When fall rolls in, Florida’s Gulf waters come alive. As temperatures drop and baitfish schools gather, anglers from Sarasota to Placida and Port Charlotte to Longboat Key can count on fast, furious action. From Spanish and king mackerel blitzing bait pods offshore to redfish, snook, and trout feeding along the grass flats, this is prime time to fish the coast.
Fall in Florida doesn’t always come with changing leaves and chilly air, but on the water, you’ll feel it right away. Instead of crisp mornings and sweaters, boaters and anglers welcome slightly cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and calmer winds — the perfect recipe for a full day on the Gulf. The sun still shines bright, but the air has just enough of a break from the summer heat to make being outside a pleasure again.
The change might be subtle, but it brings a big shift in marine life. Baitfish like Threadfin Herring, Pilchards, and Mullet begin migrating south, drawing in everything from Redfish and Snook in the bays to Mackerel, Kingfish, and Cobia offshore. Cooler water also sparks activity on the flats, as fish feed more aggressively to bulk up before winter’s slower pace. For anglers, this means more strikes, longer fights, and some of the most rewarding fishing of the year.
On land, fall in Florida also means smaller crowds, fewer afternoon storms, and glassy water at sunrise. It’s that sweet spot between the heat of summer and the busy holiday season — when locals reclaim their favorite sandbars and coastal towns come alive in a more relaxed rhythm. Whether you’re watching dolphins chase Mullet through Sarasota Bay or casting under the mangroves near Port Charlotte, fall reminds us why Florida’s version of the season is something to be grateful for.
Each fall, Spanish Mackerel and King Mackerel follow schools of threadfin herring and glass minnows down the coast. You’ll find them just off Anna Maria Island, Longboat Pass, and the nearshore reefs off Sarasota Bay. Try trolling silver spoons, drifting with live pilchards, or casting diamond jigs along bait schools. Keep an eye out for birds diving — that’s your sign the bite is on.
For shore anglers, Venice and Placida piers are hot spots for mackerel when tides are moving. Use light tackle with a popping cork and silver spoon for fast-paced fun that rivals offshore action.
Inside the bays, cooling water turns on the bite for Snook, Redfish, and Spotted Seatrout. Around Sarasota Bay, work topwater plugs and soft plastics early in the morning along mangrove edges and oyster bars. Redfish push across the flats, especially around Placida Harbor and Lemon Bay, while Snook hang near structure, bridges, and creek mouths chasing mullet.
By late morning, switch to deeper grass flats near Port Charlotte Harbor where Spotted Trout school up in 3–6 feet of water. Live shrimp under a popping cork or a slow-twitched soft plastic lure is all it takes to keep rods bending.
As the weather stabilizes, Grouper and Snapper fishing improves offshore. Bottom anglers can find Red Grouper, Lane Snapper, and Mangrove Snapper around ledges and artificial reefs in 60–120 feet of water. For those who venture deeper, Blackfin Tuna and the occasional Cobia make surprise appearances around bait schools.
When heading offshore from Venice or Port Charlotte, always keep an eye out for surface activity — diving birds often mark feeding Kingfish and Bonito close to the surface.
Keep your setups versatile:
Live bait like pilchards and sardines work wonders, but artificials like jigs and topwater plugs can be just as effective when fish are feeding aggressively.
Fall fishing around Sarasota and Longboat Key offers some of the most consistent action on the Gulf Coast. As water temperatures drop, the bays and passes fill with baitfish — drawing in redfish, snook, and trout inshore, while mackerel and cobia school up just beyond the sandbar. Whether you’re drifting grass flats in Sarasota Bay or watching birds dive over New Pass, you’ll find no shortage of activity this time of year. The combination of structure, tidal flow, and bait movement makes this area a must-fish zone for anglers of all experience levels.
When the fall mullet run begins, Placida and Boca Grande come alive with feeding frenzies. These waters are famous for their rich mix of inshore and nearshore opportunities — from sight-casting to redfish on the flats to jigging for grouper just offshore. Cooler temperatures bring snook out of the backwaters, while the tail end of tarpon season offers a surprise fight or two in Gasparilla Pass. Add in a few hungry Sheepshead around the docks, and you’ve got a fall lineup that keeps rods bent all day long.
As the water cools and baitfish move deeper into the harbor, Port Charlotte and Charlotte Harbor transform into one of Southwest Florida’s most productive fall fisheries. Redfish and trout school up across the grass flats, while black drum begin to gather near deeper cuts and oyster bars. Just outside the passes, cobia and grouper follow the temperature shifts to feed along nearshore reefs and ledges. Whether you’re working topwater plugs in Alligator Creek or soaking live bait near the Peace River mouth, fall brings a steady stream of opportunity for inshore and offshore anglers alike.
Fall is also prime time for surf anglers targeting Pompano, Whiting, and Flounder along the beaches when the surf is calm. A simple jig or sand flea rig is often all it takes to fill the cooler — just another reason why autumn is such a special season for Gulf Coast anglers.
Fall offers some of the best table fare of the year, but remember to only keep what you plan to eat fresh. Spanish Mackerel, Trout, and Mangrove Snapper are all excellent when prepared the same day — they don’t freeze well. The rest? Snap a few photos and release them to fight another day.
Fall is one of the most rewarding times to fish Florida’s Gulf Coast. As the heat eases and the baitfish run strong, the action lights up from Sarasota Bay to Port Charlotte Harbor. Whether you’re chasing Redfish across shallow flats, reeling in King Mackerel off Longboat Key, or bottom fishing for Grouper off Placida, every cast promises excitement.
At Ingman Marine, we love this season because it reminds us why we boat and fish in the first place — the quiet mornings, the adrenaline of a strike, and the shared memories made on the water. No matter what you fish for or where you launch, the right boat and outboard make all the difference.
Here’s to cool mornings, tight lines, and another unforgettable fall fishing season on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
