October 2024 - Kingfish & Redfish Season

October brought some of the best fishing of the year, with large redfish schools moving across the flats. Many of these fish were upper-slot and oversized, making for exciting battles. Live mullet and pinfish were top baits, and those fishing incoming tides around mangrove points found nonstop action.

The kingfish run was in full force, with big smokers hitting slow-trolled threadfins and live blue runners just off the beaches. Spanish mackerel were thick as well, providing fast action for light tackle anglers.

Nearshore, gag grouper were aggressive, as cooler waters brought them closer to shore. Fishing over rock piles and ledges in 30–60 feet of water produced excellent results.

🔹 Best Bait: Live mullet for redfish; slow-trolled threadfins for kingfish; live pinfish for grouper

🔹 Hot Spots: Egmont Key for kingfish; oyster bars in Sarasota Bay for redfish; nearshore reefs for grouper