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LOCAL REPORTS & CATCH PHOTOS VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 378

PHOTO CREDIT: CAPT. SHANE TROTTIER WHATEVER TURNS U ON FISHING CHARTERS WWW.WHATEVERTURNSUONFISHING.COM IG: @WHATEVERTURNSUON

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PRO FISHING TECHNIQUES

Snook Season Must Haves

CAPT. MIKE SMITH

inally, September is here and everyone’s favorite inshore fish is back on the menu. This article will cover the best bait and tackle to hunt down slot-sized linesiders. Check your local rules and regulations before keeping any snook. You can do jail time and get heavy fines by harvesting under- and over-slot snook.

WHAT TACKLE DO YOU NEED TO CATCH A KEEPER SNOOK?

It really depends upon where you are fishing for them. If you are out on the flats or on the beach, then you can get away with lighter tackle. You can land a slot snook with a medium-action rod, a 2500 series reel spooled with 10 pound braid and a 30 pound leader. You don’t need heavy tackle when there is no structure around to get cut off on. If you are fishing for snook around docks, bridges, rocks, mangroves or oyster bars, then you might want to use heavier tackle. A medium/ heavy rod with a 4000 series reel spooled with 20 pound braid and a 40 pound leader will usually do the trick.

WHAT ARE THE BEST BAITS FOR CATCHING SNOOK?

Natural baits usually work the best for snook. Snook love croakers, pinfish, mullet, shrimp and white baits like threadfin herring. The key to using natural baits is using the correct sized hook for the bait that you are using. You wouldn’t want to use a 5/0 hook with a shrimp or a white bait because it’s too heavy to allow the bait to swim. You would want to use a 1/0 or 2/0 hook for those smaller baits. Conversely, you would not want to use a small hook for a large, 10-inch mullet. The small hook would most likely not set properly once the snook ate it. You would want to use a 5/0 or larger hook for a large mullet. You want to match your hook to the bait

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size, not the size of the fish that you are trying to catch.

WHAT ARE THE BEST LURES FOR SEPTEMBER SNOOK?

The best thing about September is the mullet run typically begins about then. Millions of mullet will flood the inshore and offshore waters of Florida; a little later for Georgia and the Carolinas. Every marine predator will be gorging themselves on these delicious baits. Mullet imitations of varying sizes will be a good bet when the schools are passing through. The key is to match the size of the mullet in your area. Mullet within the schools might range from 15 inches down to 4-inch finger mullet. Large topwater lures work great around the outer parts of the schools. My personal favorites are Heddon’s Super Zara Spooks in pearl white, but oftentimes they will hit any color that mimics the size and profile of the fish they are feeding on correctly. Another great choice is the D.O.A. Bait Buster Shallow Runner. This is a soft plastic topwater/ subsurface lure that perfectly matches 4- to 5-inch mullet. 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.

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TIPS FROM A PRO •

DROP SHOT FOR THE TOUGH BITE

TYLER WOOLCOTT

he end of summer is drawing near, and the !shing is getting a little tough. From !shing pressure through the summer to warm water temps, this September can be a grind at times. Fish tend to get a little lock-jawed, and this can be really frustrating. When this scenario presents itself, I pull out a spinning rod, downsize my line and bait, and slow down my presentation to get !nicky !sh to eat. One of my favorite techniques this time of year is a drop shot. My drop shot rig consists of a weight tied to the end of the line with a hook and soft plastic tied in about 12 to 18 inches above the weight. #ere are two styles of baits I like to drop shot. One of them is a !nessestyle worm like the 13 Fishing Rabbit Ear Joy Stick Ultra #in 4.5’ worm. I like a worm on my drop shot when I’m targeting largemouth, especially in Southern states. #ese !sh are usually feeding on a little bit larger forage, and the !nesse worm is a perfect !t. Rig this worm on a 1/0 Hayabusa FPP Straight hook with a 1/4- or 3/8-oz. WOO! Tungsten weight for the perfect presentation. #e other soft plastic I like on a drop shot is a small bait!sh imitator. #e 13 Fishing Vertigo Minnow gets a ton of bites. When you !nd !sh chasing small bait!sh or you’re up north where there are smallmouth bass, this style of soft plastic gets the job done. Rig it on a Hayabusa DSR132 #1 !nesse hook with a 1/4- or 3/8-oz. WOO! Tungsten weight, as well. I like to keep things simple when it comes to colors. With !nicky !sh, you want your bait to look as natural as possible. I match colors to the forage in the lake. When throwing the !nesse worm, my favorite colors are the green pumpkins and even pinkish colors like a morning dawn. With the bait!sh, I stick to white and pearl or your green pumpkin and brown. A drop shot is an awesome way to get bites when it gets tough. With the bait suspended o$ the bottom above your weight, it gives !sh a di$erent presentation than the normal Texas rig. Pitch it around hard cover like

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wood and rock, drag it through grass or throw it around dropo$s or deep spots. I always have a drop shot rigged this time of year, and it puts !sh in the boat. Drop Shot Gear: A drop shot is a !nesse approach. I use a 13 Fishing Omen Black 7’1” medium fast action rod paired with a 2500 size spinning reel. Spool this combo with Seaguar 10-lb. Smackdown braid leading to an 8- to 12-lb. Abrazx fluorocarbon leader depending on the cover and water clarity you are dealing with. Capt. Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler, as well as owner/ operator of Florida Big Fish Adventures, providing bass and saltwater guided fishing trips: www.floridabigfishadventures.com.

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A FAMILY KEYS

LAUGHTER, LUNACY & LOBSTERS

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

here is a special kind of chaos that happens when you put your entire family on a center-console boat in the Florida Keys with a pile of lobster gauges, oversized gloves, nets and tickle sticks. Everyone starts the day believing they are an expert lobster hunter. #at con!dence usually lasts until the !rst person gets into the water. Our mission was simple: catch Florida spiny lobsters. #ey have long antennae, great camouflage, and the ability to shoot backward faster than you would think possible. #e basic idea sounds easy. You snorkel across the shallow reef, look under rocks and ledges, and watch for antennae sticking out. Once you !nd a lobster, you slide a tickle stick behind it and gently tap it forward. #en you position your net so that when the lobster shoots backward, it goes right into the net. At least, that is how it is supposed to work. With my family, it looked more like an underwater comedy show. At one point, my teenager managed to guide a lobster straight toward his own shorts. #en we tried to measure our !rst catch underwater with the required lobster gauge and accidentally let it escape.

S By Capt. Michael Okruhlik Watching it disappear while everyone was laughing through flooded masks was probably the funniest part of the day. For the !rst few hours, the lobsters were winning. We missed with the nets, bumped into each other and wasted plenty of time chasing lobsters that had already found another hiding place. Eventually, though, we started to !gure it out. We found several lobsters tucked beneath a patch of seagrass and !nally got into a rhythm. One person worked the tickle stick while another handled the net. Every lobster was measured carefully before going into the bag. By the end of the afternoon, we had a legal catch and enough lobster for a meal none of us would soon forget. One of the best things about lobstering in the Keys is that some dockside restaurants will cook your catch. We pulled up to a restaurant o$ering “Hook and Cook,” handed our bag to the chef, grabbed a table seaside and waited. #e chef served the lobster !ve di$erent ways. We had split tails grilled with garlic butter, lightly fried lobster, blackened, chilled lobster with mango and lime,

and a few others. Every dish was di$erent, and every plate came back empty. By the end of the night, we were tired, sunburned and covered in dried saltwater, butter and mango juice. We didn’t catch the biggest lobsters in the Keys, and we de!nitely didn’t look like professionals doing it. But we caught enough for an incredible family meal—and made the kind of memories we will probably laugh about for years.

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Rahill Wins 2026 Florida Python Challenge

he Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners announced the results and winners of the 2026 Florida Python Challenge, an event intended to raise awareness about invasive species while engaging the public in Everglades conservation through removal of invasive Burmese pythons. Over the course of the 10-day event, 907 Python Challenge participants from 30 di$erent states, as well as from Canada and Vietnam, collectively removed 280 invasive Burmese pythons from south Florida. A highlight of this year’s event was the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight o&cial Python Challenge competition locations. #is year’s Ultimate Grand Prize winner of $10,000 was Tom Rahill (pictured), who removed 96 Burmese pythons during the competition—all of which were removed from Everglades National Park, contributing directly to Everglades conservation. #e longest python of the competition was also removed from Everglades National Park, measuring 16 feet, 5 inches, and removed by Rahm Levinson. “#e number of invasive pythons removed from the Everglades during the 2026 Florida Python Challenge is a major victory for Florida’s native wildlife and a testament to what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and public participation,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. “#e 2026 Florida Python Challenge was a resounding success, made possible by the dedication of our sta$, the generous support of our partners, the continued leadership of Gov. DeSantis and the commitment of the many competitors who participated in this year’s event. With more than 1,600 pythons removed through Florida Python Challenge events to date and more than 19,000 removed by FWC and South Florida Water Management District contractors since 2017, these collective e$orts continue to reduce the threat Burmese pythons pose to Florida’s native wildlife and ecosystems.” #e 2026 Florida Python Challenge was hosted by the FWC and the South Florida Water Management District, working closely with partners at the National Park Service and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.

For more information on Burmese pythons, visit MyFWC.com/Python. The public can also help by reporting pythons and other nonnative snakes, tegus and monitor lizards to FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-IVE-GOT1 (888-483-4681), and by reporting sightings of other nonnative fish and wildlife online at IveGot1.org or by downloading the free IveGot1 smartphone app. More information on nonnative species can be found at MyFWC.com/Nonnatives.

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LAST-MINUTE TRIP PRODUCES RECORD BLUE RUNNER By CAM Staff

last-minute invitation to go !shing turned into a trip for the history books when Danny Ireland landed a 10.1-pound blue runner, breaking a Florida state record that had stood for nearly 30 years. #e !sh surpassed the previous Florida record of 8.5 pounds by nearly 2 pounds—and came within 1.1 pounds of the 11.2-pound world record. #e remarkable catch happened Saturday, April 18, after his friend Brandon called Ireland late on the night before to invite him along on a family o$shore !shing trip in Southwest Florida. Ireland’s original plans for the weekend had fallen through, so he jumped at the opportunity. #e group started at one spot that produced little action before moving to a nearby reef and began to chum. Brandon quickly got some yellowtail snapper !red up and started catching them one after another. After trying unsuccessfully for mangrove snapper with his girlfriend’s rod, Ireland switched to his go-to setup: an 8-foot Shimano Teramar paired with a Penn Slammer 4500 DX, rigged with approximately 20 feet of 20-pound leader and a 1/0 hook. He free-lined a piece of thread!n to the left of the yellowtail school. “A couple left the school to come over to my bait, and before I knew it, the bait disappeared on the surface, dragging and ripping instantly,” he recalled. At !rst, he thought he might have hooked a mahi-mahi. But the powerful run quickly suggested otherwise. #e !sh took him around the back of the boat and became tangled in several lines, forcing the crew to cut them in an e$ort to keep the !sh hooked. Ireland was doing everything he could to end the !ght, even cupping the spool and tightening the drag in hopes of breaking the line so he could get back to !shing for snapper. But when the !sh !nally came within sight of the boat, everything changed. “#at’s a record blue runner! Get it in the boat!” Brandon yelled. #ere was just one problem: the landing net broke.

With no other option, Ireland grabbed the blue runner by the tail and managed to pull it aboard. #e group took photos before getting back to !shing and continued catching !sh throughout the day. It wasn’t until they returned to an area with cell service that they realized just how signi!cant the catch might be. Ireland looked up the existing records and quickly realized the !sh was going to be close. A shrimper at the dock weighed the !sh at 10.5 pounds on his scale. Two days later, after the !sh had been kept on ice, Ireland took it to a certi!ed scale at Marina Jack’s in Sarasota. #e o&cial weight came in at 10.1 pounds, enough to break the longstanding Florida blue runner record and just 1.1 pounds shy of the recognized 11.2-pound world record. “I’ve been !shing my whole life and never would’ve imagined I’d break any record, let alone on a last-minute trip,” Ireland said.

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Fall Bird Migration By Capt. Wes Tallyn

eptember is the peak month for the fall migration of many bird species. Species that nest to our north head south following the warmer temperatures. Most birds eat either seeds or insects, so the cold or often snowy conditions leave limited opportunities for food. Interestingly, most of the birds that pass through West Florida are female birds, with a majority of the males choosing other flyways. Flyways are preferred paths that the birds follow to their wintering grounds. Over the years, ornithologists have tracked birds via radar to map the different flyways over the United States. Raptor birds will also migrate, following their prey. Sometimes huge kettles of hawks and other raptors will pass by our area. The Florida Keys Hawk Watch will often count thousands of birds passing in a single day! So, if you have the opportunity to get outdoors in Florida this fall, keep your eyes up and see what you can see! — Captain Wes Tallyn was raised in Florida and is a fisherman, birder, avid outdoors-man, photographer, and environmental scientist. Wes has a focus on conservation and education in the community and is the owner of Snook Jam Outdoors. You can find him on Instagram @snookjam or call 727-410-5853.

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TAMPA 3

CAPT. SERGIO’S CORNER BY: CAPT. SERGIO ATANES

Finding Big Redfish in Cooler Water

eptember is my change-up month. I shift away from my usual mackerel, trout, and shark routine and turn my attention to big redfish. With a little luck, the weather begins to ease, the sun feels a bit less punishing, and the fishing becomes enjoyable again. It is also the time of year when I trade live bait for fresh-cut threadfin sardines. This is not the time I spend much effort hunting redfish across the flats. Instead, I look for them around docks, bridges, and deep cuts along oyster beds. After a long, hot summer, redfish often slide into cooler, deeper water. Their anatomy tells part of the story: their eyes sit high on the head, while the mouth points downward, making them natural bottom feeders. That is one reason so many fish are missed on top-water plugs or live bait—just before the strike, the redfish can lose sight of the prey. The first step is finding docks with moving water. I like the start of an outgoing tide around docks in the upper Tampa Bay area. Once I am within casting distance of the dock’s shaded side, I chum with small pieces of cut threadfin sardines to draw fish out and keep them feeding. For tackle, I keep the rig simple. I use either a 1/0 J hook or a 2/0 circle hook, depending on the angler. For clients with less experience, I choose J hooks because they naturally tend to pull when setting the hook. For seasoned redfish anglers, I prefer circle hooks. My standard setup is a 30-inch section of 30-pound fluorocarbon leader tied to 15-pound braided line with a surgeon’s knot. Other knots will

4 TAMPA

SEPTEMBER 2026

work, but the surgeon’s knot is simple, fast, and dependable. Because I am usually fishing 3 to 8 feet of water with some current, I add a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce split shot to keep the bait close to the bottom. Of course, not every dock will hold fish, and some will consistently outproduce others. Time on the water is the only way to learn which ones are worth fishing. Around docks, the larger redfish usually stay near the deepest water or tight to nearby structure. Winter can help you build that knowledge. Cold fronts and high pressure often bring extremely low tides, and those low, clear-water days are ideal for studying local docks. Look for rocks, old pilings, debris, and other structures that will hold fish when the water returns. I have found docks with furniture, rocks, and leftover construction debris beneath them, often from homes built years earlier. Make notes about what you find and where it sits, then return in spring and fall when the redfish move back in. When September arrives, do not overlook the shade beneath the docks. The big reds are there, waiting for the right bait to drift by.

— Capt. Sergio Atanes is host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report on Facebook and YouTube. He also hosts Fishing Adventures Florida TV show airing on YouTube, Waypoint TV, Carbon TV, Outdoor Action, and Angling TV. Owner of Reelfishy.com Charter business covering the west coast of Florida with over 135 captains on staff. For information contact Capt. Sergio at (813) 973-7132 email: atanes@msn.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2026

TAMPA 5

NEW PORT RICHEY REPORT BY: CAPT. BILL RUTHERFORD

The kids aren’t the only creatures going back to school!

he redfish bite has been fantastic lately and will reach the level of stupendous leading up to October, when it will become… whatever is better than stupendous. The flats are alive lately with meandering schools of fish in the dozens and scattered fish in the hundreds. These fish are of the hungry variety too, which is my personal favorite type of fish. There are several ways to get these fish hooked, but the easiest, by far, is a stinky cut bait. Take some time to sit on the flat and watch the schools before trying to approach them. Pay attention to the pattern that they are working and try to set up out in front of them. I like to use a cut pinfish on 25-pound leader and a 2/0 circle hook and free-line it. The fish usually take their sweet time to eat it, so be patient and wait until the drag starts singing to reel tight. It is common to have multiple fish hooked up at a time, so it’s a good idea to have one rod per angler sitting out there. I like the dusk and dawn if possible, and if either of those times coincide with an outgoing tide that’s even better. In our area, we are usually sitting in

about a foot or so of water and following the fish out as the water drops. Similarly, if you are fishing the incoming tide, I like to get as skinny as you can get and follow them in as the water rises. You can use the same technique throwing artificials as well. We e d l e s s gold spoons are perfect for these schooling or scattered fish, but a scented soft bait on a jig head works great if worked slowly through the school. As always, please make sure to revive these fish thoroughly! Warm water has them moving slowly, and summer is also the sharky time of year, so try to get them lively again before watching them disappear back into the grass! — Captain Bill is a Florida native who grew up fishing the Gulf Coast. Being a proud Army Vet himself, he founded a charity called VetCatch that takes disabled veterans on cost free fishing trips in the Tampa Bay area. He guides out of New Port Richey fishing a 24-foot Shoalwater tower boat as well as the custom 25-foot VetCatch pontoon if needed for elderly/disabled fisherman. www.rustybucket.fish.

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TAMPA 7

Fall King of the Beach Tournament & Festival

eady to chase the King? The Old Salt Fall King of the Beach Tournament & Festival is back, bringing three action-packed days of fishing, competition, live entertainment, great food, and unforgettable fun to Madeira Beach! For more than 30 years, King of the Beach has been one of Madeira Beach’s most anticipated events — and this year, the excitement is bigger than ever. With 500+ teams, more than $300,000 in cash and prizes, and the chance to land that elusive King Mackerel, anglers will hit the water with one goal in mind: bring home the crown! Whether you’re a seasoned tournament pro or ready to test your luck as a first-time competitor, this is your chance to get in the game. With low entry fees, a level playing field, and more than 60 ways to win, every boat has a shot at glory. Gather your crew, fuel up the boat, sharpen your hooks, and get ready for three days of fishing fever! But the King of the Beach is about much more than what happens offshore. From Thursday through Saturday, Madeira Beach comes alive with a festival atmosphere featuring: • Exciting tournament fishing and weigh-ins • Live music and entertainment • Delicious local food and drinks • Marine-themed art, crafts, and boat displays • A fun-filled kids zone • A spectacular fireworks show Saturday night And when the big fish hit the scales, the entire crowd gets in on the excitement. There’s nothing quite like watching a tournament-winning King Mackerel come across the dock with hundreds of fans cheering it on!

Why Fish the King? - Because anything can happen.

The thrill of the chase. The adrenaline of a screaming reel. The teamwork between you and your crew. The possibility that the next bite could be the fish that puts you on top. Whether you’re chasing a trophy, chasing a check, or simply chasing an unforgettable weekend on the water, King of the Beach delivers. Bring your family, rally your friends, and make this the fishing trip everyone talks about long after the last fish is weighed.

Fishing for a Great Cause

The Old Salt Fishing Foundation is a dedicated nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers, with a mission of giving back to the community. Your participation helps make a difference. Last spring, Old Salt provided more than 600 kids with fishing rods, helping introduce a new generation to the joy of fishing and the outdoors. So when you fish the King, you’re fishing for more than a trophy. You’re fishing for your community. Come for the competition. Stay for the festival. Fish for the win. Make memories that last a lifetime. - November 12–14, 2026 | Madeira Beach, Florida Round up your crew, rig your boat, and get ready to chase the King! Visit www.OldSaltFishing.org, follow Old Salt Fishing Foundation on Facebook for tournament updates, or contact amy@OldSaltFishing.org or 727-201-7777 to learn more or register. Don’t just watch the action — get in the boat and be part of it! 8 TAMPA

SEPTEMBER 2026

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TAMPA 9

Catching Keeper Mangrove Snapper Inside Tampa Bay BY: CAPT. GEORGE HASTICK

ampa Bay offers some of the finest inshore, wreck, and reef fishing in Florida. Among the various species available, mangrove snapper (gray snapper) stands out as a sought-after target. They provide fast-paced action, fight hard for their size, and are one of the best-tasting fish in the Bay besides grouper. While often associated with offshore reefs, thriving populations of mangrove snapper remain inside the bay year-round, with exploding action during summer months. Mangrove snapper love structure. Inside Tampa Bay, look for areas that offer cover and tidal flow. Bridge pilings around The Gandy Bridge, Howard Frankland Bridge, and the Sunshine Skyway, along with many of the shipping channel edges, are prime locations. The deep edges and rock piles along the main shipping channels hold massive schools. Mangrove shorelines loaded with shallow roots host smaller juvenile snapper, along with many keepers. Numerous state-maintained artificial reefs inside the Bay provide ideal habitats for mangrove snapper, with fish being caught up to 21 inches well up into the Bay. Most fish will average 10 to14 inches since the bad red tide of 2021. They are making a good comeback, with many larger fish being caught near the Skyway and the ships channel. Before that event, it was common to catch multiple fish up to 18 inches often. Recently we have seen an uptick in size and quantity of the mangrove

snapper up inside the Bay. If you can find your own rock piles, that is a great way to get away from the crowds. Snapper have keen eyesight, sharp teeth, and hang out by structure. So, you need a balance of light tackle and a decent setup to get the bite but be able to get them away from the structure. Use a 7 to 7.5-foot, medium-fast action spinning rod paired with a 4000-series reel, spool up with 15 to 20-pound Fin’s braided line for sensitivity and strength, with the drag tight. Tie on 4 to 5 feet of 20-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader. Upgrade to 25 to 30-pound if fishing heavy structure with a #1 or 1/0 Owner Mutu Light Circle Hook. (Check laws). Use no weight to the smallest weight needed, or a knocker rig, depending on where you’re fishing, to get the bait to the fish. Live Bait like scaled sardines (whitebait), threadfin herring, and live shrimp are deadly, but when they get finicky, those same baits cut into pieces can get the job done. Live chumming whitebait or pieces being thrown overboard can turn the dinner bell on. They will often come right to the surface to eat your offering. In this situation, freelining your live bait or cut bait with the chum in the current is a deadly presentation. So, get out there and catch some dinner. — Capt. George Hastick of “Fish Hunter Fishing Charters” in St. Petersburg, Fl. is the co-host of Florida West Coast Fishing Report and co-hosts Fishing Adventures Florida which is on five streaming channels and You Tube. He has been fishing the waters of the Tampa Bay area for over 40 years and guiding over 20 years.

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TAMPA 11

Maybe Not The Cleanest Comparison BY: CAPT. T J SHEA

r. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Bruce Banner and the Hulk. Anakin and Darth Vader. Walter White and Heisenberg. The Gulf Council/NOAA and September 2026. Maybe not the cleanest comparison, but it’s the first thing that popped into my head. Here’s why: for the first time in a long time, recreational and charter-for-hire anglers can harvest all 4 of our big Gulf species — red snapper, red grouper, gag grouper, and amberjack — at the same time. Initially it sounds like a dream, right? And when did NOAA and the Gulf Council decide to hand us this gift? Smack in the middle of peak hurricane season. If all it took was running a few miles out of the pass to load the box, this would not be so much of a big deal. As we all know, it’s not. To have a real shot at legal fish on all 4 species, you’re making a long run no matter where you fish. West coast of Florida, you’re looking at 30 miles minimum, and more realistically 50+. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama — same story. Each state’s got one or two species close to home, but to check every box you’re running 60-90 miles offshore. That means you need

decent weather at a minimum, wire to wire, for a full day. Look back at the last few Septembers, and the math gets ugly. We could only make that long a run about 1 out of every 3 days — call it 10 days total. Another third we got out, but rough conditions kept us close to shore. The last third was a straight-up wash, no trip at all. So, this “holy grail” opportunity, on paper, feels more like a mirage. Realistically, we’re talking 10 good days out of 365 on the calendar. When I first saw this come across the wire, I started thinking about the good old days — fish boxes so full we had to pull the drinks and food out of the cooler just to shut the lid, tails hanging out everywhere. Back when it was me and Big Brian side by side at the filet table for two hours straight after a 10-hour trip. That’s the excitement this September should bring. But stepping back, this month’s probably going to be a handful of epic days mixed with a lot of tough phone calls — refunding deposits because there’s nowhere else to move the trip. That’s the real fishing forecast for September 2026 in the Gulf. — Capt. TJ Shea. Owner/Operator 2 Shea CHARTERS Fishing and Diving Charters. TJ has been exploring above and below the Gulf of Mexico since he was 8 years old. Contact us at 813-385-2169 and at info@fishanddivetampa.com

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SEPTEMBER 2026

TAMPA 13

Ahoy Mates!

It’s The Tampa Bay Boat Show Chart your course the Florida State Fairgrounds on September 25, 26, 27.

njoy walking around millions of dollars of inventory on hand from Tampa Bay’s leading boat dealers. The Tampa Bay Boat Show is a grand event showcasing area boat dealers/manufacturers, the latest in boating and fishing supplies.

Tampa Bay’s Largest Boating Sales Event!

The Tampa Bay Boat show offers a great way to see and compare all available makes and models in one location. Pontoons, Cruisers, Center Consoles, Jet Skis, exhibits and more. Plus, you don’t want to miss the Florida Fishing School Seminars Series each day. Take part in a series of presentations by the area’s top fishing guides and local experts… great tips, secrets, and fun! Learn how to catch the big one! There is something for Boaters of all ages waiting for you. After you have found your dreamboat explore the many exhibits of the clothing, sunglasses, boating and docking accessories and so much more. The event is open to the public, and admission is free so bring the family and make a day of it. You could be on the water before the weekend is over.

HOURS: Friday – Sunday 10am-5pm FREE ADMISSION Florida State Fairgrounds 4800 US-301, Tampa, FL 33610

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SEPTEMBER 2026

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n June 12, 2026, Ronald Patella had an incredible day of flats fishing in Biscayne Bay, Fla. He landed an impressive permit along with a tarpon and Atlantic bonefish to earn himself an International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Inshore Grand Slam! For more IGFA records, visit IGFA.org.

GREATER AMBERJACK SEASON OPENS IN GULF SEPTEMBER 1

he Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order to modify the 2026 recreational season for greater amberjack in state waters of the Gulf of America. #e recreational season will be open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13 and will close at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 14. #is season is consistent with NOAA’s recently announced season in adjacent federal waters. Maintaining consistent state and federal recreational seasons for Gulf greater amberjack is intended to prevent quota overages and help ensure the stock continues to rebuild. If you plan to fish for greater amberjack or other specific reef fish species from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up for the State Reef Fish Angler Designation (annual renewal is required). As a State Reef Fish Angler, you could be selected to receive a mail survey component of the State Reef Fish Survey. Data from the State Reef Fish Survey is now being used for greater amberjack management, and through your participation, the data collected will be used to improve management and increased recreational fishing opportunities in Florida. To learn more about the State Reef Fish Survey, visit MyFWC.com/SRFS. For current recreational greater amberjack regulations, visit https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/amberjack/

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merican shad will now be designated catch-and-release only a!er the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to approve a proposed final rule during its August meeting. According to FWC, the decision aims to ensure the sustainability of American shad stocks in Florida waters. American shad are a migratory species found along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Newfoundland to Florida, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. #ey are born in freshwater, grow up over the course of four years in the saltwater of the Atlantic Ocean, then return to freshwater ecosystems to lay their eggs and end their life cycle. In Florida, American shad are found primarily in the St. Johns River, where abundance continues to decline. FWC sta$ worked with stakeholders to gather feedback on the proposed final rule and received broad support for a catch-and-release-only fishery. #is approved rule prohibits the harvest, possession, sale, and exchange of American shad in Florida. To learn more about American shad, visit myfwc.com/americanshad.

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uring its August meeting in Panama City Beach, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced harvest levels for the upcoming Oct. Apalachicola Bay oyster season and discussed the development of future management and restoration initiatives across Florida’s Big Bend. #e season begins Oct. 1, 2026, and will continue through Feb. 28, 2027, for endorsed commercial and permitted recreational harvesters. During this season, harvesting in Apalachicola Bay will be allowed at three reef sites, NWFW Cat Point, Cat Point Spur and Peanut Ridge, with a total annual harvest limit of 2,560 bags. FWC sets harvest levels for each season based upon oyster abundance. “We’ve opened a fishery that has been closed for six years and now we have it in a restored fashion where people are able to get back on the water, this is a huge success,” said Vice Chairman Joshua Kellam. In the Big Bend, oyster populations have experienced long-term declines, and harvest regulations no longer reflect the current condition of the resource. As a result, FWC sta$ are developing updates to oyster harvesting regulations specific to the Big Bend. Public workshops will be held throughout the summer and fall to gather public input and comments. In addition to these proposed regulatory updates, sta$ are initiating restoration e$orts in Dixie, Levy, and Citrus counties to support the longterm recovery and sustainability of oyster populations. For more information on commercial oyster harvest regulations, visit https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/commercial/oysters/. For more information on recreational oyster harvest regulations, visit https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/shellfish/

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Fishing the Wild Waters of

Cay Sal Bank By A. deGruchy

ur Cay Sal trip started at Cat Cay, just south of Bimini, where we checked into the Bahamas before heading south in a 47foot Freeman. Once you leave Bimini behind, the water keeps getting better. Cay Sal Bank is remote, beautiful and surrounded by the kind of bright blue tropical water that makes you want to stop the boat and jump in. The fishing was just as good as the scenery. We fished everything from shallow reefs in about 50 feet of water to deep drops reaching nearly 1,500 feet. On the reef, we caught yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, rock hinds and several other types of grouper. You never really knew what was going to eat next, which kept things fun. Our main setup was Penn International VISX reels paired with custom Connolly rods. We mostly used chicken rigs baited with squid. We also used a ton of virtual jigs. The deep water was one of the coolest parts of the trip. Dropping a bait more than 1,000 feet takes some patience, but it is always exciting when the rod finally loads up. We caught mystic grouper, yelloweye snapper and queen snapper. Watching one of those bright red deepwater fish come into view after a long fight never gets old. We also found tuna and mahi while moving between spots and fishing along the deeper edges of the bank. Out there, you always have to keep an eye out for birds, current lines or floating debris because the action can happen fast. Cay Sal is not only about fishing. We spent time snorkeling, exploring

the reefs and checking out the area’s historic lighthouses. The water was incredibly clear, and it was great to take a break from fishing and see everything below the surface. The lighthouses also give the trip a little bit of history. Being that far from land, surrounded by reefs and open water, really makes you appreciate how wild and remote the area is. A trip like this takes planning. Cay Sal is a long way from help, so having a capable boat, experienced crew, plenty of fuel, reliable navigation and the right safety equipment is important. The 47-foot Freeman gave us the speed, range and room we needed to explore comfortably. Between the reef fishing, deep dropping, tuna, mahi, snorkeling and tropical scenery, Cay Sal delivered a little bit of everything. It is the kind of place where every stop feels like a new adventure, and you never know what might come up on the next drop. Follow all of deGruchy’s adventures at @bean_sportfishing on Instagram and YouTube.

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The September Season of Change TIM BAREFOOT

T NORTH CAROLINA’S TWO-WEEK RECREATIONAL FLOUNDER SEASON OPENS SEPTEMBER 1

orth Carolina anglers will get a short window to target flounder this fall when the state’s 2026 recreational harvest season opens September 1. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will open the 2026 recreational flounder harvest season from September 1 through September 14 in Inland Fishing Waters and Joint Fishing Waters. Anglers may harvest flounder by hook and line during the two-week season. The regulations allow anglers to keep one flounder per day, with a minimum size limit of 15 inches. The limited season is part of North Carolina’s ongoing effort to carefully manage its flounder fishery while still providing recreational anglers with an opportunity to harvest the popular coastal species. The season and regulations are consistent with the state’s flounder fishery management measures. Anglers should be aware that the season applies specifically to the waters and fishing methods covered by the Wildlife Commission’s regulations. With only two weeks available, anglers hoping to put flounder in the cooler will want to plan ahead. As always, checking the latest regulations before heading out is recommended, particularly for anglers fishing waters where jurisdiction can change. For North Carolina’s flounder fishermen, September 1 marks the beginning of a short but highly anticipated opportunity to get back after one of the state’s most popular coastal game fish. Visit https://www.ncwildlife.gov/fishing to learn more.

he middle to end of September is when we should start getting our first good cold fronts. This will start to change the surface temperature and begin the mass migration of cigar minnows and sardines to the traditional nearshore spawning grounds. This will trigger the migration of a lot of the pelagic and bottom fish that are following these huge schools of bait. September is also the height of hurricane season, which can change things drastically, but we always work around that. Hopefully it will be like last year with a minimal amount of hurricanes. Of course we are hoping for zero hurricanes, but we’ll see what happens. September is always the month of surprises with wahoo and yellow tuna very close to the beach in and around big schools of bait. This is also the time of year when the bottom fishing starts to kick into gear. You can expect the best snapper fishing of the year for the next couple months, and certainly the grouper action is just starting to take off. Some of the best scamp bites I’ve ever been on have been in September. I understand that it takes precious time away from the fishing day, but I would strongly suggest spending the first hour or more catching live cigar minnows and sardines. Certainly, I always take two boxes of frozen cigar minnows in case “Plan A” doesn’t work out. Yes they will eat frozen cigars, however, a live one is an instant bite they cannot deny. If you have at least two people on the Sabiki and you get into decent schools of minnows, you will quickly put 100 baits in a live-well in an hour. This will definitely pay dividends. September is also the time of year to go to the edge to bottom fish and keep someone specifically in charge of the light line. Depending on the current, you may not need a float, but if there is not much current, a float tackle is always a good idea. Again, don’t be surprised if there’s not a wahoo bite on the light line. Blackfin and dolphin are given the light line and if they don’t want frozen cigar minnows, a whole squid is an excellent choice. Dolphin simply cannot swim by a whole (frozen) squid on the light line. The bottom line is this…bag all the trolling and go sit on some pretty bottom. Put some baits out on the light line behind a boat and let the fish come to you. Cut off the motors and the radio and listen to the beauty of the ocean and reels screaming. Sound travels long distances underwater, and the fish are very much aware of you if you’re making a bunch of noise, so don’t slam cooler lids or stomp around the deck, and don’t have the music rumbling. Make sure that everyone on board has good raincoat. Please take your children fishing and take plenty of photos and videos they will remember forever. Check out my website for our new 16 ounce Octopus Decoy Jig. To learn more tips and techniques from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com and his YouTube channel: @timbarefoot5698.

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CAPITALIZING On the Summer-to-Fall Transition T

By Pro Bass Angler Joey Bloom

he transition from summer into fall is a great time of the year to chase bass. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. A lot of anglers assume bass immediately flood the backs of creeks as soon as the calendar says fall, but that’s rarely the case. What really gets the transition rolling is a combination of shorter days, cooling water temperatures, and one of the biggest factors of all— heavy rainfall. After weeks of hot, stable summer conditions, a good stretch of rain can completely change a lake overnight. Rising water levels flood fresh cover, increase current, and wash nutrients into the system. That fresh influx of water attracts baitfish, and wherever the bait goes, the bass aren’t far behind. One of the first places I look after heavy rains is newly flooded shoreline cover. Bushes, grass lines, willow trees, laydowns and isolated wood suddenly become prime ambush points. Bass move shallow because they now have fresh cover to hide in and an endless buffet of bluegill, shad, crawfish and other forage moving into these areas. My approach during this transition is to cover water until I locate active fish. That’s where the Bait Cave Customs Bloom Shad really shines. Its realistic baitfish profile perfectly imitates the young-of-the-year shad that become abundant this

time of year. Whether I’m rigging it on a Big Daddy Baits jighead, fishing it weightless around flooded cover, or using it as a trailer on a vibrating jig, the Bloom Shad consistently produces bites from bass feeding on roaming schools of bait. As I narrow down productive areas, I slow my presentation with one of my favorite confidence baits—the Bait Cave Customs Zora. This versatile soft plastic urchin style bait is the hottest bait craze on the water anywhere. During the summer-tofall transition, bass often position around the first available piece of cover just outside spawning flats or creek channels before making a full migration into the backs of creeks. The Zora allows me to thoroughly pick apart those high-percentage areas. Another overlooked factor after heavy rains is water color. While many anglers avoid stained or muddy water, I actually embrace it. Bass become more comfortable moving shallow in reduced visibility, allowing anglers to get much closer without spooking them. I simply adjust my bait colors to match the conditions—natural shad colors in cleaner water and darker, high-contrast colors when visibility is limited. Current also becomes a major player. Water flowing through creek channels, around bridge crossings, or across points positions bass in predictable feeding locations. Even subtle current can turn an average stretch of bank into a feeding

frenzy, so always pay attention to where the water is moving. The key during the summer-to-fall transition is staying flexible. Bass are constantly relocating, and conditions can change daily. Keep an eye on rising water levels, follow the bait, and don’t be afraid to fish newly flooded cover that wasn’t in the water just days before. For me, having confidence in proven baits like the Bait Cave Customs Bloom Shad and the Zora makes adapting to changing conditions much easier. When heavy rains begin to raise the lake and fall starts knocking on the door, that’s when some of the biggest bass of the season become catchable. Stay mobile, trust what the conditions are telling you, and you’ll be ready to capitalize on one of the most exciting transitions of the year. Follow Joey Bloom on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.

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