November Fishing Report - 11/04/07
October offered up some outstanding redfishing this year and the hope is that it will continue for a little while longer. Snook were a bit hit and miss however. A few remain on the beaches, with others having made their move to traditional inshore destinations. Usually, by this time of year, there are many snook on near shore spoils and inshore points however, right now, they seem more scattered. A good number of fish seem to be holding in the potholes on the flats. Fish caught in the last month have eaten everything from whitebait to cut bait, with the largest fish inhaling a 2 inch chunk of ladyfish. With the recent storm to our east, fishing last week was a little tough with 20 MPH winds, but the next week promises to have more stable weather. This pattern should allow us to pursue a few fall snook before the “real” cold gets here. Small ladyfish and large grass grunts represent two of the best baits for a big snook during November but, as is always the case, be prepared with a variety of offerings. Throwing surface and suspending plugs can also be an effective method of tracking down a hungry snook looking for a last chance to fatten up before winter.
With water temperatures hovering in the mid to upper seventies, we may still have a chance to get on some solid redfishing action before a large part of the bigger fish population heads off shore. Sizable schools were roaming the flats between Dunedin and Gulf Harbors last month and they offered up some red hot fishing. Staying on these schools was easier said than done however. One day, you’d be physically tired from pulling on so many fish and, a few days later, they were gone. Like everything else in life, “putting in the hours” on the water to see where the fish were traveling was the only way to stay on fish. One other opportunity will present itself with winter’s lower tides approaching. (Yes, tides are actually lower in the winter…both high and low tides). On these extreme low tides, fish the deep holes near flats where you’ve had success with redfish and you may find a school holed up and ripe for the picking. Larger trout and snook can be found in these holes as well. Drop your baits into these potholes and wait for five or ten minutes. If you get nothing, move to your next location. Usually, if you find a “fish filled” hole, you’ll get a strike fairly quickly.
November is the month when our winter trout usually come back so find a historically productive grass flat and start casting with your favorite plastic jig towards the end of this month. It’s truly amazing how they are here literally from one day to the next. Schools of these larger trout will literally descend on our flats in mass. It’s great to find them before everyone else and have three or four days of non stop fishing before the word gets out. Early in the season, these fish will also “light up” top water plugs with a vengeance. This is the most fun way to catch these fish and it is also an effective way to cover a lot of water to locate early season fish. Shrimp and pinfish are rarely refused by large trout should you want to soak live bait. Several days ago, while fishing for redfish, I did catch several large trout on a deeper flat so we are probably only 2 to 3 weeks away from our first good push of fish. Ultimately, the weather will determine how soon they get here though. Colder means sooner.
As mentioned in last month’s report, the mackerel, kingfish and bonita bite on near shore rock piles and reefs has definitely begun. It’s simply a matter of the wind not blowing this opportunity away. Before last weeks winds came up, I took three trips out to these near shore rocks and was rewarded on every trip. By loading up on small whitebait inshore, you can chum heavily once you reach your rock pile. If there are any fish in the area, this constant stream of whitebait will have them boiling off the back of your boat in short order. Once fish are chummed up, fishing quickly turns to catching and, after a few hours, everyone has usually had their fill and is ready to go back inshore to pursue other species. The occasional kingfish or bonita can empty an inshore outfit of all of its line so be ready to crank down your drag and hang on. Carrying a few heavier spinning rods isn’t a bad idea when doing this kind of fishing. Also, there are some sizable sharks following the mackerel schools around so you might bring a heavier “boat” rod if you think someone might want something to really pull on. For those of you looking to exercise your fly rods, small “whitebait imitating flies” will get the job done.
November provides a variety of fishing opportunities and is really the last month before we settle in to our winter pattern of fishing so get out there and enjoy some of our outstanding, cool fall weather. Good luck.
October offered up some outstanding redfishing this year and the hope is that it will continue for a little while longer. Snook were a bit hit and miss however. A few remain on the beaches, with others having made their move to traditional inshore destinations. Usually, by this time of year, there are many snook on near shore spoils and inshore points however, right now, they seem more scattered. A good number of fish seem to be holding in the potholes on the flats. Fish caught in the last month have eaten everything from whitebait to cut bait, with the largest fish inhaling a 2 inch chunk of ladyfish. With the recent storm to our east, fishing last week was a little tough with 20 MPH winds, but the next week promises to have more stable weather. This pattern should allow us to pursue a few fall snook before the “real” cold gets here. Small ladyfish and large grass grunts represent two of the best baits for a big snook during November but, as is always the case, be prepared with a variety of offerings. Throwing surface and suspending plugs can also be an effective method of tracking down a hungry snook looking for a last chance to fatten up before winter.
With water temperatures hovering in the mid to upper seventies, we may still have a chance to get on some solid redfishing action before a large part of the bigger fish population heads off shore. Sizable schools were roaming the flats between Dunedin and Gulf Harbors last month and they offered up some red hot fishing. Staying on these schools was easier said than done however. One day, you’d be physically tired from pulling on so many fish and, a few days later, they were gone. Like everything else in life, “putting in the hours” on the water to see where the fish were traveling was the only way to stay on fish. One other opportunity will present itself with winter’s lower tides approaching. (Yes, tides are actually lower in the winter…both high and low tides). On these extreme low tides, fish the deep holes near flats where you’ve had success with redfish and you may find a school holed up and ripe for the picking. Larger trout and snook can be found in these holes as well. Drop your baits into these potholes and wait for five or ten minutes. If you get nothing, move to your next location. Usually, if you find a “fish filled” hole, you’ll get a strike fairly quickly.
November is the month when our winter trout usually come back so find a historically productive grass flat and start casting with your favorite plastic jig towards the end of this month. It’s truly amazing how they are here literally from one day to the next. Schools of these larger trout will literally descend on our flats in mass. It’s great to find them before everyone else and have three or four days of non stop fishing before the word gets out. Early in the season, these fish will also “light up” top water plugs with a vengeance. This is the most fun way to catch these fish and it is also an effective way to cover a lot of water to locate early season fish. Shrimp and pinfish are rarely refused by large trout should you want to soak live bait. Several days ago, while fishing for redfish, I did catch several large trout on a deeper flat so we are probably only 2 to 3 weeks away from our first good push of fish. Ultimately, the weather will determine how soon they get here though. Colder means sooner.
As mentioned in last month’s report, the mackerel, kingfish and bonita bite on near shore rock piles and reefs has definitely begun. It’s simply a matter of the wind not blowing this opportunity away. Before last weeks winds came up, I took three trips out to these near shore rocks and was rewarded on every trip. By loading up on small whitebait inshore, you can chum heavily once you reach your rock pile. If there are any fish in the area, this constant stream of whitebait will have them boiling off the back of your boat in short order. Once fish are chummed up, fishing quickly turns to catching and, after a few hours, everyone has usually had their fill and is ready to go back inshore to pursue other species. The occasional kingfish or bonita can empty an inshore outfit of all of its line so be ready to crank down your drag and hang on. Carrying a few heavier spinning rods isn’t a bad idea when doing this kind of fishing. Also, there are some sizable sharks following the mackerel schools around so you might bring a heavier “boat” rod if you think someone might want something to really pull on. For those of you looking to exercise your fly rods, small “whitebait imitating flies” will get the job done.
November provides a variety of fishing opportunities and is really the last month before we settle in to our winter pattern of fishing so get out there and enjoy some of our outstanding, cool fall weather. Good luck.
Captain Stewart Ames
727-421-5291
