Cooler weather has settled in and a solid shallow water redfish bite is the highlight of inshore fishing right now. The speckled trout bite continues to improve as speck schools are running the tide, and there are also some flounder still around.



Redfish have been the strongest inshore action.Anglers have been catching them on Gulp! imitation shrimp and various soft baits with jig heads. Fluke shapes and curly-tailed lures have been working and anglers have been using green, chartreuse, and new penny soft baits.

Redfish can be caught around the creek mouths as the tide starts really moving toward low. They are also schooling around bridges, piers, and docks. There are also reds in the surf that can be targeted with cut bait, especially fresh mullet.

Speckled trout are staging morning bites around creeks, structure, and points. If you can get them live shrimp are still the best bet while they are available. Some bait stores still have them. You can also use Gulp soft baits and imitation shrimp. Some trout have been caught in the surf by anglers using MirrOlure plugs.



Flounder are still around and hitting live minnows. Finger mullet or mud minnows are the best offerings. The best flounder fishing is near structure now and not drifting or trolling. Big flounder are close to pilings.



The piers never saw a decent spot run. There have been some nice sea mullet caught on the piers and in the surf, and the snapper blues are still hitting as well. Surf fishermen should use cut mullet or fresh shrimp.

As always, black drum are around and hitting well if anyone is fishing for them. Cut shrimp right against bridge, pier and dock pilings after dark will catch them.

For more fishing reports and articles see my blog A Dash of Salty.