By Richard Hastings
Fall fishing is underway in the Florida Keys. While the leaves may be changing colors up north, Florida Bay is also having its own color change.
Mullets of all sizes have returned to the bay in large numbers, creating giant muds that provide food and covert feeding opportunities for snook, redfish and tarpon. Find the birds, find the bait, find the fish!
With the water temps cooling down, fishing has been picking up oceanside. We’re seeing longer, faster runs, and bonefish have only become more fun. Larger bonefish can be caught this time of year, making it one of my favorite months to guide as well as fish myself.
Permit, permit, permit: We’re seeing them from Florida Bay to the oceanside cruising high in the water column or tailing on the flats. They test every skill you have as an angler. Taken by fly or with bait, sight-fishing permit on the flats will either leave you smiling or dreaming for more.
FISH FACT
Permit have a specialized plate at the back of their mouth that helps them crush hard-shelled animals such as clams and crabs. They feed on small fishes and invertebrates.
FISH TIP
Focus on shallow, structure-rich areas like grass flats or mangrove shorelines for redfish. Target them with live baits like shrimp, pinfish and crabs or artificial lures such as jigs and spoons.
