by Liam Callaghan
caught around Lanark.
November is here and with it comes cooler temperatures and unbelievable fishing. The beginning of November is one of the best times of the year to fish. Inshore species such as red fish and trout will be feeding on both ends of the tide and in between. Target shallow flats that have exposed grass or oyster outcrops and focus on working your bait as close to the structure as possible. When the water starts to crest the tops of the bars, work yourself o the structure methodically. This month is also a great time to throw large plugs to mimic the size of the bait in your area. Super Spooks, One Knocker, Skitterwalks are just a few top water baits that are used by successful anglers in the Big Bend. Using spoons for top and middle of the water column coverage will be useful this month as well. Aqua Dream Living by Captain Mike Hakala makes a great spoon that mimics most bait. Pick your favorite color and work it over mixed bottom and oyster bars. Another fantastic artifi cial bait for the late fall months is the 6” DOA glow jerk bait or the Slayer Inc. so plastic line. Rig these so plastics with a 1/16 oz. weedless hook or a Slayer Inc. jig head. The trout bite has been excellent in areas between Alligator Harbor and the Carrabelle River. Most trout reports I receive are folks set up in 1-3 feet of water, drift ing over mixed bottom, throwing topwater lures for surface action or suspending baits in the middle to lower water column. The Mirrodine by Mirrolure is a great bait that will trigger a bite all day with trout. Work this bait just under the surface and use an erratic retrieval to trigger the bite.
Carson Ulrich of Lanark Market reports solid numbers of red fish and trout being caught around Turkey Point and the flats west of Lanark Boat Ramp .Carson says that these fish are feeding on all types of lures, live bait and y gear. Most fish have been in the slot with reports of red fish measuring over the legal limit of 27 inches. November will bring schools of game fish to our areas shallow flats. Now is the time to target specific species and have very good success doing it.
Moving offshore, the grouper bite is still very good out of Lanark and Carrabelle. The successful anglers and captains are going on out to over 100 feet of water for some nice gag grouper and red grouper. Kyle Malone and crew recently shed in 70-80 feet and caught their limit of red grouper and gag grouper on live bait.
November and into December can be some of the most productive fishing of the entire year in the Big Bend. The water cools down and the clarity becomes very clear. Look to fish very shallow the next few months and most of the time you will be able to site fish some very good fish laid up warming themselves. So get out, bend a rod and support your local tackle shops!
FORECAST BY: Liam Callaghan
IFA Kayak Tour National Angler of the Year
St Croix Rods Pro Sta ff
Native Watercraft Fishing Team