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VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 379 OCT 2026 F R A N C H I S E
O P P O R T U N I T I E S
A V A I L A B L 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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October's Opportunities
By: Capt. Greg Poland
O
ctober is one of my favorite times of year to be on the water in the Florida Keys. We are finally starting to get a little break from the heat of summer, and once the first cooler weather starts pushing through, you can really feel the change in the fishing. The fall bait run is getting underway, and when the bait starts moving, everything with teeth seems to show up. The Everglades and Florida Bay are where I like to spend a lot of my time this time of year. The snook fishing has been good, and we are starting to see more redfish mixed in along the shorelines, islands and creek mouths. Juvenile tarpon are another great option, and when you find them feeding on schools of bait, it can be pretty exciting watching them come crashing through. I like to keep several different rods ready because you never really know what is going to eat next. One rod will usually have live bait under a cork, another will have a live bait fished closer to the bottom, and I'll keep a third rod rigged with a jig head and soft plastic so we can cover some water while the live baits are doing their thing. A 12-15-pound spinning rod with a good fluorocarbon leader is plenty of fun when a snook decides to eat. If you spend enough time fishing the Glades, eventually the tax man is going to show up – sharks! When the sharks figure out what you're doing, you better be ready to get that fish to the boat fast as they can turn a good snook or tarpon into lunch pretty quickly. If I have a young angler on the boat who wants to pull on something big, I'm always looking for a way to make it happen. There is just something about watching a kid's face when a big fish starts taking line that never gets old. The Atlantic side is starting to change as well. October can be a great transition month offshore, with mahi still around and blackfin tuna, kingfish and wahoo becoming more of a possibility as we move toward fall. I'm always keeping an eye out for birds, floating debris, weed lines and anything else that might hold bait. Reef fishing is another good option this time of year, especially when the wind doesn't cooperate for an offshore run. There are plenty of snapper and other reef species to keep the rods bent, and sometimes the best plan is simply to put some fresh bait in the water and see what shows up. For me, October is really about being flexible. If the weather is right, we can run offshore. If the wind picks up, we'll head into the backcountry. If the bait is thick in the Glades, we'll follow it and see what is feeding on it. If you're thinking about getting out on the water this fall, temperatures are more comfortable, crowds are lighter, and fish are transitioning into their fall patterns. — Visit Capt. Greg at 305.393.3327 or email gregpoland@icloud.com | Instagram: gregpoland Facebook: Fishing in the Florida Keys with Capt. Greg Poland COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
OCTOBER 2026
FLORIDA KEYS 1
Fantastic Fall By: Capt. Angelia Swanson
I
f you planned your Florida Keys adventure this month, you planned right! The Mahi are still coming in nicely and bigger than in the past few years. We knew it would be a good season when there was a sixty plus pound monster that came in very early in the season. Not only did the mahi start coming in earlier this spring, they continue to come in bigger than the past few years. If you are targeting mahi, look for weed lines, large weed patches, current edges, and birds. Keep plenty of chunk bait on hand and a few pitch rods ready, because when you get into these beautiful fish they tend to go into a feeding frenzy and you may get to experience one of the most exciting moments in fishing. Their bright colors and aerial feats will leave you with adrenaline for days! If you are looking for bigger sport fish, the wahoo are here. One of the best fighting fish with brilliant lit up stripes, Wahoo are my absolute favorite fish to catch. With razor sharp teeth (be careful!) and an extremely soft pallet, wire leaders and not tightening down the drag are imperative measures to take. Their teeth will cut through a mono leader with ease and if you tighten that drag too much, you will almost surely pull the hook. Let these athletes run and then let them run some more. A tired wahoo is a good wahoo, and much safer when it hits the deck. The reef is also abuzz this time of year. Yellowtail snapper are abundant in the Keys year-round and pretty easy to catch with plenty of chum and a simple jig. Light gear makes them very fun and they’re a great choice to put meat on the table. Even more exciting in my opinion are the larger snapper like mutton. They move inshore with cooler waters, are amazing fighters, and fantastic table fare. Use live bait on the reef and get your bait to the bottom is best, although I’ve caught plenty on cut ballyhoo as well. For all of the flats anglers out there, cooler conditions this time of year
2 FLORIDA KEYS
OCTOBER 2026
have made the flats increasingly attractive to fish for the likes of tarpon and bonefish. Last but certainly not least, don’t forget about the lobster! This month is phenomenal for lobstering, and with smaller crowds of people on the water and the water temperature still pleasant, this is prime time to target these delectable shellfish. It’s also quite fun sport diving for them, and with a formidable diving partner, you should be able to find dinner easily. As with everything on the water, make sure you have all of your proper fishing permits and are following all of the FWC guidelines. If you don’t have your own boat, get in touch with me and I’ll help you plan your next Keys fishing excursion!
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ST A CLICK U J AW FROM 'U R E
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33000 Overseas Hwy. Big Pine Key, FL 33043 COVECOMMUNITIES.COM
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Transitional Times By: Capt. Bruce Andersen
O
ctober is one of my favorite months to fish in the Florida Keys. After a long, hot summer, it is always nice to feel the first cooler temperatures of fall. But October is about more than just getting a break from the heat. It is truly one of the biggest transitional times of the year for fishing, and even small changes in the weather can make a big difference in what we find offshore. The timing and strength of the first cold fronts of the season really dictate how quickly our fishing changes. If we have mild weather early in the month, we can see the offshore fishing in the gulf stream for mahi mahi and tuna continue for quite a while. On the other hand, a couple of moderate cold fronts can change things in a hurry. As the water temperatures begin to drop, we start seeing more sailfish showing up just outside the reef. This area can also become loaded with bait, which brings in kingfish, tuna and wahoo. When all of these fish move into the same area, it can make for some very exciting Fishing! The cold fronts also signal the beginning of some excellent reef and bottom fishing. As the water cools, snapper and grouper become great targets, and some days we will mix up our fishing by spending part of the day on the reef and part of the day offshore. It is one of the things I really enjoy about October, you can have a taste of summer fishing and winter fishing on the very same trip!
Big Pine Key 31251 Ave A, Big Pine Key, FL 33043 Marathon 5550 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Florida 33050 Looe Key Tiki Bar 27340 Overseas Highway, Ramrod Key, FL 33042 Key West Sunrise Suites Resort 3685 Seaside Dr, Key West, Florida 33040 4 FLORIDA KEYS
OCTOBER 2026
One of the things that makes this time of year so exciting in the Florida Keys is never quite knowing what the next weather system will bring. A few days of warm, settled weather can have us running offshore in search of hard-charging mahi-mahi and tuna. Then, with the arrival of a strong cold front, the game can change almost overnight. Sailfish, wahoo and kingfish move into the picture, while cooler conditions can also set the stage for some of the best reef fishing of the season. For anglers, that changing weather is all part of the appeal, and you never know what might be waiting at the end of the next run offshore. After sweating through the long summer months, the cooler October weather is certainly welcome. But for me, it is the changing fishing that makes this month so special. There is always something happening, and you never know what you might find when you head offshore. If you would like to experience October fishing in the Florida Keys, I invite you to come aboard the Captain Easy and spend a day on the water with me. — www.captaineasycharters.com | You can reach Captain Bruce Andersen at Capt. Easy Charters, MM 85, call 305.360.2120 or email at: captbrucekey@comcast.net
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FISHIN’ HOLES By: Capt. Joel Brandenburg
C
atching mutton snapper in the Florida Keys is a rewarding experience for anglers, as these colorful and hard-fighting fish are prized for both their sport and table quality. Mastering the techniques to consistently land them requires understanding their behavior, preferred habitats, and seasonal patterns. Mutton snapper are commonly found around reefs, wrecks, and sandy-bottom areas with scattered structure. They are most abundant in waters from 30 to 120 feet deep, though larger specimens are often caught on deeper offshore reefs or along the edges of channels. The best time to target them is during their spawning season in late spring and early summer, especially around the full moon, when schools of big muttons gather in predictable areas. One of the most effective techniques for catching mutton snapper is anchoring up-current of a productive reef or wreck and deploying a steady chum slick. While muttons are generally cautious, a lightly scented chum line can draw them in without making them overly aggressive like yellowtail snapper. Free-lining live baits, such as pilchards or small pinfish, is a classic method. Using light fluorocarbon leaders, typically 20-30-pound test, helps avoid spooking these wary fish. Circle hooks are preferred because they increase hook-up ratios and reduce gut-hooking. Drift fishing is another productive approach, especially over sandy patches near reefs or along channel edges. By drifting live or cut bait just off the bottom, anglers can effectively cover more territory and locate scattered fish. Weight selection is critical, just enough should be used to keep the bait near the bottom without snagging. Mutton snapper often strike with a sub-
tle tap before making a strong run, so maintaining sensitivity and keeping the drag set properly is essential. Jigging has grown in popularity for targeting mutton snapper, particularly in deeper water. Vertical jigs or slow-pitch jigs tipped with a strip of bait can be irresistible to larger fish. The key is to maintain contact with the bottom and work the jig with a slow, deliberate motion. Many experienced anglers combine jigging with drift fishing to cover more ground and By combining knowledge of entice bigger, solitary muttons. seasonal movements, careful Understanding tides and currents is a major factor in success. presentation of baits, and strategic Mutton snapper feed most activeuse of chum and drift methods, ly when the current is moving, as it delivers prey and stirs up the anglers can consistently connect... bottom. Slack tides often result in slower bites. Planning trips around favorable tide stages, particularly early morning or late afternoon, can make the difference between a slow day and a productive one. Boat positioning is equally important. When anchoring, set up so your baits drift naturally into the target zone without excessive weight or unnatural movement. If conditions are calm and clear, long leaders, sometimes up to 30 feet, may be necessary. Patience and stealth are important, as mutton snapper are known for their sharp eyesight and wary nature. Finally, tackle selection should balance stealth and strength. Medium spinning or conventional outfits spooled with 20- to 30-pound braided line provide excellent sensitivity and the ability to handle larger fish in current. Fluorocarbon leaders and sharp, appropriately sized hooks are essential. Maintaining quiet onboard and minimizing sudden movements can also improve results, especially in shallower waters. By combining knowledge of seasonal movements, careful presentation of baits, and strategic use of chum and drift methods, anglers can consistently connect with mutton snapper in the Florida Keys. Whether free-lining live bait on a reef edge or drifting a jig over a deep wreck, the challenge and reward of landing these prized fish make the pursuit worthwhile. — For a charter with Capt. Joel Brandenburg of Ana Banana Fishing Company, visit www.marathonkeysfishingcharters.com or call 813-267-4401 Cell or 305-395-4212 office or visit us in person at Poncho's fuel dock and Marina located at 1280 Oceanview Ave. Marathon, Florida Keys.
6 FLORIDA KEYS
OCTOBER 2026
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FLORIDA KEYS 7
TIDE CHART KEY LARGO
www.USHarbors.com
OCTOBER Key Largo, South Sound, FL - Oct 2026 2026 High
Date
TIDE CHART ISLAMORADA
www.USHarbors.com
Islamorada, Florida Bay, FLOCTOBER - Oct 2026 2026
Low
High
Date
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Thu
1:34
0.9
3:20
0.5
9:58
0.1
8:53
0.4
7:14
7:09
2
Fri
2:25
0.9
4:37
0.5
11:09
0.1
9:43
0.4
7:15
7:08
3
Sat
3:31
0.8
6:12
0.5
12:28
0.2
7:15
7:07
7:05
4
Sun
4:56
0.8
7:28
0.5
1:47
0.2
7:15
7:06
7:15
7:04
5
Mon
6:29
0.8
8:17
0.6
12:41
0.4
2:52
0.2
7:16
7:05
0.3
7:15
7:03
6
Tue
7:48
0.8
8:55
0.6
2:11
0.4
3:43
0.2
7:16
7:04
2:19
0.3
7:16
7:02
7
Wed
8:53
0.8
9:29
0.7
3:23
0.3
4:24
0.3
7:17
7:03
0.2
3:09
0.3
7:16
7:01
8
Thu
9:48
0.8
10:01
0.8
4:23
0.3
4:59
0.3
7:17
7:02
3:29
0.2
3:55
0.3
7:17
7:00
9
Fri
10:37
0.8
10:32
0.8
5:14
0.2
5:32
0.3
7:18
7:01
2.0
4:12
0.1
4:37
0.3
7:17
6:59
10
Sat
11:21
0.8
11:02
0.9
6:00
0.1
6:04
0.3
7:18
7:00
10:14
2.0
4:52
0.1
5:18
0.3
7:18
6:58
11
Sun
12:02
0.7
6:43
0.1
6:35
0.3
7:18
6:59
2.1
10:51
1.9
5:32
0.1
5:58
0.4
7:18
6:57
12
Mon
12:41
0.7
7:25
0.1
7:05
0.3
7:19
6:58
2.0
11:29
1.8
6:11
0.2
6:37
0.5
7:19
6:56
13
Tue
12:04
0.9
1:20
0.6
8:06
0.1
7:34
0.3
7:19
6:57
12:06
1.9
6:50
0.3
7:17
0.6
7:19
6:55
14
Wed
12:38
0.9
1:59
0.6
8:50
0.1
8:02
0.4
7:20
6:56
1.8
12:47
1.8
7:31
0.4
7:59
0.7
7:20
6:54
15
Thu
1:14
0.8
2:43
0.5
9:38
0.2
8:29
0.4
7:20
6:55
12:48
1.7
1:32
1.7
8:16
0.5
8:47
0.7
7:20
6:53
16
Fri
1:54
0.8
3:37
0.5
10:33
0.2
8:56
0.4
7:21
6:54
Sat
1:34
1.6
2:23
1.7
9:07
0.6
9:45
0.8
7:21
6:52
17
Sat
2:42
0.8
4:53
0.5
11:39
0.2
9:37
0.5
7:21
6:53
18
Sun
2:29
1.6
3:19
1.6
10:06
0.6
10:49
0.8
7:21
6:52
18
Sun
3:40
0.7
6:28
0.5
12:48
0.3
7:22
6:53
19
Mon
3:31
1.6
4:17
1.6
11:10
0.6
11:51
0.7
7:22
6:51
19
Mon
4:55
0.7
7:24
0.5
1:50
0.3
7:22
6:52
20
Tue
4:36
1.6
5:13
1.7
12:10
0.6
7:22
6:50
20
Tue
6:15
0.7
7:56
0.6
1:14
0.5
2:40
0.3
7:23
6:51
21
Wed
5:37
1.7
6:04
1.7
12:44
0.6
1:04
0.6
7:23
6:49
21
Wed
7:26
0.7
8:24
0.7
2:26
0.4
3:20
0.3
7:23
6:50
22
Thu
6:32
1.8
6:52
1.8
1:30
0.5
1:52
0.5
7:23
6:48
22
Thu
8:25
0.7
8:52
0.7
3:22
0.4
3:54
0.3
7:24
6:49
23
Fri
7:23
1.9
7:36
1.9
2:13
0.4
2:37
0.4
7:24
6:47
23
Fri
9:18
0.8
9:21
0.8
4:10
0.3
4:25
0.3
7:24
6:48
24
Sat
8:10
2.0
8:19
1.9
2:54
0.2
3:21
0.4
7:24
6:46
24
Sat
10:07
0.7
9:52
0.8
4:54
0.2
4:56
0.3
7:25
6:48
25
Sun
8:56
2.1
9:03
2.0
3:35
0.1
4:04
0.3
7:25
6:46
25
Sun
10:56
0.7
10:25
0.9
5:37
0.1
5:27
0.3
7:25
6:47
26
Mon
9:42
2.2
9:47
2.0
4:18
0.0
4:48
0.3
7:25
6:45
26
Mon
11:44
0.7
11:02
0.9
6:21
0.0
5:59
0.3
7:26
6:46
27
Tue
10:30
2.2
10:34
2.0
5:03
0.0
5:34
0.3
7:26
6:44
27
Tue
12:33
0.6
7:07
0.0
6:34
0.3
7:27
6:45
28
Wed
11:19
2.2
11:23
2.0
5:50
0.0
6:22
0.4
7:26
6:43
28
Wed
1:24
0.6
7:56
0.0
7:10
0.3
7:27
6:44
29
Thu
12:11
2.1
6:41
0.0
7:15
0.4
7:27
6:43
29
Thu
12:28
0.9
2:18
0.5
8:50
0.0
7:50
0.3
7:28
6:44
30
Fri
12:17
1.9
1:07
2.0
7:37
0.1
8:13
0.5
7:28
6:42
30
Fri
1:20
0.9
3:17
0.5
9:50
0.0
8:39
0.3
7:28
6:43
31
Sat
1:16
1.9
2:06
1.9
8:39
0.2
9:20
0.5
7:28
6:41
31
Sat
2:18
0.9
4:25
0.5
10:58
0.1
9:44
0.4
7:29
6:42
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Thu
12:29
1.9
1:20
2.0
7:49
0.2
8:23
0.5
7:13
7:08
1
2
Fri
1:24
1.8
2:20
1.9
8:50
0.2
9:27
0.6
7:14
7:07
3
Sat
2:28
1.8
3:26
1.8
9:58
0.3
10:40
0.6
7:14
7:06
4
Sun
3:39
1.8
4:35
1.8
11:12
0.3
11:52
0.6
7:15
5
Mon
4:53
1.8
5:40
1.9
12:22
0.3
6
Tue
6:02
1.9
6:37
1.9
12:57
0.5
1:24
7
Wed
7:02
2.0
7:28
2.0
1:53
0.3
8
Thu
7:55
2.1
8:14
2.0
2:43
9
Fri
8:43
2.1
8:56
2.0
10
Sat
9:27
2.1
9:36
11
Sun
10:08
2.1
12
Mon
10:47
13
Tue
11:26
14
Wed
15
Thu
12:07
16
Fri
17
1
Moon
SNORKEL SNORKEL * ** SANDBAR SANDBAR SANDBAR ** * SUNSET SUNSET SUNSET ** * FISHING CHARTERS FISHINGCHARTERS CHARTERS FISHING
Trips daily. Two Convenient locations Trips TwoConvenient Convenient locations Trips daily. locations indaily. theTwo heart of Islamorada!
in the heartofofIslamorada! Islamorada! in the heart Call: 305-747-8651
Call: 305-747-8651 book online: clearlyuniquecharters.com Call: 305-747-8651
book online: clearlyuniquecharters.com book online: clearlyuniquecharters.com 8 FLORIDA KEYS
OCTOBER 2026
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Moon
TIDE CHART
KEY COLONY BEACH www.USHarbors.com
2026 Key Colony Beach, FL - OctOCTOBER 2026 High
Date
TIDE CHART KEY WEST
Low
High
Date
www.USHarbors.com
OCTOBER 2026
Key West, FL - Oct 2026
Low
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Thu
12:55
2.4
2:41
1.4
7:51
0.2
6:46
1.0
7:19
7:14
2
Fri
1:46
2.4
3:58
1.3
9:02
0.3
7:36
1.0
7:19
7:13
3
Sat
2:52
2.3
5:33
1.3
10:21
0.4
8:54
1.1
7:19
7:12
7:08
4
Sun
4:17
2.2
6:49
1.4
11:40
0.5
10:34
1.1
7:20
7:11
7:17
7:07
5
Mon
5:50
2.2
7:38
1.5
12:45
0.6
7:20
7:10
0.6
7:18
7:06
6
Tue
7:09
2.2
8:16
1.7
12:04
1.0
1:36
0.6
7:21
7:09
1:17
0.6
7:18
7:05
7
Wed
8:14
2.3
8:50
1.9
1:16
0.9
2:17
0.7
7:21
7:08
0.6
1:59
0.6
7:19
7:04
8
Thu
9:09
2.3
9:22
2.1
2:16
0.7
2:52
0.7
7:21
7:07
2:18
0.4
2:37
0.7
7:19
7:03
9
Fri
9:58
2.2
9:53
2.2
3:07
0.5
3:25
0.8
7:22
7:06
2.7
3:04
0.3
3:14
0.7
7:19
7:02
10
Sat
10:42
2.1
10:23
2.3
3:53
0.4
3:57
0.8
7:22
7:05
10:00
2.7
3:47
0.2
3:50
0.8
7:20
7:01
11
Sun
11:23
2.0
10:54
2.4
4:36
0.3
4:28
0.9
7:23
7:04
2.3
10:35
2.6
4:29
0.2
4:25
0.8
7:20
7:00
12
Mon
12:02
1.8
5:18
0.3
4:58
0.9
7:23
7:03
2.1
11:12
2.6
5:10
0.3
5:00
0.9
7:21
6:59
13
Tue
12:41
1.7
5:59
0.3
5:27
0.9
7:24
7:02
Wed
12:09
2.0
5:52
0.4
5:36
0.9
7:21
6:58
14
Wed
1:20
1.5
6:43
0.3
5:55
1.0
7:24
7:01
15
Thu
12:52
1.9
6:37
0.5
6:13
1.0
7:22
6:57
15
Thu
12:35
2.2
2:04
1.4
7:31
0.4
6:22
1.1
7:25
7:00
16
Fri
12:36
2.4
1:40
1.7
7:27
0.6
6:56
1.1
7:22
6:56
16
Fri
1:15
2.1
2:58
1.3
8:26
0.5
6:49
1.1
7:25
6:59
17
Sat
1:27
2.3
2:37
1.7
8:25
0.8
7:52
1.2
7:23
6:55
17
Sat
2:03
2.1
4:14
1.3
9:32
0.6
7:30
1.2
7:26
6:58
18
Sun
2:25
2.2
3:41
1.7
9:29
0.8
9:04
1.2
7:23
6:54
18
Sun
3:01
2.0
5:49
1.3
10:41
0.7
9:21
1.3
7:26
6:57
19
Mon
3:31
2.2
4:46
1.8
10:32
0.9
10:19
1.2
7:24
6:53
19
Mon
4:16
1.9
6:45
1.5
11:43
0.8
11:07
1.3
7:27
6:57
20
Tue
4:40
2.2
5:41
1.9
11:25
0.9
11:24
1.1
7:24
6:53
20
Tue
5:36
1.9
7:17
1.6
12:33
0.8
7:27
6:56
21
Wed
5:43
2.2
6:26
2.1
12:09
0.8
7:25
6:52
21
Wed
6:47
2.0
7:45
1.8
12:19
1.1
1:13
0.8
7:28
6:55
22
Thu
6:41
2.3
7:05
2.3
12:18
0.9
12:48
0.8
7:25
6:51
22
Thu
7:46
2.0
8:13
1.9
1:15
1.0
1:47
0.8
7:28
6:54
23
Fri
7:32
2.4
7:41
2.4
1:06
0.7
1:26
0.8
7:26
6:50
23
Fri
8:39
2.0
8:42
2.1
2:03
0.7
2:18
0.8
7:29
6:53
24
Sat
8:21
2.4
8:17
2.6
1:51
0.4
2:03
0.7
7:26
6:49
24
Sat
9:28
2.0
9:13
2.2
2:47
0.5
2:49
0.8
7:29
6:52
25
Sun
9:08
2.4
8:55
2.7
2:36
0.2
2:41
0.7
7:27
6:48
25
Sun
10:17
2.0
9:46
2.4
3:30
0.3
3:20
0.8
7:30
6:52
26
Mon
9:54
2.3
9:34
2.8
3:21
0.0
3:20
0.7
7:27
6:48
26
Mon
11:05
1.8
10:23
2.5
4:14
0.1
3:52
0.8
7:30
6:51
27
Tue
10:41
2.2
10:17
2.8
4:08
-0.1
4:01
0.7
7:28
6:47
27
Tue
11:54
1.7
11:04
2.5
5:00
0.0
4:27
0.8
7:31
6:50
28
Wed
11:30
2.1
11:04
2.8
4:57
-0.1
4:44
0.7
7:28
6:46
28
Wed
12:45
1.6
5:49
-0.1
5:03
0.9
7:31
6:49
29
Thu
12:21
2.0
5:50
0.0
5:32
0.8
7:29
6:46
29
Thu
1:39
1.4
6:43
0.0
5:43
0.9
7:32
6:49
30
Fri
1:17
1.9
6:47
0.1
6:26
0.9
7:30
6:45
30
Fri
12:41
2.5
2:38
1.3
7:43
0.1
6:32
0.9
7:32
6:48
31
Sat
2:18
1.8
7:49
0.3
7:31
0.9
7:30
6:44
31
Sat
1:39
2.4
3:46
1.3
8:51
0.3
7:37
1.0
7:33
6:47
AM
ft
PM
ft
AM
ft
PM
ft
Rise
Set
Thu
12:08
2.7
1:25
1.9
6:57
0.2
6:37
0.9
7:16
7:11
1
2
Fri
1:02
2.6
2:28
1.7
8:00
0.3
7:35
1.0
7:16
7:10
3
Sat
2:06
2.5
3:43
1.7
9:12
0.4
8:48
1.0
7:16
7:09
4
Sun
3:23
2.5
5:01
1.7
10:26
0.5
10:09
1.0
7:17
5
Mon
4:45
2.5
6:08
1.9
11:33
0.6
11:25
0.9
6
Tue
6:02
2.5
6:59
2.1
12:30
7
Wed
7:08
2.5
7:41
2.3
12:31
0.8
8
Thu
8:03
2.6
8:18
2.5
1:28
9
Fri
8:51
2.5
8:52
2.6
10
Sat
9:34
2.5
9:26
11
Sun
10:14
2.4
12
Mon
10:52
13
Tue
11:30
14
1
12:55
2.7
Moon
Moon
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FLORIDA KEYS 9
The Legacy of the Aluminum Hull By: Jessica Hendrie
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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FLORIDA KEYS 11
Go When You Get A Chance By Joe Sheaffer
A
s we move out of Summer and into the Fall season, the redfish will start showing up in schools. They will start moving towards the bays and creeks and should be a little easier to find. Most 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 You never know what may hasn’t been very productive. lie ahead. Everyday has its When I walked out to the surf, I didn’t feel much better possibilities, I encourage you to about my chances. Flat calm, sugo when you get a chance, it just per low tide and it was very muggy. The one positive I noticed was might be a great day. 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.
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FLORIDA KEYS 13
LOBSTERS, SWORDS, ICAST & ONE HECK OF A SUMMER teele By Beth S
I
f there’s one thing this summer proved, it’s that I really don’t know how to sit still. We kicked things off with mini lobster season and one goal. LIMIT OUT. Thankfully, we did just that. Good friends, early mornings, lots of laughs and a cooler full of lobster. You really can’t ask for much more, and apparently lobster weren’t enough because that same week I caught three swordfish. We released two and kept one for dinner. Not a bad week on the water! Swordfishing will definitely test your patience, but the second that rod goes off, everyone on the boat comes alive. It’s one of my favorite kinds of fishing and even better when you’re doing it with great captains and friends. Honestly, some of the best memories have nothing to do with the fish. It’s the people, the ridiculous conversations, rough seas, late nights, early mornings and stories that somehow get better every time we tell them. This past July brought ICAST, which is basically Christmas for anyone who loves fishing. New gear, boats, tackle and plenty of things I suddenly decided I “needed.” But the best part was catching up with so many captains, friends and people who love being on the water as much as I do. Looking back, it’s been one heck of a summer. Lobsters, swords, ICAST, great friends and probably a few questionable decisions along the way. And as always, know the rules before you head out. Check current Florida and federal regulations, make sure you have the proper permits and know the reporting requirements for swordfish. Protecting the fishery means we all get to keep doing what we love for years to come. I’m already ready to do it all over again. Tight lines and see you offshore! And as always, here fishy fishy!
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FLORIDA KEYS 15
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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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VOLUME 30 • ISSUE 364 JULY 2025
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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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