September to remember
The gulf and bay waters start cooling down this time of year. As the water temperature cools down the fishing heats up. Over the years I’ve caught my biggest West Coast grand slams when the water temperature drops below 80 degrees.
Even though the average water temperature this time of year is around 83 degrees — on overcast days or after several days of rain in a row, and the water cools down below 80 degrees — I like to take my charters out on the West Coast Grand Slam challenge to see how we can get the longest combined inches of snook, redfish and trout.
Several inshore captains on Florida’s West Coast specialize in grand slams. During spring and fall, inshore anglers hire inshore captains to compete in grand slam tournaments. There is a handful of captains who win these tournaments year after year. When they win people say, “Oh, Captain so-and-so is so lucky!” There is very little luck involved with a consistent grand-slam winner. These grand slam captains know where the bigguns live and how to catch ’em. Below are a few tips:
Grand slam tip #1 – Use lighter mono leader in clearer water, and if the water gets murky you can use heavier leader.
Grand slam tip #2 – When fishing with live baitfish or live shrimp, use a small hook. I like a 1.0 or 2.0 Mustad short shank “J” hook tied with a loop knot. It keeps your bait swimming more lively and looks more natural to the gamefish.
Grand slam tip #3 – When fishing flowing water over grass flats or oyster bars, use a bobber to keep your bait from hooking into the grass or oysters. If the water depth is 4-feet-deep, set your bait 3 and one-half feet deep under the bobber.
Grand slam tip #4 – In water temperature over 80 degrees, as the tide slackens, find a shady mangrove overhang or dock and cast a cutbait mullet, pinfish, threadfin, ladyfish, sand perch or greenback and stick your rod in the rod holder — wait for it to bend.
Grand slam tip #5 – Don’t spend too much time focused on one fish. If you can’t get the snook to hit, switch to trout, if you can’t get the trout to hit, switch to redfish. I like to get one of each and then figure out what species is the easiest to upgrade inches on.
Grand slam tip #6 – Sign up for Purple Heart of the Bay Grand Slam Fishing Tournament to benefit the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation. The tournament will take place on Sept. 10, one day before 9/11 Remembrance Day, at Hooks Waterfront Bar and Grill. There will be an Open Division and a Pro Division. In the Pro Division you will fish with your three guests, a full time/full-service captain who specializes in grand slam tournaments, and a Purple Heart Veteran. Live music, fish fry, barbecue and over $10,000 in cash and prizes. To sign up, or for information, visit www.purpleheartofthebay.com.
For a charter with Captain Joel Brandenburg, call 813-267-4401, or visit www.anabananafishing.com.