1/8 ounce jig head and a 20 pound leader. Cast it to your target and let it sink to the bottom. &en bounce it on the bottom back to you slowly and repeat. I think that many anglers !sh their jigs too quickly. You have to give the red!sh a chance to notice your lure and then come over and attack it. Another great technique is using a popping cork with 18 to 24 inches of line beneath the cork. You are using the same Gulp shrimp and jig head but you are dangling it just off of the bottom and popping the cork to get the red!sh’s attention. &is is a great combination because it lets the red!sh use its nose and its lateral line to !nd the bait. GOLD SPOONS- Gold spoons have been the gold standard of red!sh anglers for decades. &is simple lure catches the heck out of red!sh anywhere red!sh live. &ere are long time red!sh anglers who only use gold spoons to target reds. You will want to get a weed less gold spoon because you need to !sh them in the bottom part of the water column. &ey work the best when they are bounced on the bottom or when they are presented just off of the bottom. Cast your gold spoon and bounce it slowly on the bottom as you reel it back to you. &e spoons do not have any scent to attract the red!sh but they can see the %ash and feel the low frequency vibrations as the lure moves through the water. PADDLETAIL - A 3-inch paddletail catches just about every !sh that swims and it is very easy to !sh with. Red!sh prefer a slow and steady retrieve that bounces off of the bottom. Your best paddletail colors for red!sh are white with gold glitter for clean water scenarios or brown with gold glitter for dirty water scenarios. Choose a paddletail with lots of wiggle so the red!sh can feel your lure even if they can’t smell it. Bring the three lures mentioned in this article for your next red!sh trip and you will be very happy with your results. Go get ‘em. Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass Off Charters, has been fishing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass flats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact fishyourassoff.com or visit fishyourassoff.com.
Redfish Regs
F
all is prime time for targeting red!sh, but rules and regulations vary by state and often change, so always check with your state’s official Fish & Wildlife agency for the most current rules before !shing. • Texas: 3 !sh, 20-28 inches; special regulations apply to oversized !sh. • Louisiana: 4 !sh, 18–27 inches. • Mississippi: 3 !sh, 18–30 inches, plus 1 over 30 inches. • Alabama: 3 !sh, 16–26 inches, plus 1 oversized !sh. • Florida: Generally 1 !sh, 18–27 inches. Indian River Lagoon is catch-and-release only, with regional differences elsewhere. • Georgia: 3 !sh, 15–24 inches. • South Carolina: 2 !sh, 15–23 inches. • North Carolina: 1 !sh, 18–27 inches.
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Dometic Premier Film Reveals Innovation Behind Award-Winning DG3 Technology
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ometic recently premiered “The Voyage,” a new documentarystyle film chronicling the development of its award-winning DG3 Gyrostabilizer. Featuring engineers, designers, and innovators at Dometic Marine, the film provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Dometic challenged conventional gyro technology to deliver significantly faster spin-up times, 40% lower power consumption, and broader accessibility for recreational boaters. With their ability to counteract wave motion and reduce side-toside boat roll by as much as 95%, gyrostabilizers have the power to make recreational boating more comfortable and enjoyable whether fishing, cruising, or relaxing on the anchor. With its new DG3, Dometic set out to overcome common obstacles to gyro ownership, delivering industry-leading spin-up and spin-down times, greatly reduced energy consumption, electric actuators with active precession for faster response and better performance, and maintenancefree design. The technology behind Dometic’s DG3 is so groundbreaking, it won both an NMMA Innovation Award at the 2025 Miami International Boat Show and the Dame Design Award at METS Trade 2025 in Amsterdam. This new film shares how the Dometic Marine team overcame engineering and design challenges throughout DG3’s development. It also explains the “why” — how Dometic designers and engineers set out to make the benefits of gyro stabilizing technology accessible to more boats and boaters around the world. The Voyage was filmed and produced in and around Dometic Marine’s design and manufacturing center in Vancouver, Canada — where many of the company’s award-winning boating products were designed, manufactured, and tested in one of the industry’s most advanced facilities. “We recognized early on that we needed outside-the-box thinking and bold adaptations of our core technologies to truly take gyro performance
to a “Whole New Level,” said Dometic Marine Segment President Eric Fetchko. “For DG3 to be truly revolutionary in terms of spin-up time, power consumption, ride-smoothing performance, and durability, we had to achieve things that had never been done. This film takes the audience into our design room, factory floor and testing facilities as we create what will be the first of many gyro systems in the future,” added Fetchko. To learn more about Dometic’s award-winnning DG3 technology, visit your nearest Dometic Marine retailer or go to www.dometic.com.
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A WHOLE NEW LEVEL Introducing Dometic’s DG3 Gyro
Smooth Sailing Experience a new level of comfort on the water with our DG3 Gyro Stabilizer. By minimizing boat roll, it ensures a smooth, steady ride, even in choppy conditions. Whether you’re fishing, dining, or just unwinding, the Gyro creates a more enjoyable and stable environment. Operating quietly and without the need for external fins, it lets you focus on what matters most: making every moment on the water truly relaxing.
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T
he International Game Fish Association (IGFA) tracks record !sh catches around the globe. Here are a few highlights from their newly approved world records. To see all newly approved IGFA world records go to igfa.org.
Lytle’s Weakfish Rowan Lytle was !shing Long Island Sound in Connecticut on May 14, 2026, when he landed this 25.19-inch weak!sh. With this !sh, Rowan has set the IGFA AllTackle Length Fly World Record for the species. &e record weak!sh struck his Clouser and was landed after a short !ght. He then recorded the length on his official IGFA Measuring Device before releasing the !sh safely.
Wroth’s Skipjack Tuna
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On April 3, 2026, &omas Wroth was !shing Rottnest Island out of Perth, Australia, when he landed this 10.4-pound skipjack tuna. With this !sh, &omas has set the IGFA Junior Men’s 4-kg (8 lb) Line Class World Record for the species. He was trolling aboard the “Natraliste” when the record skipjack struck his lure. He was able to boat the !sh after a 30-minute !ght and returned to the Fremantle Sailing Club for an official weight on a certi!ed scale.
Taylor’s Bonefish Laura Ann Taylor was !shing the %ats of Molokai, Hawaii, on April 30, 2026, when she landed this 8.9-pound Paci!c bone!sh. With this !sh, Laura has set the IGFA Women’s 6-kg (12 lb) Tippet Class Record for the species. After an exciting !ght, she was able to land the bone!sh that had struck her shrimp %y, record the weight on her certi!ed scale, and release it safely.
Nechuta’s Walleye
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On May 10, 2026, Carter Nechuta, age 16, was !shing Big Eau Pleine Reservoir when he landed this impressive 27.17inch walleye. With this !sh, Carter has set the IGFA AllTackle Length Junior World Record for the species. Carter landed the record walleye on a jerkbait. He was able to record the length on his official IGFA Measuring Device before releasing the !sh safely.
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