[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ooler temperatures means cooler waters and fall fishing patterns should be closing in. Look for reds and flounder to start piling up. I will start using spoons to catch reds in the cooler months on the flats. I prefer the 1/4oz. to 3/8oz.Aqua Dream Living spoons in gold or black colors depending on the water clarity. I retrieve them slow across the bottom and wait for the hard hit. The bull reds should be gathering in passes and off the bar. I like using large spinner baits like Saltwater Assassins Mac daddy in line spinner in goldfish color. These large schools of bulls make it easy to sight cast when they are swimming through.
Flounder are being fooled with flavored curly tailed shads. Fan cast creek mouths working your jigs slowly bouncing them off the bottom with the current. Big trout are still being taken early and late in the day on top water. I am getting my best results with MirrOlures topdog and topdog Jr.s in 21 mullet pattern. In the cooler waters I slow up my retrieve. Also start looking for good schools working their way up the Bay for winter. 1/4oz. jig heads and soft plastics make an easy day of catching as the go in the deeper water.
Not to miss in November. The Mobile Bay Kayak Fishing Associations 7th annual 5 Rivers tournament is Nov.2nd. There are fresh and saltwater categories with lots of great prizes to be given away. You can register on line at www.mbkfa.com Nov.16th Fall N Tides VIII at Cypress Cove Marina in Venice, LA. There will be over 200 kayak anglers and lots of great prizes. Fall N Tides is definitely one to go check out and enjoy the great fishing Louisiana has to offer. You can sign up online at www.bckfc.org. Also on Nov.16th is Spankn the Specks in Biloxi, MS. This is a 3 speckled trout stringer tournament with honors going to the top 3 anglers. There are also awards for largest red and flounder. For tickets or to register go to www.everythingkayak.com. We keep a running tab of all the happenings in the kayak community on our Facebook page Kayak Fishing U.
Remember while fishing from a kayak to always think safety. We are low to the water and not always easily seen. Keep a 360 degree light on at dark and low light conditions, wear a PFD, keep hydrated, and let someone know your float plan.
Benton Parrott
Hobie Regional Team / Fairhope Boat Co.
Pro Staff Fishing Guide
dbparrott@bellsouth.net