First I would like to say, it is an honor to be chosen to write for Coastal Angler Magazine. I hope that you all enjoy my articles and forecasts as they provide assistance to help you be successful on your offshore journeys.
Who is this guy you might ask? Sometimes I ask myself the same thing but I assure you salt runs deep in my veins. Ever since I was little while fishing in ponds and lakes in Indiana I have always been drawn to the water. In the summers we had regular trips to Captiva Island, FL where Snook were enormous and the beaches were covered in seashells. In 1990 I joined the United States Air Force and married the woman of my dreams and we began our twenty-two year adventure and military career. My first base was located in Homestead, Fl. Just imagine two 19 year olds turned loose just South of Miami and North of the Keys. Many nights we would pack up and head down to Jewfish creek in Key Largo and fish until dawn or take off on a Friday and spend the weekend fishing all over the Keys and Flamingo. In addition, my second assignment, after Hurricane Andrew blew us out of Florida was in Goldsboro, NC and this is where the real fishing talent joined the family. Ashley my daughter was literally by my side fishing and exploring all locations from there on out. Later after spending time in Korea and all over foreign lands we settled in Cocoa Beach at Patrick AFB. Since then we have been offshore more hours then I can ever count. Ashley even at the age of 14 broke an IGFA Junior Female World Record for Swordfish at 155lbs, the fish that is. She showed people and old salts that she was someone not to be taken lightly. As a family we enjoyed fishing (and winning) tournaments throughout the Space Coast and our number one sponsor, Bluepoints Marina of Port Canaveral has been there every step of the way.
Ok, enough about me lets get to the reason I’m here. November!! The dog days of summer fishing are over and its time to get out there between the fronts and do work! My days will be spent starting in the Port catching good baits, I use single hook rigs with squid or shrimp or even some fish I saved at the cleaning table the trip before to catch some nice pinfish and spots. I will not pass up a chance to throw the net on a school of mullet either.
Near shore on the buoy line will offer great chances and mondo Triple Tail and always keep an eye out for Cobia as you are working the buoys or near shore structure. As our water cools King Mackerel will be here in force on the near shore wrecks and reefs such as Pelican Flats and 8A Reef. Some people say they don’t like Kings, well I challenge you to lighten up your tackle and take a day targeting these awesome fish. Remember fish dip is cheap to make and prepares a great Christmas present for friends around the neighborhood.
The bottom bite will be chewing and if you put your time in and get set up correctly you will be able to get past those so-called endangered American Red Snapper and get on some nice Grouper. Look for them on 21 and 27 Fathom lines, find the structure and you will find the fish.
OK, so bottom fishing is just not your game? No need to fear the Mahi and Sails are here! A lot of people think the Mahi are only here in the springtime, well I’m here to tell you to go look. Find that weed line or rip in 100 foot or better and take a look, give the line a run to the south and try to find birds working it, a pallet, a tree, or a single piece of bamboo and you will find the fish.
Lately the weeds have been slammed pack full of bait and it’s only a matter of time until you find that school of fish feeding. If you want to try something different take a day with your buddies and do some homework and go Wahoo fishing. If you dedicate your time and your travel to these awesome predators you will find them and actually surprise yourself that you are the man!! Troll out on 27 Fathom and work your way to the cones (Oculina Reef) and when you do get a knockdown work that area and enjoy.
I know this is a lot of info and most articles I read sounds like they package them and pull them out of a folder marked month-to-month or season-to-season. Feel free to contact me for any information or help you need to get on the fish. Stay tuned in on my website for updates and reports and if I can help I surely will.
Tight Lines and Keep it Safe!!
[easy-social-share]