Spanish Mackerel have been biting early in the day on live shrimp, small live minnows, and lures. Live shrimp are usually fished under a float, but free-lining shrimp is a good tactic too. Small minnows are caught on a Sabiki rig, and fished in the same fashion. Using a float allows the angler to cast further, and keeps the bait suspended in the water column where Mackerel and other predators roam. Lures have been working well for the Mackerel, and there are several advantages to this approach. The casting plugs and spoons allow you to cover a great area of water in a short time, and there are few nibbles or stolen baits. The plugs are armed with multiple hooks, and strikes usually result in a fish on the line. Fish are removed easily if you use a pair of pliers to hold the plug and the fish usually shakes right off. The same lures used to target Mackerel also attract strikes from other species. These other fish may include King Mackerel, Ladyfish and Jack Crevalle.

We saw a flourish of Sand Sea Trout this month on Pier 60. Fish were adults in the 15-inch range, with some larger. The Sand Sea Trout look like the Spotted Sea Trout, minus the spots. We saw the bite for these fish mostly in the afternoons. Although there is no size limit or bag limit for these, fish over 15 inches provide a reasonable fillet when cleaned out.

Spotted Sea Trout have been active late afternoons and evenings. Live shrimp is a favorite bait, but grub-tail lures also work well. Lures also have the added benefit of catching mostly targeted species, and not having Pinfish steal the bait.

We have seen some nice Sheepshead come over the rail in September. The Sheepshead bite small cut shrimp fished next to the pilings. These members of the Porgy family will be around well into the colder months, so look for more of these tasty convicts in the weeks ahead.

Flounder have made a showing all month, with some fish from 12 to 16 inches. Look for the flatties to stay around for awhile, with larger fish taken as waters cool more.

Shoals of big bull Redfish have been seen swimming off the end of the pier, and large “muds” are a sure sign that a school of Reds is lurking below. Not a picky feeder, the Redfish fights with tenacity and power fishermen respect. Keepers must be slot-sized, 18 to 27 inches. Bag limit is one fish per day.

We have seen Tarpon almost every day on Pier 60. Fish are seen early in the mornings feeding on schools of small minnows. Anglers can still jump a Silver King here in September, and fish hang around well into October.

Most evenings Whiting can be found roaming the sandy areas around the pier. They like a variety of cut baits such as squid, finger mullet, or shrimp. Silver Perch have been seen here and there also.

One good way to fish for variety here is to use one of the larger-hooked Sabiki rigs we keep in the Tackle Center. Tipped with a bit of shrimp or squid, these rigs produce great results and fast action. Gamefish like Trout are attracted to all the excitement, and can be caught as well.

As usual, Sharks were seen, hooked and fought here on the pier this month. As more fish migrate through the area, the Sharks naturally follow and feed on the bounty.

Look for good fishing action to continue into October. As waters cool into the mid-seventies, there will be better water clarity with bait pods swarming around Pier 60. Cold fronts will trigger more fish migrations, and once the disruptive fronts pass, conditions should improve quickly.

Good Luck Fishing!