The Weather is Cooling Down, but the Fishing is Hot at Gulf Coast RV Resort
The latest end-of-September/beginning-of-October fishing reports indicate that Gulf Coast RV Resort favorites redfish, snook, and grouper are in abundance off the coast, and they are biting! Cooling temperatures don’t have to mean an end to the fun that Gulf Coast and Inglis, FL, have to offer. If you’re heading our way to camp and take your boat or a chartered trip onto the water, here’s some tips!
Snook
- Snook season just opened on September 1, a boon for fisherfolk! Snook can make for an exciting catch, as many fight hard and jump on the line.
- The jury is out on snook appetites. Many fishermen swear by live bait, while others swear that snook prefer an easy, dead meal.
- If you use live bait, try shrimp, pilchards, mullet, or sardines, but any small fish will do to capture the snook’s attention.
- If using dead bait, think big! Try mullet heads or ladyfish halves fished on the bottom.
- Fish near docks and mangroves, and be sure to test waters during different stages of tide, or try fishing at night near the full moon.
Redfish
- Fresh cut mullet is a popular bait for redfish, but pinfish also renders positive results on the water! Our area is great for catching baitfish by the netful!
- These popular fish are easiest to catch first thing in the morning in shallows or later in the afternoon in deeper waters.
- Redfish, along with other popular catches, cling close to docks, mangroves, any other structure, and ambush bait quickly. As summer draws to an end, numbers are only increasing, with water temperatures lingering around the 80s!
- Don’t forget, the population boom known as Red October is coming!
Grouper
- Different varieties of grouper come in and out of heavy population around Inglis throughout the year, with the Black, Gag, Red, and Scamp varieties starting to really add up as the weather shifts colder.
- Different from many of the smaller catches in the gulf, fishing for grouper means you’ll need equipment and strength that is up to the task!
- Groupers enjoy just about any bait, but particular squid, sardine, or octopus pieces. Try dropping live bait to the bottoms to specifically draw a grouper’s eye.
- Stick to bottoms covered with rocks and other debris, but these come with their own challenges!
As always, be sure to check on regulations for numbers, weights, and licenses.
Have you had success snagging snook, redfish, or grouper recently around Inglis, Crystal River, and Homosassa? Tell us all about it on our Facebook page! Ready to book your next stay at Sanctuary? Book entirely online or give us a call, and don’t forget to check our current specials!
