While many of our favorite local targets are heading out of the bay to winter in offshore or more southerly waters, some of our best inshore fishing is really heating up as the water cools. April showers bring May flowers, but 3 weeks of Northeast winds bring coastal flooding and early-onset trout fever. By the end of the month, we should see markedly clearer water and the thickest run (although usually not the biggest fish) of speckled trout moving up toward their favorite wintering holes. But I digress; while the trout are coming in already, the mainstay of the show I’ve been watching is the puppy drum.
Redfish are in their comfort zone, and this year has been a banner one for this area and these drag-pulling marsh monsters. As the temperatures cooled, they started moving up into their shallow haunts, attacking lures and flies recklessly. Crazy colors are still working, but as the month of October moves on, the subtlety of natural colors will be the ideal move. Flies that get down fast are the way to go, and all the water pushing in from the consistent winds (in conjunction with a king tide) has had them moving way into the back. Some days that looked like perfect opportunities to seek out tailing fish only gave small windows when the water was getting too deep on many of our traditional tailing flats. If this is your game, the week of October 16 (full moon) will offer up several of these opportunities again. The second week seems to have the right timing for more traditional sight fishing for redfish, and belly crawlers should be abundant on both the incoming and outgoing tides. Pay close attention to the gentle slither barely breaking the surface of the water. That isn’t another mullet and plenty of really big mullet are around. As the water continues to cool throughout the fall, keep an eye on the bottom that you’re fishing. Many fish are still on hard sandy bottoms, but it won’t be long before they’re seeking the comfort of something warmer and muddier.
Trout are in “drive-you-crazy” season and are moving back and forth as the Virginia weather tries to decide between summer and winter. One day, the wintering holes seem to be the way to go, and the next, they’re near points at the mouths of inlets. By the end of the month, the parking lots for the Elizabeth River boat ramps will be full early in the morning. While it is a world-class fishery for winter specks, don’t overlook some other great riverine locations like Lynnhaven, the Back River, the James, and the Eastern Shore. Live bait is highly productive on nearly any species, but replicating mullet with artificial lures or flies can certainly be highly successful when targeting bigger fish. I’m a fan of shrimp patterns when trying to catch several fish, and a shrimp placedor swung through the right locations can certainly attract bigger trout, too. On the early side of the month, don’t overlook topwaters. They’re great first thing in the morning, and right at sunset, but on those rainy and windy days only perfect for speckled trout anglers, they can bring spectacular strikes from really nice trout. I tend to wait until the water cools down a bit more, but I’d be remiss to talk about speckled trout without suggesting Mirrolures and Paul Brown lures. If you want to hold off on using them, you should still get over to your favorite tackle shop and buy your favorite colors/models before they get picked over. If one of your favorites starts to be rumored as the color combo working best, they’ll be gone before you know it.
Rockfish seem to be getting a little more active as I write this, but they will pick up throughout the month of October and November. The bridges, islands, and tunnels are a great place to look for them, particularly in our larger rivers. While it’s nothing like it used to be, diving birds in the bay should also be investigated. The season opens on October 4, allowing 1 fish per angler 19” to 24”. I have to believe this is the last swing at avoiding a moratorium, so even if you find some fish in the slot, strongly consider letting it swim off. The Eastern Shore and marsh areas north of the James will present more opportunities for stripers earlier in the season. Again, topwaters should be strongly considered when it makes sense, and as we get later into the year, start considering more jerk-lures and rat tails that will sink quickly but swim erratically. Fly anglers know that these fish can’t resist a Clouser Minnow, and they can be tied well up to 4/0.
Flounder are in the inlets and on structure, ready to make their way out to their winter haunts, so get on them while you can. Blues are also still around temporarily, but hitting the oceanside is better if you're looking for any size.
Enjoy October. As an inshore guy, I don’t think there’s a better month to fish our backcountry.
If you want to learn more about fishing in super-skinny water, join me at the Great Bridge Fishing Association meeting on October 7th as I discuss strategies for catching these targets in two feet or less – or just give me a call, and we’ll figure out how to get on the water! Be safe out there, catch ‘em up, and Happy Halloween!
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