by Capt. Matt Mitchell
Over the past few weeks, more and more schools of redfish have started popping up around the sound. For the next few months, we are in what can only be described as prime-time redfish action. As these schools of big overshot reds enter the bay from the Gulf, they roam the many bars and flats in the sound. This is some of the most amazing fishing of the year.
Lower water can make it a little easier to locate these fish as they rumble around like cattle. Often, you spot birds feeding on bait that jumps to escape them as they feed on anything they come across. Start your hunt inside the passes on both the flats and any humps or bars. Captiva Rocks area and the many bars around the entrance to Rocky Channel are a good place to start. Drifting the passes can also be a good choice, as this is where these fish are moving in from.
When sight fishing these schools of reds, I rig my rods two ways: either with a weedless spoon or with a simple free-line rig to cast a cut bait. Both setups allow a long cast, which is often required to keep baits in these fast-charging schools—basically, if you can get any bait into these schools, they will. The schools are often over a shallow grass flat; you want something that won’t hang in the bottom. Watching multiple fish charge your bait is something you have to see to believe.
Mangrove fishing for redfish is also a great option during the higher tides. This time of year, I fish lots of the mangrove islands in the middle to northern sound. Look for mullet on these islands as a telltale of where the reds will be. Cut bait or cut pinfish are the baits of choice, and you need to cast up close under the trees. Set up as far out from the trees as you can and make a long cast so the fish don’t know you’re there.
With red October just around the corner, these redfish become our target species over the next few months. Some of the biggest redfish we see all year are pushing into our inshore waters in massive numbers. Get out and get on them while they are here.
Capt. Matt Mitchell moved to Sanibel in 1980 and has lived in St. James City since 2000, when he started his fishing charter business. He spends over 300 days a year “living the dream” fishing. For questions and info: bookings@captmattmitchell.com
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