October had some of the best tailing red fishing of the year. The air temperature stayed warm, and the water temperature stayed above the magic number of 70 degrees. The Full Moon tides the first of the month didn’t push much water into the marsh, but the New Moon tides of the middle of the month offered anglers shots at twelve to fifteen fish on a tide. These fish were in the flooded grass feeding heavily on fiddler crabs. A well placed black toad fly was rarely overlooked.
The trout seem to have recovered from the freezes of several years ago. Lots of fish are being caught in clear, moving water. Almost any oyster bar or bank is holding fish at this time of the year. The Cystic Fibrosis Red/Trout tournament was held during the first weekend of October. Twenty six boats competed in the tournament this year, and the winning boat landed over 100 trout on the final day. Needless to say, there are plenty of trout to be caught in the Golden Isles this fall. I had some good anglers in the Maverick for the tournament. They landed some nice fish and we placed sixth overall. Thanks to you all for your hard work.
November will bring cooling water. As the water cools, it clears and the red fish begin forming the large winter schools. I am looking forward to the clear water, low tide sight fishing winter brings to the Marshes of Glynn. On nice days during the winter it is possible to fish to several different schools of 50 to over 100 red fish during low tides. These fish are extremely spooky, and sometimes lighter weight gear comes into play. When the wind is down and when the water slick calm is the time to break out the seven, six and even five weight fly rods for a stealthy, subtle approach to our reds.
Trout fishing can be at its peak during November. The fish are larger and seem to be hungrier as the weather cools. There are times when you get a strike on every cast.
Just because the weather is getting cooler does not mean the fishing is. Our fishing can be red hot in cool weather. Take an early winter/late fall break and spend a few days, “Hunting Fish in the Marshes of Glynn.”
Capt. David Edens
