Been a little difficult to give a report as we have had our share of weather related challenges for a while now. Super grateful we have not had the direct hits of the near entire west coast of Florida, but weeks of shoveling sea grass, sand, cutting branches, overfilling dumpsters, hauling boats, repairing docks and preparing for the next one have been pretty taxing. My heart goes out to those impacted by these storms and potentially the next one. Just part of modern weather and life in Florida. Having the second hottest year in human history; that heat energy has to go somewhere. I got the boat back in the water a few days ago after a few cycles of on/off of the trailer. Impressed to see such a major swing in water temperatures. Pre storms we were 86 ish and today I had 81 coming around the island. That is a major crash that will have lots of changes associated with it. We went from harsh summer to fall with a flip of the switch.

For fishing, I see all good things coming. When I can’t be on the water, I look to the sky. Often what is happening in the sky is similar to what is happening below the water. On my high definition radar I have been seeing huge migrations of birds heading South. I also see them at the dock too along with the fall mullet run and pilchards arriving in big schools. Nothing travels alone, so I’m sure the fish are coming to eat the bait too. Safe bet is the reef. I finished off last month with snapper on the smaller side, which is common for the September heat we had. We are ahead of the cooling pattern we had last year by 3 weeks or more. That should mean game on for better quality yellowtail snapper on the reef and maybe some mutton snapper on the wrecks. Offshore, we usually see a slowing down of the mahi numbers and the tuna action picks up. The tuna bite has been good, but the sharks have been excessively aggressive. There should be some extra floating debris out there in the gulf stream holding mahi that would be scattered and harder to find under the conditions we typically see this time of the year. Easier pickings if we find the floaters. I didn’t find anything on the last trip.

In the water activities are done for a while. I’m calling October mostly ruined for snorkeling and this will also wipe out the remainder of lobster season trips for me. Yes, lobster season is open. No, I’m not taking you out in cold water with crappy visibility to catch what is mostly not there. It is in your best interest to understand that. Go buy them at the store and let’s go fishing. Trust me on this.

Short report. Very awkward October. I would love to have your business and run more trips than what I have been doing. I will give you an honest answer and realistic expectations. Just be aware, the entire charter and dive industry is hurting here because of the many disruptions we have had. I do understand that you have come a long way to do a charter or outing on the ocean. It is not always possible. Some guys will do it despite anything. I see some pretty stupid trips on a sliding scale of desperation. Today, someone paid $1K to fish in the rain 30 feet off the dock at captain hooks marina. Well, they could have done that where they came from, but it would be shameful, so………it is what it is. Let the buyer beware. November should be much better. Our rainy season ends today on calendar and we should see hopefully a calmer and drier November. In the short term, we have wind coming and we can make a scaled back plan to get you on the water in protected areas if you scale back your expectations and focus on fun. So often my groups and myself get laser focused on the glory fish and there are many other reasons to go fishing other than to fill the freezer.

Comments are closed.