By: Dan Carns
This November should be a month to remember but you will have to spend a bunch of time fishing to take advantage of it. Southwest Florida has had a long run of mild winters that’s allowed the snook population a chance to really mature. We have a huge population of juvenile snook that are the result of a big population of breeding adults. This month they will have made their transition from the outer beaches and beyond back to their inshore “winter” haunts. Many will take up residence in the hundreds of canal systems but also in the backwater mangrove Islands and channels. Strategically positioned to take advantage of sunny, warm periods where they can travel out and about the islands but close enough to move back into sheltered canals and holes during cooler weather.
While some shallow water boats will follow these fish into the backcountry, kayakers are going to have a huge advantage as we can get in very skinny and confined waters. We can also take advantage of our negative winter tides to access areas that are completely off limits to boats. Long casts and stealthy approaches will be required as these fish are super keyed into any danger in shallow water.
Redfish populations have also really increased and not just due to calmer weather but from a proactive stocking plan and a strict catch and release regulation. This past year we saw a tremendous number of redfish caught all summer long including a ton of “rat reds” indicative of a large, local breeding stock. This is all to say that this fall should be a stellar year for redfish. These are my favorite fish to target and luckily redfish love to hunt in very shallow water. So once again we’ll be in the same locations as when we target winter snook using almost all the same lures and baits.
Redfish and snook will readily take early morning top water plugs in very shallow water. Almost any “walk the dog” style plug worked relatively slow will get their attention. Bone is a very effective color but certainly not the only option. Use what works for you. I personally love the Badonk-a-donk series from Bomber in redfish color with the tail spot and rattles. This lure takes some time to master and is not nearly as simple to use as the Heddon Super Spook and Super Spook Jr. which is my second favorite top water plug. Small paddle tail and shad tail rubber baits on a light jig head (I preferred red color jigs) or lightly weighted twist-lock hooks worked slowly through dips, potholes or super close to the mangrove over hangs should result in a strike. Take note of the enormous selection of artificial shrimp on the market but especially check out Wyze Guyz Tackle. According to Fishin-dips (Elon Hertzfeld) the new Kickin Skrimp, Ned-Rigged is the most effective artificial shrimp on the market! Remember to use long casts and stealthy approaches as the fish are even more wary of anything un-natural in shallow water.
It’s A Wild World-Get Out There!
@paddlinandfishin
Dan Carns