Time change
Capt. Joel Gant
October 9, 2015
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
Time Change
I hope you remembered the time changed on November 1st. If not, now you know why you've been early to every thing the last few days. If you're like me, you can never be too early to go fishing. With the time change comes shorter days and cooler temperatures. What does this mean for my fellow "fishheads? "Better fishing!"
Offshore: Gag grouper are being caught all over my region in 10 to 60 feet of water. The stone crab traps are out which creates thousands of chum blocks on the gulfs bottom. I believe these traps draw the fish into these areas. Bottom dropping with live or frozen baits or trolling can be very productive for these hard fighting fish. Gag grouper regulations are: 2 per person, 24" to the fork. The red grouper season closed in Gulf federal waters from October 8th to December 31st. When your anchored and bottom fishing, put out a free lined bait as per the kingfish are starting to show up. There is also still some cobia around so keep an eye out for them. Grunts, seabass and hogfish can also be caught in these deeper spots.
Inshore: The inshore bite is really taking off. Look for the redfish just before or after the high tide. They can be found around shallow structure like oyster beds, grassy flats and mangrove shorelines. A tip: look for water being pushed or tailing reds. Again as I have said before, try to read the water. Use cut baits or shrimp under a strike indicator. Snook can also be found in the same areas as the redfish. With the cooler water, the trout are also moving into the shallows. I like to target them with a ¼ oz jig head with either a gulp shrimp or a soft plastic jerk bait.
Many times I've had people come up and ask me "what's the best lure to use?" Well, how often have you been in a bait shop or fishing department store looking at lures, you see one and think "this will catch fish!" Well most of the times it caught you (I'm guilty too). I‘ve found that the $15.00 lure doesn't catch many more fish than the $2.50 one I've been using for years. If a fish is hungry, most of the time a lure going by him will entice a strike. Not sure why I thought to write about this, I think it's because last trip a bluefish took one of those $15.00 lures and I'm still mad.
I'm always looking for reports and pictures. You can email me or stop by my website and become a "FISHHEAD".
Get out there on the water and make some memories with friends and family!
Capt. Joel Gant operates Fishdaddy Charters out of Hernando Beach, he knows the local waters like the back of his hand, and works both inshore and offshore trips. Check him out on face book or you can reach him at (352) 279-1615. Visit his website, www.fishdaddycharter.com
Hernando Beach Fishing Forecast:
Gag grouper, redfish
More Fishing Reports:
