September and October Fishing

September and October is the summer/fall transition time for fishing in the Keys.  By September, the reef snapper spawn is over and the big Mangroves and Muttons move back towards their winter haunts.  Back in the Bay the big Mangroves will be hanging out in the taller bottom grass, around structure and near many of the banks.  The Muttons will move to their favorite deeper wrecks and many of the rock piles in Hawks Channel.  Bridge fishing this time of year can be exceptional as the various species move around deciding on where they plan to spend their winter. 

Offshore, tuna is a good bet about anywhere with plenty of triple tails for those that find a few floaters.  Dolphin or Mahi Mahi can be found off the Florida Keys year around but as air and water temperatures drop Sailfish and Mackerel are easier targets just off the reef. 

Flag Yellowtail snapper on the reef are a bit harder to target after the spawn but, good size fish in the 15 to 18 inch range are on most of the reef's live coral fields from around 35 feet to 100 feet.  Remember the deeper you fish the more chum you need to burn. With the grouper season scheduled to close in December, September through November will be your best bet to target these tasty critters on the wrecks, patches and rock piles.

As the water temperatures drop, Bay Side Spanish Mackerel fishing will build up and if water conditions are favorable, Cobia will start hanging out on the Bay structure.  The past two years the near shore (10 to 20 miles out) Cobia fishing has been below normal.  This has been due to algae blooms in that range which don't appear to be a problem this year.  So expect to see some nice fish coming to the dock in the next couple of months.

Fishing reports have been in short supply with the off season upon us.  Yellow Tail on the reef are biting well.  The Mangrove bite with some keeper Gag grouper is getting better in the Bay.  Tuna on the humps have been pretty consistent with decent catches of Dolphin most days and quite a few nice triple tails coming home for dinner.

Tarpon are biting better than normal for this time of year off the flats and bridges due to the weird weather this past season.  While the water is still warm the bonefish and permit bite should remain good though it is considerably better to the West from the Contents past Key Weird.

Marathon in the Florida Keys should be your next fishing vacation destination. Join us for charter fishing, fishing guide trips or our fishing 101 so you can fish on your own with better success.

Tight lines,

Capt. Dallas