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Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico
Capt. Dave Pinkham
September 21, 2004
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
Lots of Fishing Choices in September
September can offer up some great fishing as long as weather conditions allow. With the long hot days and warm nights the water of the Gulf of Mexico will reach its peak summer temperature. Because of this, the short bottom (inside of 50’ deep) will not produce as many big grouper as in the cooler months. But don’t worry because there’s plenty of other species swimming around to bend a rod on.
Spanish mackerel, little tunny, and big jack crevelle have been plentiful on the gulf all summer long. The M-Reefs have been holding bait which in turn has been attracting these gamefish. Trolling spoons and fishing live pilchards have both proven to be very productive fishing techniques.
Shark fishing should peak in September. Chumming the water with fish oil and cut baits should draw them to your anchored boat. Both live and cut baits will provoke hits so be sure to use both.
Snapper fishing for mangroves, lanes, yellow tails, and an occasional mutton snapper will be good this month. Best fishing holes will be over hard bottom, ledges, springs, and wrecks. Snapper can be somewhat finicky at times so it can be wise to use as light as gear as possible. For leaders consider using fluorocarbon as it is less visible to the fish. Night fishing over wrecks in the periods around the full moon when conditions are right can be very productive. I prefer natural baits such as crabs, shrimp, live shiners, and squid.
Red Grouper fishing and summertime fishing on the gulf are synonymous. These fat bottom dwellers can be the best way to put meat on the table at this time of year. Look for the larger reds out past 80’ deep. Depending on conditions, you can drift fish or anchor over them, it’s your choice. Just about any natural bait will work.
Gag grouper will be more difficult to locate this time of year, especially the keepers. More than likely you’ll need to run deeper to find the big ones. Gags tend to hang closer to structure such as wrecks, and ledges. Live baits will often entice gags to turn on especially in the heat of the day. Good stiff stand up tackle will help you to pull them clear of the structure.
Mahi (dolphin fish) fishing peaks in September on this coast. Best bet will to start looking for them no closer than 20 miles offshore. Be on the lookout for large masses of floating grass or any other flotsam. One way to fish for dolphin is to pull up along side the grass and sight cast to fish as they swim just below the surface. Live baits will often excite mahi into hitting.
As you see there is a lot of variety at this time of the year. Once you locate a good bite of fish please remember to handle those to be released carefully.
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