The redfish bite is as good as it's ever been in the Big Bend region of Florida. Over the last couple weeks we've caught more redfish per trip that I can remember. The trout are biting well too, but it's been tough to get a limit of trout because we're catching so many redfish.
Schools of baitfish are prevalent in 3 foot of water and the redfish are heavy in those spots. If you see baitfish schooling near oyster bars, you'll almost always get a few redfish to bite. Enjoy this action while you can. Once the cooler temperatures arrive, the baitfish will head south and the red action might not be as hot.
As long as the baitfish are still on the flats, our bait of choice is still pinfish. We have started using shrimp again and will fish more shrimp as the water temperatures cool into the winter months. We've also been throwing some artificial lures (mainly Redfins) and are getting some bites on those.
Despite not having much rain over the last couple months, the water color is great. We like to see that stained color to the water as opposed to clear water. Fish will spook easier in clear water and so it's much easier to get closer to the fish in stained water.
This weekend should provide some amazing flats fishing. As we move into the cooler months, we have to keep an eye on rapid temperature changes. The cool spell expected next weekend might slow the trout bite for a few days. Anytime the water temperature changes quickly, the trout will need a few days to adjust.
The rapid water temperature changes usually don't bother the reds much because their skin and scales are much thicker. Either way, plan ahead and know that the bite may not be as good during a cold shock. Save those really cold weekends for the deer woods and the warmer ones for your flats fishing trips.
This fishing report is brought to you by Captain Jason Witherspoon of Spoon Fed Charters in Keaton Beach, Florida.