From the archives: This report was published in October 2014. The conditions, seasonal observations, and booking information reflect that time.
As the kids get ready to trick-or-treat, the water is bringing a few treats of its own. After a very rainy week in late October, water temperatures dropped. The reef was around 80 degrees, while the dock was closer to 74. That shift stirred up the water and moved things around, following a summer of unusually warm conditions. Life was starting to return to the shallows as winter migrations began.
Offshore and reef fishing
Offshore, the tuna bite had been strong, though wind could make the run about 27 miles to the Humps a challenge. We had to choose our days carefully. Sailfish were beginning to appear, with kingfish, tuna, and the occasional wahoo or cobia also possible. Dolphin were less consistent, but we sometimes found them chasing bait near the reef edge.
Reef fishing was improving as the water cooled. The large summer yellowtail had eased off, but good-sized fish were spread across the shallow patch reefs. Grouper, porgies, hogfish, and cero mackerel were also showing up more often.
Conditions for snorkeling and spearfishing
Moon jellyfish had begun thinning out in some areas, making it easier to find places with fewer of them. Visibility was still variable after the heavy rain, with strong tides and shifting winds continuing to move dirty water around. When conditions lined up, there were good opportunities for spearfishing.
Stay flexible as fall changes
Fall is a transition season, and conditions can change quickly from day to day and tide to tide. I like to have a plan, but staying flexible lets us respond to what the water is doing. Getting set on one target can limit the day; adapting to the opportunities we find is often the better approach.
A note about booking
When I wrote this, I had just added an online reservation feature after nearly three years in business. It used deposits to hold bookings and PayPal for payment. My goal was to make reservations clearer and reduce scheduling mix-ups. Those details describe the system at the time and may no longer match current booking procedures.
If you’re planning a trip now or have questions about choosing an activity, get in touch and we can talk through the current options.
