October is one of my favorite months of the year to fish. It’s a wonderful transition from a long hot summer to the beginning of fall. As the first north winds begin to cool the water down, it excites the fisherman and the fish. With cooler water temperatures the Bass and Speckled Perch begin their feeding and fattening in preparation for the spawning periods that occur several times throughout the season.
     Bass will be more active this month, and wild river shiners are a great live bait that will almost always produce this time of year. October provides excellent top water action as well. The Devils Horse is a proven bait in the dark tannic stained water of the great St. Johns River and connecting Lakes. Another favorite will be the buzz bait, it is one of the easiest lures to use. Just cast and retrieve over many types of vegetation.
     October is also the month that really kicks off the Speck season. With water temperatures dropping, Specks start to feed. Early in the season you can use a variety of different methods. Open water fishing usually is the best early on in the season. Drifting lives minnows or slow trolling 1/32 oz hard heads or plastic jigs are a local favorite here at Highland Park and on the Lake Woodruff. Using light line, 10 pounds or less is essential. During the last few months many nice Speck catches came in and with cooler weather approaching we are expecting a great Speck season.