Changing Seasons

How do Floridians know the seasons have changed? No the palm trees do not turn crimson and orange. I could give you the old line about “The license tags change colors.” Another sign of change of seasons is a parade of boats chugging down the Intracoastal Waterway. Lots of shiny new yachts are headed for the 54th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

If you have lived south of Palm Beach for a long time, you notice the subtle drop in humidity on early October mornings. The sky is a brighter blue. The October moon brings higher tides. If you get out early, you will see the falcons and hawks migrating south. Fishermen have been watching for the bait to show up on the beaches. The mullet run brings tarpon, snook, jacks, kingfish and spinner sharks within easy reach of anglers a hundred yards or less from shore.

All of this means great near shore fishing. The wahoo are starting to show at Old Bahama Bay and Green Turtle. The big wahoo will be in residence before Thanksgiving. The sailfish will start showing up in good numbers any day now.

I know Fall is here: just this week I saw three falcons and a line at the tackle shop. – Capt. Ned Stone

Photos Courtesy of David Cartee.