Archived October 2015 report: Water conditions, fishing observations, lobster catches, and boat upgrades below reflect that period.
Following the unsettled weather around Hurricane Joaquin, it feels as though fall arrived overnight. The intense summer heat has eased, sunny days are more comfortable, and water temperatures are in the low 80s. After a long, hot summer, a little change feels pretty good.
Fall Fishing Is a Moving Puzzle
October fishing can feel like dumping a box of puzzle pieces onto the table. We start with what I have been seeing, turn over a few more pieces during the trip, and work out the picture together.
There is plenty of movement from day to day and tide to tide. Offshore tuna fishing has been great, although the fish have generally been smaller. On the reef, cooler water has brought a longer productive window for snapper and more variety in the catches.
Grouper, jacks, mackerel, and other predators are moving through with schools of bait. What appears behind the boat today may be different tomorrow. That variety is part of what makes this month interesting.
Bayside Snapper and Shark Options
Mangrove snapper are back in good numbers on the bayside, with ladyfish, jacks, grouper, and some mackerel adding action.
Sharks have also been returning, bringing catch-and-release shark outings back into our options during this period. Some trips have combined fishing for dinner and bait with time targeting bigger fish for sport. It is a way to mix different experiences when the conditions and group are a suitable match.
Lobster Catches Have Improved
The summer’s very hot water coincided with less productive lobstering than I had expected. With temperatures easing, I have been finding lobsters across more areas and seeing better opportunities.
Over the past week, our trips have averaged about one and a half keeper lobsters per hole visited. That describes a recent stretch, rather than a catch rate to expect on every outing.
Groups comfortable with the diving and catching process have been able to work through more spots. Teamwork helps us make good use of the time, while keeping the pace appropriate for everybody’s abilities and the conditions.
Improving Reef Conditions
Snorkeling and the spearfishing outings offered during this period have also been improving. Moon jellyfish have thinned out in the areas I have visited, and water clarity has been returning toward more familiar conditions.
I am hopeful that cooling water will bring clearer days and more fish into the shallows. We still need to assess each outing around the weather, visibility, and people aboard.
New Engines and Boat Improvements
The boat has spent some time in the yard receiving upgrades. A pair of new 2015 Suzuki engines now provides quieter, more efficient running and more speed than the previous set.
New steering, wiring, and other improvements are part of the effort to keep making the boat a better place to spend your day. I am looking forward to putting those changes to work for returning guests and new visitors during the 2015–2016 season.
Thank you to everybody who has supported this business and shared an adventure with me. Each year brings more experience and more opportunities to refine what I offer. Getting to introduce you to this part of my world is something I remain grateful for.
If you are considering a fall outing, tell me whether fishing, lobstering, or time exploring the reef interests your group most. I’ll help you work through the options and put the pieces together for your day.
