Central Florida fall fishing

The fall season is here and we've had the first two cool downs of the upcoming seasons. As October comes to an end and November peaks over the horizon we can expect the water levels in the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River to continue to recede making for the premier time for sight fishing tailing schools of redfish. Two things make this the best time of year to sight fish on the waters of the space coast the lower water levels and the cooling temperatures. Both of the fore mentioned environmental changes will cause redfish to move off the vast flats and begin congregating in deeper troughs and gullies. Stake out or pole along these deeper along shallower shoals or flats keeping a keen eye out for fish tailing as they move from the deeper water up onto the shallows to feed.

November should continue to give space coast anglers great opportunities on large schools of black drum along the river and lagoon system, approach these schools slowly not to place too much pressure on the fish causing them to run off like a herd of wild buffalos. Take a Daiichi Circle Chunk Light 3/0 hook and either some chunk crab or a large dead shrimp as the bait of choice for these drum. Remember these fish in most occasions will not spook off like redfish so take your time and make a well placed cast into the school instead of the normal leading cast used with redfish.

The mullet schools will continue to migrate south and along with them will be tarpon. The last few weeks there has been some large tarpon caught off the beaches and the banks of the Indian River. Use hard baits that mimic mullet such as MirroLures and DOA or soft plastic such as Berkley Gulps 7" Texas rigged on a Daiichi Offset wide gap 4/0 hook. Remember to raise your leader strength to a minimum of 40 pounds the tarpon's rough mouth will make short order of a improper sized leader.

Til' the next bite...

Capt. Mike Ortego
"The Florida Fisherman"

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