Mayport Report November 2018

The month of November should be normal for us discounting that after Hurricane seasom we don’t get another huge storm. Michael brought some winds and weather to us that really had some negative effects to our fishery. With that being said, I believe the big rocks should be really good this month. October’s weather might be a real blessing to the fishery this month. Look for shrimp and mullet to be pushing out of the river driving trout, black drum, reds, flounder, and sheepshead to the inlet. The black drum started showing last month and I believe they will increase in numbers during November. Cut crab, shrimp or fiddlers work well typically fished on the bottom near the ends of the rocks. The bottom of the dead low or the last push of the high flood seems to be the most productive times. An egg sinker Carolina rig works well, 3-way swivel rig and even a small jig when the current slows can be deadly. Redfish will also be in the same areas and will readily take the same baits. Look for the Bull Reds to still be around but, beginning to wane as the water cools. The edges of the shipping channel is your best bet all the way to the Dames Point Bridge and a few spots past that. A half of a blue crab or cut mullet are my favorite go to bait fished with a stout Ugly Stix Tiger rod and a Penn SpinFisher 6500. The last of the falling tide to dead low seems to be best. Remember these are the breeding stock so handle them with kid gloves.

Yellow mouthed trout should begin to show in good numbers as well as the croakers. The outside of the big stones are good areas and the edges of the channel towards White Shell Rocks are favored haunts. Cut mullet or live shrimp seem to work well for these tasty and testy fighters. I typically use a light tackle rod with a 1/4oz jig or a small float rig for the trout and a Carolina /egg sinker rig for the croakers.

Sheepshead should move onto the local docks, rocks and jetties this month.The sheeps seemed to move in early last month in scattered numbers and I think they will increase in numbers. Small shrimp or fiddler crabs are great baits for this. An egg sinker rig or jig head tossed into the structure are great methods for catching some of these testy fighters. The docks at Mayport, rocks at White Shell, and the big jetties are favored haunts for sheepshead,

The offshore scene this month should improve for sea bass, snapper, and hopefully grouper. The near shore party grounds are your best bet. Cut squid, cigars, and even cut mullet work well for me fished on the bottom. Make sure you check the regulations to see what you can keep. Go to MYFWC to look at what is and isn’t legal this month.

Remember you can’t catch them from the couch. To book a Charter Capt. Kirk can be reached at 904-626-1128 or 904-241-7560 or go to www.Enterprisefishingcharters.comor visit us on Facebook. Listen to the Outdoors Show every Sat from 7am to 10am for up to date fishing forecast, reports, weather and tides on 1010am or 92.5fm.