SEPTEMBER FISHING IN SW FLORIDA

Now is the time! Those looking for opportunities to catch big Redfish; now is the time! FWC opened Redfish for harvest this month on September 1st. the limit is one per person with a maximum of two Redfish per vessel with a slot size of 18-27 inches in length. Big ‘Bull-Reds’ will be here anytime this month and throughout October fattening up for their November-December migration back to the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. ‘Bull-Reds’ spend the cooler months of winter in deeper waters offshore, leaving the fry’s and smaller fish in our shallow estuaries. The ‘Bull-Reds’ will not likely not return until this same time next year. They won’t stay here much later than mid-to-late November, so now is the time for a ‘Redfish of a lifetime’.

These big fish are hungry and will eat artificial presentations as well as live and dead cut baits. I use artificial presentations from a variety of manufacturers such as; Mirr-O-Lure, Bomber and Rapala for top water, twitch and crank bait. I use Gulp and Zman for soft plastics, scented or unscented. Gold spoons are very effective. Some anglers have their favorites, but the truth of the matter is, they all will work. However, ‘tenacity’ is the most effective ‘lure’ on the market. Use live or cut presentations (large shrimp, cut Pinfish and Ladyfish) under a popping cork or on bottom for more bites compared to artificial lures.  Occasionally, I ‘like to free-line’ live Pilchards and Pinfish.

I like to fish on high tides for access to remote back country areas with Mangroves, oyster beds and widgeon grasses. Pictured here are a couple of the big Redfish caught by me and a friend of mine from Naples, Mr. Davis Hasson using live baits on a high tide in the back country. Good job Davis!

This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters LLC. Call me direct at 239-357-6829 or email me at [email protected] with any questions or to book and charter on my vessel or yours. I am available as ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel inshore and offshore (by the hour) for safety, navigation, fishing locations and techniques that insure your every outing is a success. More information may be obtained from my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Until the next report, I wish everyone safe boating and successful fishing.

by Captain Terry Fisher

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