The fall bite turns on

I missed a couple of weeks out in Montana bow hunting for elk. I did not score on a big bull, but I had a lot of fun trying and enjoyed myself in the fall-colored mountains. When I got home the fall fishing was in full swing.

I have said it many times: October is my very favorite time of year. Snook are on fire and biting everywhere — really there are all the snook you want to catch. The redfishing has been very good as well; I have seen several nice schools and most we caught were slot fish in the 25-to-27-inch class. Trout are everywhere, and there are some nice 24-inch-plus mackerel mixed in with them.

Beach fishing was good until the last cold front — tarpon, sharks, kingfish and mackerel all mixed together — before the blow scattered them offshore. They should move back in with warming water and lighter winds. Offshore is about to fire up: kings are out there and moving closer, the snapper fishing is still very good, and there are plenty of keeper grouper out there too.