Hello anglers! It’s time to cool down. I think we all will be welcoming the cooler conditions and many of us will be taking advantage of the great fall fishing. There will be a lot of fish on the move as the water temperature drops this month. When fish are moving, they are eating! We have to remember we live in Florida, but it’s Northwest Florida. Our water temperatures reach mid to high 80’s in the summer and plummet to the high 50’s through the winter months. In November, we should expect to see water temps declining significantly. As this change takes place, fish activity will change as well.
Inshore: Flounder fishing should pick up; work the hard bottom drop offs in the bay with bull minnows on a slip sinker rig, or pinned to a jig head. I also like tossing Berkley Gulps or other soft plastics on jig heads. I make sure my movements are slow and low. Flounder are lazy ambush feeders so I want to bounce it on top of their heads. Spanish mackerel will be hot and heavy this month and much bigger than they were in the Spring. Look for birds bombing the water and troll or cast spoons or Gotcha Plugs. You can also set up on a drop off and free-line bait fish for success.
Plenty of trout and redfish will be caught this month on a multitude of baits. They will be changing patterns so vary your depths and techniques until you have success. There will also be some pretty good grouper and shark action in the deeper holes in the bay, so keep a couple of rods rigged strong and drop some large cut or live baits while you’re out there.
Offshore: Grouper and many different types of snapper will be caught on the reefs fishing live and cut bait. I would keep a live cigar or blue runner on the free-line rigged with a stinger hook. Trolling should be very productive this month. Most of the larger surface feeding pelagics are on the move and will make one last hoorah before migrating out of here for winter. Remember to tie on a couple feet of light wire before the hooks; most of them are toothy fish. Vary your baits, lures, and trolling speeds to maximize your results.
Surf: Big redfish will be cruising the beach, especially near the pass. I like crabs and shrimp, but they will eat many other baits when feeding. Keep a rod or two with a casting spoon or shiny plug to toss for Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and blue fish. Larger cuts of fresh bonito, lady fish, and blue runners fished on bottom will likely produce some shark action also.
Thanks for reading folks and fish on!
CAPT. JASON SHINGLER
Adrenaline On H20
Panama City, FL
(850) 348-2282