BlueWater Outriggers Fishing Report 9-12-2025
This morning my soon to be four-year-old clad in jean shorts and a Star Wars T-shirt said, “It’s Cold Dad.” While I found it a touch hyperbolic, the little guy was onto something. The ever so slight chill in the air was just enough to awaken some of the memories that have long been suppressed by relentless heat and tiresome battles with AC units all across the Forgotten Coast. The memories of which I speak are those of cool weather fishing where a heavy sweatshirt is the perfect attire and trout and redfish are ripe for the picking like low hanging fruit. Now folks I know it’s a bit premature of me to be speaking of such things, but I just can’t help myself. The close of scallop season this year marks a time when we get our small town back to ourselves for a bit. It marks a time when the loud live music from crowded bars and restaurants dissipates and is replaced by the echo of loudspeakers and cheers from hometown football games. A time when local boys and girls can dream of the upcoming parades down main street where candy falls from the sky like rain. It’s a time when I can fish the marina wall in the evenings and there is nary a soul except for the local die-hards. While it’s not time to pull the sweatshirt out of the closet yet, the time is coming, and I will dare to dream.
Though we’re a couple months short of busting out the beanies and the long sleeves there’s still a lot to be said for fishing right now. This last week was a time when most fish were free for the taking and the bite was on. I had the opportunity to go out with fellow employees Jake and Doug. We had a great time out there and took home a variety of species including Gag Grouper, Beeliners, Red Snapper, Porgies, and an impressive African Pompano that Jake hooked on a slow pitch jig in about 300 ft of water. We did find that the better bite was not quite that deep and was more productive in the 80-90 ft range. Captain Pete Barwick of Bounty Bay PSJ charters has been slaying out there and you can see his picture above (left); That guy got some absolute monsters!
Inshore fishing has been good too! I’ve had a steady flow of folks sending in pictures of their catch. The flounder bite has been plentiful. In my case I’ve caught a bunch of small ones, but I have seen some nice keepers come in. There have been some good speckled trout coming off the beaches recently. I was fishing the seawall on Wednesday and ran into my friend Dennis Magnetti. As we were talking, he hooked into and landed a giant Black Drum on his ultra-light. He can be seen above (center). Phil Fiscella has been sending in some pictures as well. He’s been fishing all over the area but sent me a picture of a nice Redfish he got fishing shallow water in the Indian Pass area. His photo can be seen above (right).
As our weather gets cooler, the fishing will heat up. It’s all very exciting and I can’t wait to be a part of it as I’m sure you’re aware. Bluewater Outriggers is stocking minnows for the fall crappie bite, and our winter apparel is starting to trickle in. We’ve been working hard to replenish our inventory and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the latest and greatest fishing rods, reels and tackle. The new Shimano line should be in store soon and we’ve got some killer inshore rods to pair them with. If you’re into this stuff...you get it; you know what I’m talking about and where this premature craze is coming from. As you enter your vehicle tomorrow morning, enjoy not having to blast the AC and dream of cooler months to come. As always, I look forward to seeing you out there.
-Jeremiah Beasley