By: Capt. Terry Fisher
Fishing strategies begin to change this time of year. Winds begin to be more predominant out of the north and east lowering both water temperature and tide levels. Reef species will begin to move in to shallower depths toward the outer islands from the Gulf of America. Offshore anglers will not have to travel as far offshore (50-70 miles) for large groupers and snappers as they did during the summer months. They can expect to find the bigger fish in 85 feet or less of water (30-40 miles out). Baits of choice include shrimp, squid, Pinfish and finger Mullets. Use medium heavy rod ratings for offshore fishing.
Inshore anglers will have opportunities at larger sheepshead, seatrout, mangrove snapper and snook. November fishing will require working areas other than the spoil islands since lower tides will not provide high water levels. The axis of the earth tilts more southerly preventing stronger gravitational pull, dramatically reducing tide levels. During lower winter tides, I look to the beaches, passes, docks and deep holes which are more likely to hold fish. Live baits of choice are shrimp, pilchards and pinfish. The bite should be good. Work the docks along the passes as well as the shoreline along the beaches. Use light tackle for best results and enjoyment of fishing.
November might be one’s last chance for scoring a redfish of a lifetime as the bigger redfish will be moving back out to the deeper waters of the Gulf’ to winter. On high tides, they will congregate in schools and will move into areas around and under mangrove roots that offer protection. On low tides, look for them under docks and around the passes where the current is strong. I suggest the following;
. Fish the top half of the incoming and outgoing tides around the points of spoil islands and oyster bars.
. Stealth is required for the larger Redfish.
. Fish when the wind direction is southerly as the water levels will tend to be higher along the mangroves providing more food, nutrients and protection.
. There are a number of artificial presentations that work (gold spoons, soft plastics and top water), but one needs a vessel equipped with a trolling motor for best results, as one must keep moving when using artificial presentations. Conversely, I like prefer to use live or cut baits on a weighted jig head under a popping cork suspended above the seabed or simply place the bait of choice on the seabed using a weighted jig head. All presentations need to be close or just under the mangroves for best results. Effective baits include live pilchards, cut pinfish, blue crab, ladyfish and mullet.
. Do not arrive to fish mangroves after a high tide is in full display, as the fish will be too far under the mangroves to target.
. When the November tides are too low for the backcountry mangrove areas, fish the fish under docks that hold deeper water pockets with current flow.