September can be a tricky month because you don’t know if it will be hot or cold. It is also the start to the fall tides and mullet run.
Inshore
tarpon fishing can still be good in September in the canals, creeks, and ICW. Pitch a freelined shrimp, mullet, pinfish or shrimp under a cork. Top water jerk baits with no weight and mirrOdine lures also work well. First light top water action on the flats and ICW has been good. Fish the banks for Redfish, Trout, Jack and Snook.
There should be some good flood tides this month for tailing redfish in the grass. I like to throw weedless baits. Also try the grass edges with a popping cork and shrimp at high tide. Snook season starts September 1st, you must have a snook permit to keep one of these fish and they have to be 28 – 32 inches with pinched tail. Try the bridges, inlet, canals for these fish. For lures try bucktail jigs and swimbaits. Live baiters can use shrimp, mullet, pinfish and croakers.
Offshore
bottom fishing can be good this month in about 80-100 feet of water. If you are looking for Snapper and Grouper, use 50-60 pound leader with any live or cut bait with a 4/0-5/0 circle hook.
Try a freelined bait while you are fishing the bottom for the occasional Cobia, Mutton Snapper, Kingfish or Amberjack anchor up current from the structure you’re fishing. Slow troll naked Ballyhoo with 80-pound mono in 80-200 feet of water for kingfish and maybe some sailfish if we get a cold front.
Surf and Pier
September can be a good month fishing from the pier and surf due to the Mullet run. Use a Mullet on a knocker rig for Bluefish, Redfish and Flounder.
Try throwing spoons, Gotcha Plugs and Yo Zuri plugs for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish. Pompano fishing can also be good this month use Pompano jigs or a Pompano rig with sandfleas or shrimp. Big Tarpon should still be around in the beginning of September, try floating out a pogie or mullet on a balloon for these fun hard fighting fish.
Good Luck and be safe!
Captain Tim Jarvis