Whiteys Fishing Report
September 2010
Sebastian Inlet & Offshore
September usually brings in Hurricanes, Mullet and the long awaited Snook Season. Everything is on cue except for Snook season. With the cold weather and fish kills in January the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission closed the harvest of Snook for the spring season. They have postponed the September 1st opening until the 16th to hear a report from FWC staff on the Snook population. This report will be presented to the commissioners at the September 2nd public meeting in Pensacola Beach. The commissioners will also hear public input at this meeting. If you have an opinion on this matter I encourage you to go and voice it, so hear I go.
With all the latest fish closures and no fishing zones I am concerned this article is going to become a catch and release report. If the Southeast Atlantic Fisheries Council and The Fish and Wildlife Commission keep heading the direction they are going the only fish we are going to be allowed to keep are Hardhead Catfish. Are we getting overrun by tree hugging environmentalists in these council’s who think fish and meat are born in plastic wrapping? I would have no issue with these closures if they had sound data to make decisions from, but the data that they are using has been proven time and time again to be flawed. These laws are going to make outlaws out of law-abiding citizens, because of over regulation. Florida is known as, “The Fishing Capital of the World”; maybe we should change it to “The Need to Take a Lawyer with you to go Fishing Capital of the World.” That’s a point; I wonder what a lawyer’s “on water” hourly rate is?
If you want to fight these closures join groups like the Fishing Rights Alliance, www.thefra.org. They are the only group that I know of that is fighting these closures the only way possible, with law suits. I also encourage you to look at the groups you donate to and ask them what are their stances on these issues. To the best of my knowledge the Coastal Conservation Association has supported every fish closure. I don’t know about you, but I am not going to donate to a group that supports unjustified fish closures. Don’t just donate money, research these so called fishing organizations and make sure they are speaking for you.
Back to the fishing report. As stated earlier the Mullet come in September and a few are already trickling in. Palm sized mullet are moving south along the beaches and are being shadowed by a number of game fish. Snook catches along the beaches in Floridana have been consistent early mornings. Expect anything to bite when you are fishing the bait pods. Matching the hatch is always the best bet, but sometimes something different can draw a strike. Expect more Mullet to filter in and action heat up as the month goes on. The hurricanes moving up the coast should definitely push some fish down.
Sebastian Inlet can also heat up during the Mullet run. Waves of mullet get stacked up along the Jetties and hungry predators wait. Snook, Redfish, Tarpon and any other fish that can fit a Mullet in its mouth line up for an ambush. This is one of the best times of the year down there to catch a keeper redfish. Large spoons cast into the channel on outgoing tides can work wonders.
The lagoon also gets a run of mullet moving south. This can bring the fish out in good numbers. Look for natural funnel points with structure that the mullet have to swim by and target those areas. You can get some real rod bending action. On calm nights get out there and fish, sometimes the exploding sound of fish taking mullet off the surface can lead you to good fishing areas. With some wave action and strong winds that we usually get this time of year it can help to cool the river down. With cooler water the fish will stay on the flats longer in the mornings. With all the bait on the flats and winter approaching the fish are trying to fatten up. So get out there and fish.
Offshore can be a tough month in September not because of fish but because of weather. Between early season fronts that can stall out and bring wind and rain for days and the ever present threat of a tropical system moving through wind and seas can remain rough for weeks. If it does calm down fishing and diving can be fantastic. With the change in weather patterns it can stir up the ocean and really make things happen. Reefs that seemed barren a week ago can be teeming with life. Another good thing that happens for the divers all those egg bearing female lobster that you had to put back usually have dropped their eggs. So, if you can remember where you left them go back and get them.
Trolling can be great this month. Good numbers of Wahoo are usually caught over the cones as they make their way back south. Kingfish, Dolphin and Sailfish are always a great bet as well. Trolling or live baiting from 80-300ft. is a great place to find consistent action.
As always for the latest information and reports call Whitey’s or stop in on your way down. Check us out on the web at www.whiteysonline.com.
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-14409030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
captstovall@whiteysonline.comwww.whiteysonline.com/
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