Doc on September Fishing

One good thing about the month of September is that it usually provides coast residents - angler and non-angler alike - with some relief from the midsummer heat. The other good thing is that it also provides the same kind of relief to the fish, who show their appreciation by moving back into the nearshore shallows in increased numbers.

September's nearshore offerings will continue to be the same type of mixed-bag that fishermen have enjoyed all season long. If there is a single nearshore standout at summer's end, my vote goes to the mighty jack crevalle. These big bruisers will prowl the front beaches in search of mullet and other bait fish with clockwork regularity this month. And they are not the least bit shy about running down a fast-moving spoon, Mirrolure, or other artificial bait either. Be forewarned though that the jack crevalle is among the most formidable of light tackle foes, and many a Mitchell 300 and Ambassadeur 5000 have succumbed to a jack's sizzling initial run. Their reputation as tackle-busters has plenty of veteran Gulf Coast anglers scurrying to get out of the water at the first hint that a school of jacks is about the pass through the area.

September also usually signals the last month that cobia and tripletail will be available in good numbers around the navigational markers in the Sound. By the end of the month and certainly before the middle of October these fella's will start to move out into deeper Gulf waters where they are less accessible to the average fisherman. In the meantime though, there's still plenty of lemonfish and blackfish action in store for anyone up to the challenge.

Other migratory pelagics like sharks, king and Spanish mackerel, and bonito will also continue to hang around until the water temperatures drive them farther offshore as well. Trolling the barrier island passes with a Tony Acetta or Reflecto spoon anytime in the coming several weeks is sure to result in a hookup with one of these gamesters.

Depending on temperature, it is not unusual to begin to see spawning red drum begin to move into the waters of Mississippi Sound by the end of September. These big bruisers also will succumb to a well-fished spoon, and they generally make their initial showing around the Cat Island Channel and then gradually fan out and distribute themselves throughout the Sound where they will thrill neashore anglers with their powerful runs well into the Fall.

Of course, everyone's favorite - the Spotted Seatrout - will also be seen in increased numbers in the creels of nearshore wade and pier fishermen as the summer begins to wind down. But it is the bay and backwater angler that will benefit most from the fish's late summer and early fall movements. Here, September's trout fishing will show a clear improvement over last month's. October's will be better still; and by November it is the bay and backwater fisherman that will be catching the lion's share of the trout. Just as among front beach wade and pier fishermen, many bay anglers also enjoy great success with trout fishing live shrimp. But there are plenty of others who also catch their share of fish on Cocahoe Minnows, Mirrolures, and other artificials. It is really a matter of personal preference. Stick with the bait that the fish prefer at any given time, and you'll usually catch fish. Its that simple...