The Daily Catch | Fishing Report – September 2025

Red Snapper & Gag Grouper Season Wrap-Up

September kicked off with a lot of anticipation, as anglers were eager to make the most of the final stretch of Red Snapper and Gag Grouper season. The Gulf delivered plenty of opportunities, but like always, it came with some challenges too.

The Gag Grouper bite proved to be a bit tricky. Between the lingering summer heat keeping water temperatures high and the occasional weather system rolling through, finding consistent gag action wasn’t always easy. That said, persistence paid off—our captains worked hard to locate the fish, and our anglers still went home with some great catches. Nothing beats the excitement of seeing a hefty gag come up from the deep after a tough fight.

On the other hand, Red Snapper fishing was phenomenal. The bite was strong right up until the season closed mid-month, with many of our trips producing steady action and plenty of smiling faces at the dock. These fish are known for their hard fights and delicious fillets, so closing out the season with a hot bite was a big win for everyone onboard.

Even though the season is closed, we’re still encountering Red Snapper as bycatch while targeting other species. We take conservation seriously, so every snapper caught is handled with care. Using venting tools and descending devices, we ensure they return to the depths in good condition, giving them the best chance at survival.

Offshore Variety on Longer Trips

With Red Snapper off the table, we’ve shifted focus, and the offshore variety has been outstanding. Our longer trips this month have produced an impressive mix of species, keeping rods bent and coolers filled.

Red Grouper have been the main target, and we’ve been seeing solid catches throughout September. Alongside them, anglers have been bringing in plenty of Lane Snapper, Vermillion Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, and Triggerfish. Each of these species adds its own excitement to the trip, whether it’s the schooling vermillions keeping the action fast-paced or the larger mangroves testing anglers’ skills with their powerful digs.

What makes these longer trips so special is the variety. You never know what’s going to bite next, and that mix keeps everyone engaged from start to finish. For many of our guests, this kind of fishing is the perfect balance—steady action, a cooler full of fish, and the thrill of battling multiple species in one day.

Spanish Mackerel Action on Shorter Trips

While the offshore trips have been productive, our shorter half-day and nearshore trips have been all about the Spanish Mackerel bite. And it hasn’t just been good—it’s been exceptional.

Typically, Spanish Mackerel are fun-sized fish that run around the 12-inch keeper mark. But this September, we’ve been seeing something special. The fish are coming in bigger than average, with many in the 3–5 pound range and stretching over 20 inches long. For light-tackle anglers, that means drag-screaming runs and some memorable fights right off the bat.

The key has been the massive schools of baitfish in our area. The Gulf is alive with activity, and the mackerel are feeding aggressively. It’s made for fast-paced, exciting trips where anglers don’t have to wait long for action.

With the bait stacked up and water temperatures beginning to cool, we’re already looking forward to what’s next—King Mackerel season. These larger, hard-fighting cousins of the Spanish Mackerel typically show up in October, and we’re expecting them to arrive soon. When they do, anglers on shorter trips will have the chance to battle fish that can push 20–40 pounds or more. It’s one of the most exciting times of year for nearshore fishing in Clearwater.

Looking Ahead to Fall Fishing

Our 4–8 hour trips have been delivering variety and action as well. Alongside the Spanish Mackerel and occasional Kingfish sighting, we’ve been hooking into Barracuda, which is always a crowd favorite with their toothy grins and acrobatic strikes. Bottom fishing on these trips has been productive too, with catches of Mangrove Snapper, Hogfish, Key West Snapper, Pufferfish, and Triggerfish rounding out the day.

Every trip this month has been unique, and that’s what makes September such a rewarding time to fish the Gulf. Whether it’s chasing bigger mackerel close to shore, battling grouper in deeper waters, or filling the cooler with a mix of snapper species, there’s been no shortage of action for our anglers.

Looking ahead to October, we’re excited for what’s to come. Cooling water temperatures will bring more pelagic species into our area, including King Mackerel. Offshore, grouper fishing should continue to strengthen, and the mixed bag of snapper and reef species will keep trips fun and rewarding.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to book, the fall season is shaping up to be one of the best opportunities to get out on the water. Whether you’re after a trophy catch or a cooler full of fresh fillets, we are ready to make it happen. Give us a call at 727-496-3474 or click HERE to book!