Bulldog Fishin Charters Florida Nature Coast report
Capt. Keith Tomlinson
September 23, 2009
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
October is almost here which marks the start of my favorite time of year to fish the flats and backcountry of this area of the Nature Coast. The weather is beautiful and there is a cooling trend in the gulf waters. This cooling trend means that bite will be fantastic and a variety of fish will be caught. Trout will be moving in from the deeper flats and will should take 1st place with red fish finishing a close second. Be ready for the occasional snook,cobia,jack crevalle,blue fish,lady fish,or shark to pull some drag. Target locations like the mouths of Fillmans Bayou,Hernando Beach spoil islands,or Higgenbotham creek at the beginning of a out going tide. When fishing locations like this I often cast to the deeper cuts near structure with good tidal flow or drift the grassy flats with spotty bottom.
October also means big schools of Spanish mackerel should arrive. look to find these guys in 3 - 12 foot of water. I often drift fish to locate mackerel and deploy a chum bag. Free lined shrimp on a 2/0 long shank hook or silver spoons are both successful techniques. A 4 - 6 inch light steel leader may be used to prevent cut offs by these toothy critters. Large schools of blue fish will often invade which can make for a lot of fun on light tackle. Blue fish fight hard and will hit any offering thrown to them. If you find yourself in a large school of blues, try a bright colored top water. These fish attack top water in a frenzy and will give anglers quite the aerial show.
Berkley GULP has been a very productive bait. Fish just can't seem to resist these scented baits. I prefer to use 3 colors - white,new penny, or nuclear chicken. A 3" shrimp or the paddle tail shad both produce a variety of fish. Work these baits slow at first but be ready to adjust your retrieval speed if necessary. How will I know when it's necessary - you ask. If the bite slows try something else. Even something subtle like working your lure faster or slower can make the difference. Sometimes the color of the lure is not the problem, it's the presentation!
Good luck out there and tight lines!
Capt. Keith Tomlinson
Bulldog Fishin Charters
www.bulldogfishin.com
(352)238-3581
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