September on the Big Bend coast is not a quiet month. It is a time when fisheries pivot from one seasonal phase to another, when tides pull bait differently than they did just a few weeks earlier, and when regulations begin to reshape the choices fishermen have on the water. Steinhatchee sits at the heart of this region, with Deadman’s Bay opening directly into the Gulf and the Econfina marsh stretching to the north. The fishing calendar here reflects the broader shifts of the coast, shaped by flats, creeks, rivers, and offshore ledges that give this stretch of Florida its reputation. Some species are open for harvest year-round, others carry short fall windows, and a few have already closed for the season. Knowing exactly what is available right now requires looking across every type of trip this area supports.
Inshore Charters: Grass Flats and River Mouths
The shallow flats and creek mouths around Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach, and Horseshoe Beach are alive with movement during September. Bait schools push through Deadman’s Bay, and predators follow closely. For fishermen, this is the zone of consistency. Redfish and trout remain present, but the regulations guiding harvest must be kept in mind.
Harvest open now includes:
- Red Drum. Legal year-round with a slot between 18 and 27 inches. One fish per angler, maximum of four aboard a vessel.
- Spotted Seatrout. Harvest open year-round. Fish must measure 15 to 19 inches, with a daily limit of five per angler and a vessel allowance of only one trout over 19 inches.
- Snook. A prized catch in fall. The open window began September 1 and runs until November 30, with a 28 to 33 inch slot and a one-fish daily bag.
- Flounder. Harvest is still legal in September, but the annual closure begins October 15. Five fish per day at a minimum of 14 inches can be kept now.
- Sheepshead. Year-round open season, 12-inch minimum, eight fish per angler.
- Spanish Mackerel. Fifteen fish daily at a 12-inch fork length minimum.
- Tripletail. Two fish per day at 18 inches or more.
- Cobia. Open year-round, minimum 36 inches fork length. Bag is one fish per angler, maximum of two per vessel.
- Black Drum. Five per angler daily between 14 and 24 inches, with allowance for one fish over 24 inches.
The tactical side of inshore fishing in September involves timing tides and light levels. Redfish tail in skinny water along the grass edges north of Rocky Creek, while trout stack over sand holes across the flats west of Keaton Beach. Sheepshead target oyster bars lining the Econfina River mouth. Spanish mackerel sweep across the deeper troughs in Deadman’s Bay, and tripletail hold tight to crab pot markers just south of Hagen’s Cove. Snook add energy to the fishery during this seasonal window, striking aggressively at ambush points in tidal creeks that empty toward Horseshoe Beach.
Offshore Charters: Ledges, Wrecks, and Reefs
The offshore runs out of Steinhatchee take time but reward preparation. Boats heading out past the Bird Rack or over the long run to 9-Mile Reef must know exactly what is open because many reef species rotate under strict seasonal frameworks. September is particularly dynamic offshore.
Open now:
- Red Snapper. After the early September run, harvest continues on weekends. Two fish per angler, 16 inches minimum, with today’s Friday schedule making them available.
- Greater Amberjack. Season runs from September 1 through October 31. One fish per angler, 34 inches fork length or more.
- Gray Triggerfish. Open August 1 through December 31. One fish per angler, 15 inches fork length.
- Red Grouper. Minimum 20 inches, two fish per angler. Increased catch limits this year keep the season open for now.
- Scamp and other shallow-water groupers. Open, under aggregate limits.
- King Mackerel. Year-round harvest, three fish per angler at 24 inches fork length minimum.
- Spanish Mackerel. Fifteen fish per angler at 12 inches fork length.
- Cobia. Year-round, one fish per angler, two per vessel, 36 inches fork length minimum.
- Black Sea Bass. Open with a 10-inch minimum length.
Closed now:
- Gag Grouper. The season ended September 14 and will not reopen in 2025.
Offshore structure is the key to success. Amberjack hover above wrecks off Suwannee, demanding stout tackle. Triggerfish stack on reef edges along the Steinhatchee Ridge. Red grouper remain reliable across the rocky bottom near Seahorse Reef. On snapper weekends, the offshore scene intensifies, with bright red fillets as the prime target. With gag grouper closed, captains refocus energy on the species still available.
Scalloping Excursions
Bay scallops define Steinhatchee’s summer, with families drifting grass beds from Hagen’s Cove to Rocky Creek. By September the season has ended. The Fenholloway to Suwannee River zone closes after Labor Day, which fell on September 1 this year. During the open months, scallopers harvest by snorkeling over the seagrass beds of Deadman’s Bay, but once closed, possession is prohibited. The closure ensures that stocks replenish for the next summer.
Airboat Fishing Adventures
Marsh creeks and ultra-shallow flats north of Horseshoe Beach and across the Econfina marsh open to airboats deliver a different kind of fishing experience. The species list is much the same as the inshore category, but the locations are more isolated and often brackish.
Redfish and seatrout are both legal under the Big Bend rules, with flounder still harvestable until mid-October. Sheepshead are also available year-round. These shallow routes often run up places like Cow Creek or over into the tidal creeks of the Aucilla, where fishermen must pay attention to transitions between saltwater and freshwater rules, especially for gar or catfish.
Freshwater Bass Trips
Beyond the Gulf lies a world of freshwater rivers and springs that support largemouth bass. The Aucilla, Wacissa, and Suwannee Rivers all provide bass habitat, and local lakes inland from Perry offer still-water options. Econfina guides run trips here for anglers who want a change of pace from coastal fishing.
The statewide rule allows five black bass per angler daily, with only one 16 inches or longer. September’s cooler nights spark more consistent feeding, with schooling bass chasing shad in the bends of the Suwannee and larger fish holding tight to cover near spring outflows on the Wacissa. Some waterbodies carry unique slot rules, so fishermen should always confirm local regulations before keeping fish.
Seasonal Shifts and Approaching Closures
Flounder will close October 15, cutting off harvest until December. Snook remain open until November 30, giving fishermen a short fall window to target them in tidal creeks near Horseshoe Beach. Amberjack closes at the end of October, and gag grouper has already shut down for the year. Scalloping is over until the following summer. These changes show why September is such a transitional time for Deadman’s Bay and the waters stretching north and south. Every week shifts the available opportunities.
Tips to Stay Legal and Productive
- Florida’s Gulf state waters extend nine nautical miles; beyond that federal rules apply.
- Reef fish harvest requires compliance with gear rules and State Reef Fish Survey registration.
- Descending devices and venting tools must be on board for offshore reef trips.
- Emergency closures can occur if quotas are met early, so always check FWC notices before leaving the dock.
Steinhatchee in September
The calendar right now favors inshore consistency and offshore selectivity. Redfish and trout anchor the flats near Keaton Beach, joined by snook and flounder in the creeks that flow into Deadman’s Bay. Offshore, amberjack, triggerfish, and red grouper dominate, with red snapper weekends adding bursts of excitement over reefs like Seahorse and the Steinhatchee Ridge. Scallops have closed, bass fishing inland on the Suwannee and Wacissa remains steady, and airboat routes across the Econfina marsh continue to reveal shallow-water opportunities. These overlapping patterns create a season that is diverse yet demanding, and it is within this changing mix that Econfina Sporting Club guides shape their approach to ensure every trip matches the real opportunities September provides.
That connection between season and strategy carries through every outing. Fishermen who head out with the club benefit from a clear read of both the regulations and the natural rhythms that define Steinhatchee at this time of year. Instead of chasing what is out of season or winding down, trips focus on the species that are abundant and legal, turning the complexity of September into days that are productive and memorable. To experience the full range of what the month offers, book a trip with us and see what is in season right now.
