The arrival of October brings with it some of the most exciting fishing opportunities of the year, and local anglers are feeling the magic. While Discovery Channel might have declared Shark Week as a summer phenomenon, the local waters around Daytona Beach are telling a different story. In addition, the fall pompano run may be starting a little earlier than expected, and speckled perch are filling coolers at an impressive rate.
As temperatures drop and the days become cooler, anglers are approaching a prime time in the local fishing calendar. With the forecast predicting highs in the low 80s soon, it’s time to gear up for what’s shaping up to be a stellar fishing season.
Halifax/Indian River Action Heats Up
Flounder numbers are growing in the intracoastal, though they haven’t quite reached their peak size yet. Capt. Jeff Patterson of Pole Dancer Charter reports multiple catches of flounder in quick succession, sometimes within minutes of each other. Snook and redfish are also making strong appearances along mangrove shorelines, especially on outgoing tides. Around Ponce Inlet, large sharks have been frequenting the area, which might be contributing to some of the inconsistent catches seen lately.
According to Ike Leary from Granada Bait Shop in Ormond Beach, snook are practically everywhere. Capt. Bruno Imbrunone of Caught Up Fishing Charter has also seen success with redfish and tarpon but has found snook to be a highlight for his clients. During a recent bachelor party outing, one angler caught and released a hefty 36-inch snook—proving that October is full of surprises.
Surf Fishing
Low tides have opened up new opportunities for surf anglers, allowing them to cast beyond the sandbars into deeper troughs. While the fall pompano run isn’t fully underway just yet, there are still good catches to be had, including whiting and redfish. According to local angler Marco Pompano, early in the week brought excellent results with calm winds and minimal currents. By midweek, he was already grilling up fat pompano caught in these ideal conditions.
Offshore
Offshore conditions may be rough over the weekend, with seas predicted to reach 4 to 6 feet, but there has still been some excellent fishing. The Sea Spirit fishing boat had a few successful outings before heading into dry dock for its annual maintenance. Recent catches included three African pompano before the boat began its month-long break. It’s set to return to action in November with brand-new engines, ready for more offshore adventures.
Flagler County Fishing Highlights
Surf angler Brett Abbey is keeping a close eye on Matanzas Inlet, where fish are abundant, particularly during tide changes. The incoming and outgoing tides are attracting giant tarpon chasing mullet near the southwest side of Matanzas Bridge. Additionally, it’s a prime time to target bull redfish, with some huge specimens being caught and released daily.
St. Johns River Speck Fishing
Speckled perch are hitting hard in the St. Johns River, with some anglers reaching their limits of 50 fish per day. Capt. Bryn Adams of Highland Park Fish Camp recommends open-water trolling with artificial jigs to maximize the speck haul.
Hook, Line, and Clicker
Anglers are encouraged to share their latest catches. Fish photos can be sent in, and anglers are asked to include full names and details about the type of fish, as species can sometimes stump the fishing experts.
As October continues, anglers are urged to take advantage of these prime conditions before the season’s peak fishing days slip away.
Image/Source: news-journalonline
