Inshore Fall Fishing…..Follow The Fish Movement

The cooler temperatures of fall bring lots of changes. The kids have gone back to school, and the days by the pool are gone until next year. Most of all, it means that we’re just now entering one of the best times of year for inshore fishing, especially if you’re fishing for Redfish or Speckled Trout. Just like our lives change with the seasons, so does the way we fish as the weather and water become cooler.

You need to understand that fish like Redfish and Speckled Trout have two types of migratory patterns that play an important part in our fall fishing. First, we have the fish that stay here year-round. These are the fish we catch in the heat of summer, the cold of winter, and everything in between. The other segment is the migrating Reds and Specs that come and go as water conditions and bait availability change.

During the cooler fall months, both groups are moving into productive inshore areas and preparing for the colder months by feeding heavily. This, combined with cooler water temperatures, makes these fish far more active in both their movement and feeding habits. Baitfish are also on the move, giving Redfish and Speckled Trout another reason to feed aggressively. More fish, more active fish, and hungry fish can only mean one thing: it’s a great time to be fishing.

To better locate the fish, I look for entry points coming in from the ocean, such as smaller cuts, creeks, inlets, or rivers. This is where many of the migratory fish will enter, and remember, they’re coming in looking for a food source. If the fish commonly make their home in a river, for example, look closely at the entrances and areas that provide easy access into that river. These locations can become natural travel routes for both the fish and the bait they are following.

They will also be looking for reliable access to bait. Once they locate the right combination of food, water conditions, and protection, these are often the areas where they will reside during the colder months. That makes finding these locations in the fall especially valuable because they may continue producing fish well into winter.

It’s important to know that Speckled Trout and Redfish will gorge themselves prior to the colder months, and that’s when your fishing can be at its best. Right now, all of this is beginning to take place, and the fishing is improving every day as conditions become more favorable. The next several weeks can provide some of the most consistent inshore action of the year, so get on the water and don’t miss out.