Fishing Forecast: Redfish, Trout, and Offshore Action in the Florida Gulf

As of October 24, 2024, the fishing scene in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly along Florida's coast, is looking promising. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Tidal Report Today, the high tide is expected around 10:30 AM, and the low tide will be at 4:30 PM. These tidal changes are crucial, especially for inshore fishing, as they push fish into more active feeding areas. ### Weather The weather is forecasted to be partly cloudy with a gentle breeze from the east at about 10 mph. Water temperatures are in the low 70s to upper 60s, which is ideal for fall fishing. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at 6:30 PM. These times are perfect for targeting fish that are most active during these periods. ### Fish Activity Yesterday saw a good amount of activity from various species. Inshore, redfish were particularly active, especially in the flats north of the Hwy 98 bridge in Apalachicola, around Dog Island near Carrabelle, and in the flats of Eastpoint around Yents Bayou. Trout were also plentiful in these areas. Offshore, dolphin fishing remained consistent, with fish scattered from 200 to 800 feet of water. Blackfin tuna were active in 200-300 feet of water, and there were reports of wahoo, although not in large numbers. ### Types of Fish Caught - **Redfish**: Found in the flats and around docks and river areas. - **Trout**: Active in the same flats as the redfish. - **Dolphin**: Caught offshore in various depths. - **Blackfin Tuna**: Found in 200-300 feet of water. - **Wahoo**: Scattered reports, mostly in shallower waters at sunrise and sunset. - **Cobia**: Targeted around channel markers and buoys near St. George Island. ### Best Lures and Bait For inshore fishing, live shrimp are always a solid choice. Artificial lures such as gold or silver spoons, traditional grubs in colors like Gulf red, white, or new penny, and suspension lures in greenback or silver are also effective. Offshore, trolling small ballyhoo, bonita strips, and squid worked well for dolphin. For blackfin tuna, small trolling feathers fished way back were successful. Wahoo were caught using trolling planers or sinkers with bonita strips or split tail mullet. ### Hot Spots - **Apalachicola Flats**: North of the Hwy 98 bridge, this area is rich with redfish and trout. - **St. George Island Passes**: Ideal for targeting cobia using natural or artificial eels or brightly-colored jigs. - **Dog Island near Carrabelle**: Another hotspot for redfish and trout in the flats. With the right gear and knowledge of these hot spots, you should have a productive and enjoyable day of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Always check the latest weather and fishing regulations before you head out. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.