Coastal Angler Magazine | September 2025 | Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale Edition by Coastal Angler Magazine

BIG SNAPPER GO LIGHT FOR BACKWATERS FISHING ON A SUP

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fve things you should know about boat insurance

Are you ready to embark on your next on-water adventure? Before you set sail, here are fve things to know about boat insurance.

1. Boat insurance isn’t just for accidents

With comprehensive coverage, you’ll also be protected fnancially for theft, vandalism, and unexpected events like storms if you need repairs or replacements due to damage.

2. Accidents can happen to anyone

When accidents happen, boat insurance offers liability coverage for damages or injuries you cause while boating, up to specifed limits. It can also cover lawsuit costs if you’re sued.

3. Boat insurance can cover medical payments

Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you’re in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.

4. Most lenders require boat insurance

If you fnanced your boat, you’ll likely need boat insurance since most lenders require boat insurance to protect their investment. Additionally, some marinas or municipalities require proof of insurance for docking.

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A Quiet Revolution on the Water PADDLEBOARD FISHING THE BACKWATERS

By Skye Burkhardt

In recent years, paddleboard !shing has quietly emerged as one of the most immersive and rewarding ways to !sh, particularly in the backwaters where nature whispers and big !sh lurk in shallow, untouched waters. Combining the stealth of a kayak with the freedom and perspective of stand-up paddling, paddleboard !shing o ers a unique experience that connects anglers to their environment in a deeply personal way. You become part of the environment—just another element in a quiet, dynamic system. Every ripple matters, every shadow could be a !sh. It’s !shing stripped to its essentials: a board, a rod, and your wits.

WHY THE BACKWATERS?

Backwaters—those slow-moving or stagnant tributaries and tidal creeks separated from larger bodies of water—are havens for !sh and wildlife. ey’re o en shallow, weedy, and di cult to access with motorboats, making them ideal for paddleboards. ese secluded waterways harbor species like red!sh, snook, bass, tarpon, and trout, depending on your region. e calm water allows for sight !shing and careful stalking, while the surrounding vegetation provides natural structure and cover for !sh. For anglers seeking peace, solitude, and the thrill of spotting and targeting !sh in crystal-clear shallows, backwaters are unmatched.

THE PADDLEBOARD ADVANTAGE

Paddleboards o er several distinct advantages in the backwaters:

• Maneuverability: ey can access shallow and narrow areas where boats can’t go.

• Stealth: Paddleboards glide silently, allowing

you to approach !sh without disturbing them.

• Sight Fishing: Standing gives anglers a better vantage point to see !sh and structure below the surface.

• Portability: Easy to transport and launch, paddleboards can be carried to remote areas with little e ort.

• Minimal Impact: Paddleboards have a low environmental footprint, making them a great choice for conservation-minded anglers.

GEAR ESSENTIALS

Fishing from a paddleboard requires packing smart. Space is limited, so prioritize:

• Rod and Reel: A medium-action spinning setup is versatile for most species.

• Tackle Box: A compact, waterproof tackle box with your go-to lures, so plastics, hooks and leaders.

• Anchor or Stakeout Pole: To hold position in wind or current.

• Cooler: Dual-purpose for storage and seating.

• PFD (Personal Flotation Device): Required by law and essential for safety.

• Dry Bag: Keep your phone, wallet, and other valuables safe.

• Sun Protection: Hat, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen are must-haves.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Practice Paddle Control: Master basic paddling and balance techniques before trying to !sh while standing.

2. Stay Organized: Use carabiners and bungee cords to keep gear secure and accessible.

3. Scout the Water: Stand and scan for tailing

!sh, bait activity, or subtle ripples.

4. Be Patient: Quietly dri or pole through likely spots, and avoid sudden movements.

5. Time Your Trip: Early morning and late evening o er cooler temps, calmer water, and more active !sh.

CONCLUSION

Paddleboard !shing in the backwaters is more than a hobby—it’s a return to simplicity and intimacy with nature. It’s a growing movement that emphasizes low-impact adventure, selfreliance, and a deep appreciation for wild, o en overlooked places. Whether you’re targeting snook in a mangrove tunnel, bass in a hidden freshwater creek, or red!sh on a mud at, the experience of !shing from a paddleboard is less about the catch and more about the connection— to the water, the !sh, and yourself. For anglers ready to trade noise and crowds for silence and solitude, the backwaters await.

If you’re interested in paddleboard !shing, but don’t have the equipment or gear, be sure to enter my “Ultimate Halloween Paddleboard Fishing Package” giveaway presented by Coastal Angler Magazine, where you could score a “Tricked Out” Live Watersports paddleboard equipped with an ePropulsion eLite electric motor, paddleboard !shing gear and accessories, apparel and more! Scan the code in the ad on the next page or visit coastalanglermag.com/CAM-giveaway for more details and to enter.

Find Skye Burkhardt on Facebook at “Inshore Adventures With Skye,” and on Instagram: @brassyangler87.

LITHIUM BATTERY POWER WINS BEST ENERGY AWARD AT ICAST 2025 FOR GAME-CHANGING POWERBOX SYSTEM

Lithium Battery Power (LBP), a leading innovator in advanced battery solutions, has taken top honors in the Energy category at the 2025 International Convention of Allied Sport!shing Trades (ICAST). e company’s groundbreaking Powerbox 2.5 kW / Solar Panel Lithium Battery Charging System was awarded the Best of Category: Energy, signaling a major leap forward in sustainable, high-performance energy technology for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Held annually in Orlando, ICAST is recognized as the world’s largest sport!shing trade show and a hub for innovation within the industry. Each year, hundreds of new products are submitted for consideration across multiple categories, but only the most impressive make it to the winner’s circle. LBP’s Powerbox system stood out for its combination of portability, power, and green energy integration. e award-winning Powerbox 2.5 kW system delivers robust, reliable energy storage and output

in a compact, rugged form factor. It’s designed to meet the demanding needs of outdoor enthusiasts who rely on consistent power in o -grid environments. Integrated with a high-e ciency solar charging panel, the system ensures power sustainability even during extended trips, reducing the need for fuel-powered generators or frequent dock visits.

outages, hurricanes and critical jobsite power along with the heavy 12 volt demands in marine environments got their attention over all others in the Energy category.

“We are honored to receive this recognition at ICAST,” said Don Mitchell, Sales Director for Lithium Battery Power. “Our goal has always been to push the boundaries of battery technology while supporting eco-conscious outdoor recreation. e Powerbox system is a direct response to what today’s anglers need— power that lasts, in a package that’s smart, clean, and easy to use.”

e judges at ICAST praised the Powerbox for its innovative design, versatility, and emphasis on clean energy. Weekend power

is win marks a signi!cant milestone for Lithium Battery Power, reinforcing its position as a leader in the renewable energy sector within recreational vehicle and marine markets.

As the industry shi s toward more sustainable and e cient energy solutions, Lithium Battery Power’s win at ICAST 2025 signals that the future of on-the-water power is not just electric - it’s solar, smart, and built for adventure.

By Will Schmidt

GO LIGHT FOR BIG SNAPPER

If you have spent any time bottom !shing you know that occasionally on the heaviest of tackle you can outsmart a big snapper and end up with a solid !sh. Other days you can struggle to get even shorts. If you really want to up your game, it is time to lighten up.

When I say light, I mean straight 20 or 30lb mono and light wire 3/0 hooks. You may get broken o at times, but it is worth it for a box full of stud mangos and ARS. My go to big snapper setups is G Loomis IMX Pro Blues 843 casting rod with Shimano Trinadad TN20. is out!t is light, sensitive, and deadly on snapper. Some might like a bit lighter action rod but I have found that even with straight 20lb test you can really put a lot of pressure on these !sh and the backbone is nice to get them o the bottom as quickly as you can. A bit heaver is also nice when that grouper inevitably grabs the bait.

Here is a pro tip. One of the key elements for success to get big snapper, especially mangos, is the ability to react fast. Snapper get their name because they will o en quickly snap at a bait and then release it. With these sensitive rods and a gear ration of 6.2 to 1 you can pick up 46 inches of line in a single turn. A sensitive rod and a fast

reel means when you feel that tap, you can come tight instantly even in deep water. Remember you must use circle hooks so reeling vs setting the hook is the way to connect to these A fast reel might be the most important tool when snapper !shing.

My go to bait is a live pin!sh because, everything eats a pin!sh. I like having a livewell full of nice hand size pins. I do also use thread!ns both live and dead. read are great baits, but a good stout live 7 inch thread is remarkably strong and can be tough to get to the bottom as they swim o with your lead. at means dead threads can be easier to get to the strike zone. Cut the heads and tails o and make a thread “plug.” read “plugs” are awesome for snapper bait especially when live bait is not available. If hook ups are tough, I will double up my hooks, snelling 2 circle hooks close together and getting both hidden inside the plug to increase my hookup ratio. Regardless, I use 3 to 4 feet of mono leader then a swivel and a 3 ounce lead to hold the rig right on the bottom.

light and you will likely !nd the results are worth it.

Whether you really want to target big snapper or the bite is just really tough, try going

in the Keys Tuna Time Tuna Time

By A. deGruchy

Late summer in the Florida Keys means steady black!n tuna action. Look for them around o shore humps like Marathon and Islamorada, especially early in the morning, and over wrecks in 200 to 600 feet of water.

Troll small feathers, ballyhoo, or bonito strips when the !sh are feeding near the surface. If they’re holding deeper, vertical jigging is the way to go. Savage Gear jigs in the 100 to 200 gram range work great. Drop them straight down and work them quickly to trigger bites.

For gear, the new Penn Spin!sher VII combo in the 4500 to 6500 size is a solid choice. Spool it with 30 to 50 pound braid and 30 pound uoro. It’s a strong and smooth setup that handles tuna with ease.

Watch for bird activity like frigates and terns diving. at usually means tuna are pushing bait to the surface. And always !sh with respect. Don’t troll behind another boat or crowd or someone who is already on a school. Give space and enjoy the bite.

Black!n tuna grade is better than blue!n in my opinion; you can eat it raw, do poke bowls, sushi rolls or sear it with sesame seeds!

Be sure to follow deGruchy’s adventures on YouTube (Bean Sport shing TV) and @bean_sport shing on Instagram.

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Quiet Water, Violent Strikes: TEXAS STYLE SURF FISHING

By Capt. Michael Okruhlik

Chasing Giants on the Gulf Coast

When the end of summer is near and the tides align, there’s no place I’d rather be than Southwest Florida—with a rod in hand and visions of giant snook dancing in my head. !is year, my buddies and I made the pilgrimage with a simple mission: land a personal best. Big sh only. No compromises.

Hard Twitch Baits: Strike First, Strike Hard

If I had to pick just one, hard twitch baits take the top spot. !ere’s something about that sharp, erratic dart through the water that drives trout wild — and the strikes are violent. Like “wake-up-your-neighbors”, violent. Twitch it, pause it, twitch again — boom! Bonus: many of these lures rattle, which adds an extra layer of appeal in the slightly stained surf water.

Topwaters: The Surface Showdown

When I want a front-row seat to the chaos, I tie on a topwater. Watching a speckled trout explode on a surface lure in the calm surf is pure adrenaline. If it misses, keep working it. Trout in the surf are red up and aggressive — they’ll o en come back for seconds (or thirds). Like the twitch baits, these lures rattle too, which helps draw sh in from a distance.

Old School Silver Spoon: Timeless and Deadly

!e silver spoon has earned its place in Texas shing history, and for good

reason — it still at-out works. I prefer a steady retrieve style spoon for consistent action over a jigging one, but that’s just personal taste. And hey, I’m a paddle-tail guy at heart, so a steady retrieve comes naturally.

Soft Plastics: PaddleTails & Shrimp with a Twist

So plastics shine in the surf, but go for durability. !ese sh aren’t sitting around like they do in the bay — they’re moving, and fast. !e last thing you want is to waste time swapping lures er every catch.

I use paddle tails with built-in tail rattles and super-loud rattling shrimp. Yes, rattling shrimp exist — and when trout are keyed in on shrimp, nothing else will do. !e realism and noise can turn a slow day into a urry of action.

Live Bait: Sometimes, You Just Gotta Go Natural

Live shrimp under a rattling popping cork? !at’s trout candy. It’s simple, e ective, and deadly on calm days.

But if the bite gets nicky, break out the big guns: live croaker. Controversial? Sure. E ective? Absolutely. When the water’s crystal clear and the trout are being picky, croaker can be a day-saver.

Bonus Round: Redfsh in the Mix

Don’t be surprised if a slot red — or even an oversized bruiser — crashes the party. Every lure and bait on this list will get crushed by reds in the surf. Be ready. !e surf might be calm, but your drag won’t be.

Bring the Kids – And Leave the Southwest Wind Behind

Calm surf days are perfect for family shing. Easy wading, plenty of action, and good-sized sh make it a blast for kids and adults alike.

One nal tip: if there’s any southwest wind at all, do what the surfers do on at days — stay in bed. It’ll save you some frustration.

So check that forecast, grab your favorite rattling lure, and remember: always take a kid shing.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures®, and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KNOCKIN TAIL LURES®

The Mullet Run: A Coastal Spectacle in Motion

By Mark Ambert

Every fall, a remarkable phenomenon takes place in the Atlantic waters hugging Florida’s coastline. It starts subtly with barely a ripple. But within days, the ocean transforms into a roiling theater of life and death. The mullet run - one of the most visually electric, biologically explosive migrations in North America.

The timing is orchestrated not by human clocks but by ancient biological rhythms. As water temperatures begin to dip below 75°F usually between mid-September and early November, massive schools of mullet, both finger-sized juveniles and thick-bodied adults, begin their southern pilgrimage from estuaries and bays along the eastern seaboard toward warmer waters. The trigger? A combination of falling temperatures, shortening daylight, and the lunar cycle.

If you’ve ever stood on the beach during the run, you know the feeling. The air seems to buzz. The ocean darkens with millions of baitfish moving in coordinated chaos. The shoreline - normally tranquil explodes into life. Pelicans dive, gorging themselves from above. Tarpon roll in silver arcs, their massive bodies flashing as they crash through the bait balls. Sharks slash and spin in the froth, like living torpedoes. Snook, jacks, bluefisheveryone joins the melee. It’s not a food chain - it’s a buffet line.

But beneath the surface spectacle lies a deeper biological engine. Mullet are spawning. The run is their final exodus to offshore waters where they will release and fertilize eggs, continuing a life cycle older than the mangrove habitat they call home. Predators know this. For them, it’s not just opportunism - it’s survival. The caloric jackpot of the mullet run fuels migrations, growth cycles, and even reproductive success in dozens of species.

For anglers, the mullet run is a yearly siren call with anglers traveling the distance just to witness this once-a-year spectacle. And it’s all about timing. Hit it too early, and you’ll find empty surf. Too late, and the ocean returns to stillness. But nail that window - usually a confluence of a cold front, an east wind, and a dropping barometer - and you may find yourself amid a blitz so chaotic it seems choreographed.

But there’s a fragility to this event, too. As coastal development continues, the health of mullet populations - particularly the spawning juveniles, is under pressure. Overharvesting, habitat loss, and stormwater runoff all threaten the foundation of the run.

Still, for now, it endures. The run is not just an event - it’s a visceral reminder of nature’s amazing heartbeat. It is instinct made visible. From Palm Beach to Sebastian Inlet, and all the way down to Miami, the mullet run is less a season and more a rite. One that connects us, if only for a few weeks, to the rhythm of the sea and the wild, untamed nature of survival just beyond the breaking waves.

And if you’re lucky, standing barefoot in wet sand with a rod in hand you may just catch a glimpse of something ancient, thrilling, and utterly unforgettable along with the fish of a lifetime!

Mark Ambert, IG @marksgonefishing_™

Equipment Used -- Coastal Fishing https://www.coastalfishing.com/

TheGaleForce Twins

The Big Debate Slow Pitch Jigging vs Bait

There’s always been a bit of a divide between anglers who swear by slow pitch jigging and those who prefer traditional bait fishing. The truth is, both techniques have their place, and their pros and cons.

When exploring new waters or hunting for productive fishing spots, we tend to lean toward jigging. Jigs drop quickly, reach the bottom fast, and allow you to cover a lot of ground efficiently. It’s a great way to figure out where the fish are, and just as importantly, where they aren’t.

That said, conditions matter. In strong current, your jig might not hold bottom and can scope out too far. We typically start with a 1:1 jig-to-depth ratio, so in 100 feet of water, we use a 100-gram jig. If the current is ripping, you may need to size up. But working a heavy jig in deep water can wear you out quickly. On those days, it can be easier to drop down a squid or ballyhoo on a big lead and let it sit longer before reeling in. Bait fishing, on the other hand, can be a bit more technical. Depending on your rig, there’s usually more drag, which means you’ll need to slow your descent to avoid tangles. Once you’re on bottom, the challenge is holding bottom, allowing the bait to drift naturally with the current, and still being able to detect subtle bites. In very deep water, bait can actually be the better option, it’s physically less demanding to keep it on the bottom than to work a jig continuously.

At the end of the day, it’s not about which method is better, it’s about knowing when and how to use each one to your advantage. There have been plenty of days when fish will crush the jigs and ignore the bait entirely, and vice versa. That’s why we like to start our bottom fishing days by having one angler drop a jig and another fish bait. It’s a simple strategy that helps you figure out what the fish are responding to, so you can dial in your approach and maximize the bite.

The opportunity is there to catch some monster fish during the fall mullet migration.

Fishing the Palm Beaches

Fishing Forecast

DARCIZZLE

Please be sure to check out my YouTube Channel “Darcizzle Offshore” for fishing videos every week! www.youtube.com/DarcizzleOffshore

September will bring much needed changes to the water conditions in South Florida! Time is of the essence; when you’re planning a fishing trip this month, get out there as early as possible to catch the dawn bite! The surface water temps warm up quickly during the first hour of daybreak therefore it is important to have lines in the water before the fish swim to deeper water to escape the heat. Within the next few weeks, the mullet run/fall bait migration will take place, which will be a fairly easy bait to cast net in the ICW, on the beaches, and nearshore. In the meantime, look for threadfins and pilchards, they can usually be found around the mouth of Boynton Beach and Palm Beach Inlets.

Another exciting fish to target this month will be the wahoo! August and September are prime months to target wahoo. Targeting wahoo on the troll is a nice change of pace and you cover a lot of ground. The impending September full moon will give you another opportunity to catch one if you haven’t already. If you like to troll (7-10 knots), I recommend fishing a bonita strip under a Salty Dawg Sea Witch & pulling two planers (Size 4 & 8) to get the baits deeper in the water column. When the conditions are favorable and wahoo are thick, they will attack any lure you are pulling past them. Wahoo fishing gives you an incredible adrenaline rush, especially when you feel the vicious head shakes while reeling in the fish and hand lining them through the transom door or gaffing them.

For the anglers that prefer reef/wreck fishing, this month should also produce a good bottom bite. I would suggest using a ‘sinking line’ which means a 15ft, 60 to 80lb leader on a swivel, and a heavy sinker to hold the bottom depending on the current. The hook you use depends on the type of bait you prefer to fish the bottom with. When fishing on one of these structures, you will catch big amberjack, assorted snapper including nice sized mutton snapper, along with a few groupers, or even a wahoo.

Inshore fishing should be on FIRE with the mullet run right around the corner! You can use mullet to fish for snook, tarpon, jacks, and trout. Small finger mullets are also perfect for snook, which are being caught and released throughout the day around the inlets right now as the spawning season comes to an end. Good luck, anglers! Please check out my YouTube channel, Darcizzle Offshore, for more fishing tips, tricks, and to go on fishing adventures with me!

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INSHORE & FRESHWATER

ROADTRIPFISHING Buddy Banana Kibosh

By Keith Lozott Contributing Writer

Fishing Forecast with

CAPT. PATRICK SMITH

Typically, I don’t believe in superstitions, but a er a recent shing trip with my buddy Neil, I may be a believer!!! e morning started slow; I caught a small snapper and small snook. Neil was in skunk mode, so we decided to try a spoil island where I’ve caught some trout, snook, and a gag grouper on a prior trip. To our dismay it was dead as well. Just as we were about to exit stage le , Neil was working a topwater lure back to the boat when what appeared to be a large bull shark came up from the bottom and tried to hammer the lure. Unbelievably it totally missed the lure and disappeared. It was impressive to witness such a big specimen of a sh take a swipe at the lure.

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STypically, I don’t believe in superstitions, but a er a recent shing trip with my buddy Neil, I may be a believer!!! e morning started slow; I caught a small snapper and small snook. Neil was in skunk mode, so we decided to try a spoil island where I’ve caught some trout, snook, and a gag grouper on a prior trip. To our dismay it was dead as well. Just as we were about to exit stage le , Neil was working a topwater lure back to the boat when what appeared to be a large bull shark came up from the bottom and tried to hammer the lure. Unbelievably it totally missed the lure and disappeared. It was impressive to witness such a big specimen of a sh take a swipe at the lure.

A er the “Shark Week” experience, we continued to struggle so I decided to implement Plan C and move from the east side of the Indian River to the west side. I’ve had some nice shing on the west side with trout, reds, and snook. We made our way across the river stopping at another spoil island only to be greeted with a jack attack. I landed several jacks and Neil hooked one that got o . His skunk was still intact but with jacks around I gured that would change. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

If the inshore species are what you’re after it doesn’t get much easier than nose hooking a mullet and tossing it into the school. You can also fish it on the outside edge of the school where it might stand out a little bit. Another trick is to put a half-ounce or 1-ounce lead, like a knocker rig, right above your hook and throw it into the middle of the school. The weight will bring it down to the bottom and put it more in the strike zone of the snook and tarpon. One thing a lot of people don’t think about is you can take those mullets offshore and bump troll them. Everything loves them especially sailfish, mahi, kingfish, and wahoo. You can rig wire and even a stinger hook #2, travel in the back, and usually the mullet will slow troll with no issue. I tend to just stick with the circle hook in the nose and take my chances.

Myron caught his first sailfish out of Boynton Beach.

We used the trolling motor to quietly make our way towards the mangroves hoping to get a glimpse of a red, snook, trout, ounder, or any inshore species willing to bite. As we approached the shore, we noticed another bull shark working the shore and of course I had to make a cast or two at him, but he had no interest in my o ering. We kept working the shore and nally it happened for Neil!!! He made a long cast and almost as soon as the lure hit the water, he was on with a nice sh, but we couldn’t see what it was. He started gaining ground getting it closer; enjoying the ght and then it happened! e sh came unbuttoned and at this point I was like dude, what did you do in a previous life to deserve this??? We made our way toward a dock that I know holds snook. I made a long cast and right then I was hooked up with a huge sh. It was a big snook; I got her to the boat, revived her, and released her to ght another day.

eptember is the last of the brutally hot summer months, unfortunately, it’s not the end of hurricane season. That can make for some major changes in the weather, but with that comes the start of the mullet migration, aka, the mullet run. This gets everybody pretty excited. I’m a big fan of the very beginning and the end. The middle can be a little bit frustrating as there is just millions of bait fish, but I still recommend everybody gets out there and try to make something happen, the show is worth it every single time. You’ll see schools of baitfish so thick that you can’t spot individual mullet. Tarpon, sharks, snook, and lots of other predators will literally be doing cartwheels through the school with their mouths open.

The freshwater in September is generally a little slower for me. The water temperature by midday will sometimes be approaching triple digits and while we still catch plenty of fish, you just have to revive them and keep the fights short. Peacock bass should be easy to locate and catch. They will be hiding in the shade lines of docks and seawalls. If you don’t mind fishing at night, the clown knife bite, especially around the full moon, should be pretty crazy.

Success! I said, “let’s go to lunch and call it a day”. I asked Neil if he was hungry and then he disclosed to me that he ate a banana for breakfast! Neil knows not to bring bananas on the boat (it’s bad luck), but it didn’t occur to him that the curse would remain in e ect with it digesting in his stomach. Myth con rmed or was it bad luck? He should’ve brought his lucky rabbit foot!!!

Here’s a couple of tips for getting bites in the middle of the chaos. First thing is the rigging; 6 feet of 50-pound fluorocarbon or heavier if you like and a thin wire, 8/0 circle hook or 6/0, if the baits happen to be smaller.

As far as the Everglades, water levels are going to be back up and the fish will be spread out throughout the marsh. It could make for some tough fishing but there are still bass to be caught.

Keith

Keith Lozott The Fishing Realtor

Lozott The Fishing Realtor

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Brandon from Ontario caught a beautiful blackfin tuna.

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JUPITER INLET INSHORE

Fishing Forecast

The start of fall! September is a fantastic month for the Palm Beaches. Fall mullet run migration invades local areas, bait schools migrate south, and predator fish follow crashing and feeding on these schools putting on quite a spectacle.

Snook fishing is excellent as they can be targeted along beaches, inlets, seawalls, and docks. A Rapala Topwater Skitter Walk is an excellent choice for explosive strikes. D.O.A. Bait Busters entice snook to strike near surface and subsurface. The mullet schools are great areas to locate snook.

Jiselle with her first tarpon.

School of Fish gang with a black tip shark.

Bridges, docks, and channel edges will also produce plenty of drag screaming snook action. Snook gather in pods at times, with their average size ranges from 5 to 25 pounds.

The tarpon will show off their acrobatic leaps and jumps. Anglers bow to the king!

Tarpon fans can enjoy drag screaming runs and epic battles. Live mullet on the surface trigger massive strikes. The average size of the tarpon ranges from 10 to 80 pounds. Artificial enthusiasts - Rapala X-Rap, D.O.A. Bait Busters, and D.O.A. TerrorEyz are great baits to get the drag screaming.

The flats and ICW are great areas to target snook, jacks, goliath grouper, drum, and many other species for rod bending action. Structure areas, potholes, and grass flats hold bait schools where predator fish will follow. For anglers who want steady action, nothing beats a live mullet, just cast one out along drop-offs or structure and hold on tight. Nothing beats seeing a predator fish exploding on a live bait, it puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Well, that is the fishing report for September, hope you all enjoyed. Remember, you can’t catch them from the couch, so get out there and get hooked up. Tight lines!

Gabbie with a juvenile tarpon, one of two she caught that day.

Welcome to the fishing forecast for September. Let’s talk about the fall run of kingfish. They will be on the smaller side, but in good numbers. Kings will be holding in 70’ to 120’ of water. If the bite is slow, try drifting a little deeper in 180’ of water. This is the time of year to scale down the tackle, try using a smaller wire, like a #3 or #4. The reef bite will be good; yellowtail, mutton, and vermilion snapper will be holding up in 60’ to 90’ of water. Scaling down for the snapper bite is important too. Try a light leader, like 30lb., and a smaller black hook, like a #4.

The inshore bite will be heating up with the mullet run, so look for huge black masses near the shore. Sharks, giant jacks, and tarpon will feed on these baits. The key is not to cast into the school, but to work the outer edge. Bait tossed in the middle will get lost among all the other mullet. Use a small sinker to get your bait to swim under the school. If you can’t use mullet, use artificial baits - plugs, spoons, and jigs will work great. Cast them around the fringes of the school and hold on tight!

September winds will still be somewhat calm, so take advantage of them. Swords will be holding in the 1200’ to 1800’ range and will be eating live baits and rigged squid. You still have time for a chance to battle a gladiator of the deep!

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CAPT. CRAIG KORCZYNSKI

Inshore

It’s mullet time! We should start to see the first waves in the later weeks of the month on the beaches. As the month goes on, they will start to push into the Intracoastal. Drive the coast until you find a school of them and then find the nearest kayak launch. Try throwing an artificial lure that is the shape of the mullet, but a brighter or darker color to make it stand out. I like a Yo-Zuri TopKnock or a D.O.A. Bait Buster. Snook, tarpon, jacks, and sharks will be the main targets.

Offshore

The mullet run provides easy bait to run offshore with. I like to use finger mullet bottom fishing for mutton snapper and trolling for mahi mahi. Larger mullet in the 10-inch range are great for kingfish and sailfish. When you are targeting snapper, try using a leader in the 20-foot range tied to a Carolina rig or knocker rig depending on your drift. A longer leader is key when targeting bigger mutton snapper. If you are looking to hit the pelagic fish, look to slow troll the normal 90-200 foot of water with mullet, goggle eyes, or pilchards.

Freshwater

I use finger mullet for peacock bass. 20-pound leader and a 2/0 circle hook casting in and around structure and weed lines will get you on a few. For clown knifefish, try fishing the mid-water column and below by adding a pinch weight to your leader. Finger mullet and shiners will work well.

Ashley with a nice mahi mahi.

Scott with his first sailfish.

Everglades national park fishing

with

CAPT. STEVE PURSER

FloridaFlatsFishingAdventures.com • (954) 687-5848

FloridaFlatsFishingAdventures@gmail.com

CHASING SLAMS IN THE EVERGLADES:

My 2025 Friendly Flamingo Tournament Recap

Every year the Everglades National Park becomes the battleground for one of the most fun and competitive inshore fishing tournaments around—The Friendly Flamingo Tournament (FFT). With around 40 boats entering annually, this tournament isn’t just about bragging rights— it’s a full-day grind that challenges both skill and strategy.

The rules are simple but tough: anglers must catch and measure four species—redfish, trout, tarpon, and snook. The team with the longest total combined length wins. Miss one species, and your chances of cracking the top four basically vanish. It’s a test of consistency, versatility, and a little luck.

One of the coolest elements of the FFT is the “secret item” that gets revealed at the start of the day. Along with your measuring ruler, this item must appear in each fish photo submitted. It’s a smart system to make sure

ECO TOURISM

with Chris Thalmann

It seems like every summer here in coastal Florida, there’s a dire forecast for an assault on our shorelines by seaweed (sargassum). And every few years, the forecasts prove correct - at least for some of us. For better - and worse - 2025 is proving to be one of those years.

It’s not every beach, every day, or even every week this summer. Some beaches have had feet of the stuff regularly piling up, while others have barely had any at all. Often a few miles can make all the difference between a clear beach and a beach overwhelmed by sargassum.

Forecasting where and when sargassum is likely to arrive in particular locations is tricky. There’s science and math and computer modeling, but these methods are far from 100% reliable. Similar to weather forecasting, there’s plenty of uncertainty and interpretation.

Some of the uncertainty comes from sargassum itself. Unlike kelp and other seaweeds that are tethered to rocks and other structures on the ocean floor, sargassum is free floating. So, where it moves is entirely influenced by tides and currents, winds, and waves; all of which are constantly changing.

Like other ocean “seaweeds”, sargassum is a type of algae, a simple organism that has evolved just enough to thrive in the harsh ocean environment. If you look closely at a small piece, you’ll see lots of tiny round air bladders that help it float. Being at the ocean surface is important, because sargassum needs sunlight to survive. It makes its own food via photosynthesis, so without sunlight, sargassum will eventually die and sink to the bottom.

everything’s legit and no one’s recycling old pictures. It keeps everyone honest and on their toes.

This year, I teamed up with a fellow guide Brett. We kicked off with a strong morning bite, boating a solid 28-inch snook early and following it up with a decent spotted sea trout. The momentum had us hopeful. But as the heat rose and the tide shifted, the tarpon stayed elusive. We casted, poled, and chased shadows all day, but the silver king didn’t show.

In the end, we bowed out of contention, unable to complete the four-species slam. But even with the loss, it was far from a wasted trip. Good company, tough competition, and the Everglades—win or lose, you never really walk away empty-handed.

I still look back proudly on the year I won this tournament with my buddy Rick, a full five years ago now. Being an FFT Champion is something I’ll always carry with pride.

Whether you’re guiding, fishing solo, or just tagging along for the ride, the FFT is one of those special days where the community comes together, and the experience always outweighs the leaderboard. Until next year, tight lines!

I know many people would love for that to happen right about now. There’s no doubt that visiting a beach piled high with sargassum can be unpleasant. It’s slimy, smelly, and many people with allergies find it tough to be around. Though not as irritating as a red tide, heavy deposits produce a rotten egg-like smell that wafts well inland too.

Like other things good in moderation but not so great in the extreme - steak, chocolate cake, gelato - sargassum has plusses and minuses. On the ocean, it’s often loaded with shrimp and crabs and provides a safe and tasty hangout for turtles, birds, and fish to escape predators. Along the shoreline - in moderation - sargassum helps build resilient shorelines. Studies show naturally deposited beaches and dunes that contain sargassum hold up better against erosion from waves than re-nourished “manufactured” beaches with no sargassum. Sargassum also provides valuable nutrients for plants, whose roots also help reinforce and strengthen beaches and dunes.

And while huge amounts of sargassum on a beach may be great for some foraging wildlife, too much all at once can deter sea turtles from nesting and make it impossible for hatchling turtles to even find the ocean. Like many things in nature, it’s all about balance.

Hope to see you on the water!

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MISSOURI ANGLER REELS IN MASSIVE 86.8-POUND BLUE CAT

An angler from the Midwest recently had a !shing experience to remember along the banks of the Missouri River near St. Louis.

Wally Klein hooked an enormous 86.8-pound blue cat!sh—an incredible catch that tested both his !shing technique and physical strength.

Using gizzard shad as bait and a standard rod-and-reel setup, Klein fought the powerful !sh before !nally bringing it ashore near Washington, Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

A er snapping a quick photo to commemorate his achievement, Klein released the massive cat!sh back into the river unharmed.

Klein told MDC o cials it was the largest !sh he’s ever caught. e department congratulated him on the impressive feat, saying, “Congrats on this impressive !sh.”

e Missouri River is a well-known destination for trophy cat!sh, particularly blue cat!sh, which are prized for their size and their spirited !ghts—making them a favorite and true challenge among seasoned anglers.

Klein’s cat!sh was a monster, but it didn’t quite break the state record — which was also set in the Missouri River. Back in 2010, Greg Bernal landed a 130-pound blue cat!sh, a catch that was a world record at the time.

Want to learn more about cat shing Missouri’s big rivers?

Visit: https://mdc.mo.gov/ shing/species/cat sh/big-river-cat shing.

SNOOK FISHING WITH ARTIFICIAL SHRIMP

Capt. Mike Smith

The common snook, a.k.a. linesider, a.k.a. robalo, is one of the most sought a er game!sh in Florida waters. Sportsmen and women from all over the world come to Florida to catch these hard !ghting, jumping, head shaking, drag pulling !sh.

Snook will de!nitely eat top water lures, jigs, jerkbaits, wake baits, suspending hard baits, spoons, and ies but they love arti!cial shrimp.

Arti!cial shrimp will catch snook all year long; day or night; salt or fresh water; in every ecosystem, anywhere that snook live.

One of the best ways to catch snook with arti!cial shrimp is skipping them under and around structures like mangrove branches, docks, sea walls, sand bars and oyster bars. Pitch the shrimp to the structure and let it sink. en give it a twitch, twitch and let it sink again, then twitch, twitch and repeat the process until your arms get tired of reeling in linesiders..

Snook like a slower retrieve in the cooler months. Make sure to slow it down when the water temperatures approach the 70 degree level or less. A faster retrieve works better when water temperatures are between 75 and 85 degrees. Snook o en stop biting when water temperatures get above 90 degrees.

Another great characteristic of the arti!cial shrimp is that it skips like a dream. e 3 inch shrimp is the go to arti!cial shrimp lure for most hardcore snook !shermen. However, there are days when the snook are more discerning and a 2.75 inch or a larger 4 inch shrimp is the better size and pro!le choice.

e best color choices for shrimp lures are transparent, natural colors with gold or silver glitter in them for sunny days and clear water scenarios. More opaque and darker colors work better in dirty water and on cloudy days.

Many !shermen struggle when !shing arti!cial lures into tight cover scenarios. Sometimes, it takes about 50 casts and the loss of a half dozen shrimp lures to perfect the technique. But it is de!nitely a skill that any serious snook !sherman needs to master.

Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass O Charters, is an inshore shing guide who has been shing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass ats of Florida for more than 40 years. Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact@ shyourasso .com or visit shyourasso .com.

Unlocking Fall Panfish Patterns

Whether for sport or for the table, pan!sh—especially slab crappies and hand-sized bull bluegills—are a favorite target among anglers. And when the air cools and leaves start to fall, pan!sh !shing heats up. Autumn can be one of the best times to catch these !sh, but it comes with a unique set of challenges. Changing vegetation, dropping water temperatures, lake turnover, and bait!sh migrations can make !nding pan!sh feel like solving a seasonal puzzle.

Fortunately, by learning to read these fall cues you’ll consistently !nd success on the water.

As lake temperatures cool and turnover occurs, bait!sh begin shi ing toward shallower cover where they can !nd safety and warmth. is movement sets o a chain reaction. Pan!sh follow the food, o en stacking up around cover like submerged wood or rocky structure. ese areas become prime real estate for fall !shing.

Weather plays a major role, too. On cold, blustery fall days, pan!sh o en slide deeper, becoming more predictable and easier to !nd with electronics. Deep basin areas in 20 to 25 feet of water can light up with schools of crappies—and sometimes bluegills—suspended and ready to bite. ese deeper !sh are o en aggressive, making for a rewarding but ethically sensitive bite. When !shing at those depths, barotrauma becomes a real issue. Released !sh o en don’t survive, even if they swim o , so it’s important to harvest what you catch, regardless of size.

On the ip side, when the weather is mild and

the sun is out, pan!sh can be found shallower, relating to weedlines, cribs, and brush piles. Healthy, vertical weeds are a magnet for fall pan!sh and can hold !sh all the way into !rst ice. In fact, some of the best fall bluegill bites happen in just !ve to eight feet of water, especially in lakes where dense, green weedbeds persist.

Lake size also in uences fall behavior. On smaller lakes—200 acres or less—dropping water temps and decaying weeds tend to concentrate !sh even more. As long as green weeds remain, pan!sh will hold tight to them. But as those weeds die o , the !sh begin to push toward deeper structure or out into the basins in preparation for winter.

Crappies in particular become more predictable in the fall, o en schooling up tighter and acting more aggressively than during other seasons. ey’re easier to pattern as they transition from summer haunts to winter basins, o en stopping along the way at deep weedlines or submerged timber. In lakes with ample wood or crib structure, these can be hotspots that hold large schools well into late fall.

Bluegills, while more opportunistic and scattered, still relate strongly to weed edges and shallow cover when the conditions are right. eir adaptability means they can be caught both shallow and deep, but they may take more searching to !nd than their crappie counterparts.

Despite the variables, the recipe for fall pan!sh

success remains relatively consistent: follow the forage, !nd healthy weeds or cover, and adjust based on the weather. Whether you’re chasing aggressive schools of crappies in deep water or hunting bluegills in shallow weed patches, fall o ers a window of opportunity that savvy anglers won’t want to miss.

THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS: Naturally in Rhythm—No

Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, the US Virgin Islands embody a harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural vibrancy, and laid-back serenity. ese islands are more than just a picturesque getaway; they are a living testament to nature’s rhythm and resilience, e ortlessly in tune with the world around them.

With no passport required for U.S. citizens, from the moment you arrive, the islands’ natural rhythm is palpable. e gentle sway of palm trees, the soothing sound of surf crashing against sandy shores, and the vibrant melodies of local music all echo the heartbeat of this tropical paradise. e islands’ lush landscapes, with their verdant hills and crystal-clear waters, mirror the steady pulse of life that sustains the local ecosystems and communities alike.

e US Virgin Islands’ environment is a symphony of biodiversity with world class !shing and diving. ese natural elements are not static; they dance in harmony, in uenced by the tides, wind, and seasonal changes— further emphasizing the islands’ intrinsic rhythm. is delicate balance underscores the importance of conservation e orts, ensuring that future generations continue to

experience the islands’ natural cadence.

Culturally, the US Virgin Islands are equally in tune. e music, dance and festivals re ect a vibrant heritage rooted in African, European and Caribbean traditions. e spirited calypso beats and reggae rhythms are expressions of life's ongoing dance—celebrating resilience, community and joy. ese cultural expressions are an extension of the islands’ natural rhythm, showcasing how human life here moves seamlessly

with nature’s ow.

In a world o en dictated by chaos and rapid change, the US Virgin Islands serve as a reminder of the beauty of being in sync with nature’s tempo. eir natural, cultural and ecological rhythms o er a blueprint for sustainable living and harmony. As travelers and residents alike continue to embrace this rhythm, they uphold a legacy of balance—one that celebrates life’s natural ow and the enduring spirit of these remarkable islands. In the US Virgin Islands, being in rhythm isn’t just an ideal; it’s a way of life.

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CHANGE IS ON THE WAY

Tim Barefoot

September is a peculiar month. Some of the hottest days of the year, hurricane season is in full swing and the !rst northeast winds and cold fronts are about to occur. is is the time of year when wahoo and yellow!n can be caught right up against the beach on big schools of cigar minnows and sardines, or out in the deeper water. ere is no rhyme or reason to it this time of year; these !sh simply follow the bait schools

is is also the time of year when scamp grouper are very vulnerable. If you have the ability to keep a pin!sh trap in the water, it’s a good idea to take live pin!sh with you o shore for a number of reasons. One, pin!sh are very hearty and will live until the end of the day in the live well. Two, they are very sought a er by scamps because scamps view them as egg eaters and will kill them (eat them) so they don’t eat their eggs. And three, they are readily available at all !sh cleaning stations, at most marinas. Yes, I strongly suggest taking two or three boxes of frozen cigar minnows for bait, but live pin!sh are a ringer for scamps and other grouper/ snapper species in the deeper water.

with a cigar minnow. Proof is in the pudding...and here’s your proof. I’ve always said if you !nd the bait you !nd the !sh, and if you !nd big marks of bait (cigs, sardines, tinks, beeliners etc…) you’ll !nd the !sh. It’s always a good thing to have a “spotlight trolling motor” option to be able to sit on the bait or at least slow your dri in currents, but !sh under the bait on or near the bottom for grouper and snappers and keep the light line out for all the pelagics.

Designate one person in the crew to keep multiple light-line baits tended. Do not let this person get complacent and start bottom !shing. e same person should stay focused on the baits and working the Sabiki for whatever bait is below the boat. I’ve always said “Don’t walk in a Chinese restaurant and order a pizza,” meaning whatever is there is what they’re eating! A couple obvious execptions to this is pin!sh on the bottom and greenies/sardines; these baits are universal. We can’t keep gag grouper this time of year or American red snapper, but you can de!nitely !ll the box with other species.

September is when you will see all the tropical species in places you don’t normally see them. All the tropical snappers are everywhere now. Frozen cigar minnows on the Squid Decoy Jig are a wonderful option, but live cigs and sardines are a “whole nother story.” As shown in the photo, the all-time IGFA world record scamp was caught on the 12 ounce

Be ready for that big bite on the light line by choosing your tackle wisely as well. Yes, you need to keep the leader ( oro and wire) size small to get the bites, but use the correct size hooks, reel and line capacity to handle bigger !sh. Like I mentioned earlier, this is the time of year when wahoo are everywhere...and nowhere. You could catch a giant wahoo or tuna inshore, or in the deep water, just be prepared for it and be ready to chase it down if need be. e kite is always a great option if you have the team that can y the kite and bottom !sh simultaneously as it can be a challenge with wind speed, direction and current.

Learn more from Tim Barefoot on his YouTube channel and at barefootcatsandtackle.com.