10/02/2026
Well, gag season has officially come to an end. What a ride. Hopefully, you got your fish if you wanted it.
Snook season is still going strong and fish are being caught around the area. Our fall pattern for fishing is juuuuussssstttt about here. The bait is piling up, the birds are working more, the mackerel have moved in, and the bonita are officially nearshore!
It's going to be a great fall run.
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Bonita
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Let's jump into one of the more controversial fish. The bonita.
People hate on this fish left and right, but I dare you to throw a popper, metal jig, or bucktail and frown when that drag starts rippin'. When the water around you explodes and the birds are diving, you're telling me you'd rather sit arms crossed and leave the rod in the rod holder?
You're fired. Not a chance.
These fish hit hard and fight all the way to the boat. I'd recommend having a 7'6"-8' rod ready with a 6k at least. There are some biggins mixed in, so although a 4k can get it done, step that up a little.
Also, if you haven't dipped your toe into the topwater popper game, do it. A blowup on a popper is one of the most exciting things there is. Take a look at what's in that boneheads mouth.
So point west and start looking around 10 miles from Egmont. From there, let the birds tell you where to go. Make a long, long cast and go ahead and try to out-reel the fish.
Gear --> 8' MH with a 6k spooled up with 20lb braid for long casts
Where --> Start looking around the 10-mile mark from Egmont. From there, follow the birds
Bait/Lures --> Poppers, metal jigs, bucktails, or flat-line a bait and drift. But get a popper. I use a Halco Tackle Roosta popper 135
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Mangrove Snapper
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Mangrove snapper are piled up on the inshore reefs. They are fat and happy with the bait we are seeing come through the bay.
If you're on a boat, hit the St. Pete Reef, chum up, and send a chunk bait, shrimp, or pilchard down on a E&N Jigs-N-Rigs. It'll get bit.
If you're on foot, swing by the bridges and drop a decent shrimp (nothing too big) or a pilchard. Looks like the fish are fattening up for their offshore send, so enjoy the size and bite for the next few weeks (maybe).
Where --> Local reefs from a boat. Bridges and some piers by foot. I'd focus on bridges. The piers have so much pressure
Gear --> 4k, 7' rod, 20-30lb braid and 30lb mono if you can get away with it
Bait --> Live shrimp, cut threads, pilchards
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Redfish
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Redfish have been turning up and we are seeing the schools to prove it. We are moving into artificial territory now. Throwing a gold flutter spoon will get that classic strike we've been waiting for.
Of course BAITMASTERS/Aylesworth's cut bait will still work, but a spoon covers a lot more ground and allows for more active fishing.
Ideally, you'd work oyster beds in the morning and let that spoon clack around the shells making a racket. Redfish love shiny, stanky, and loud. So bumping a spoon on an oyster bed gives them that 2 for 3.
Gear --> 3k/4k, 7'-7'6" MH and 20lb braid
Where --> Papis Point/Goog Island and south to Tarpon Key
Bait --> 1/2oz gold flutter spoons, live shrimp, cut bait
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Snook
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Snook have really dialed it up since that last cold front. The bait is here to support their appetite and they are getting thick. Interior bridges and neighborhood docks have been lighting it up.
The evening bite or early morning bite has been most productive. That grunt bite is still locked in, but as the pilchards get bigger, these will take the top spot.
If you're on foot, look for small bridges that are well lit. Make sure the bait is around and you have some tidal flow. Work the edges of the lights.
I'd recommend Fish Seaguar fluoro, but the pound test is trial and error. You're fishing snook near structure. The likelihood of getting pulled around a piling is almost guaranteed.
On a boat? Mangrove edges near flats, bigger bridges in the evening or morning, docks and pilings. If you can sit tight and live chum the area, there's a good opportunity for you.
Gear --> 4k-6k, 7' MH, 30lb+ braid
Where --> Structure with light and bait. Mangroves on grass flats
Bait --> Jumbo shrimp, pilchards, small ladyfish
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Trout
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Trout are starting to show back up with some force. We are seeing many small fish, but the big fish are there. You'll just have to wade through them.
Ryan Mills got himself some dinner the other day.
Still deeper flats, but just about the 4'-5' depths. They'll get closer as the water cools slightly, then you'll be tired of them.
Live shrimp under a cork with a 1/0 Glaucus circle, focusing on where the flat and sand meet, is a good start. Give the flats off Coffee Pot a shot or head south to the Coquina Key area.
Gear --> 3k, 7' M/ML
Where --> Grass flats starting at 4'
Bait --> Live shrimp under a cork
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As always, keep the reports and pictures coming. A lot of what makes these reports useful comes from you guys actually being on the water. If you're catching them, let us know what's working. It all helps paint the picture.
Fall is knocking. Let's go fishing.
See y'all at Riviera.
Photo/info cred::
Bob D Bone
Jesse Merritt
CaptAnthony Corcella
Pocket Change Inshore Fishing Charters
Braden Crookston
Corwin’s Adventures
Matt Faiella
Aloha Angler Charters
