November is a picture-perfect month for fishing in southeastern North Carolina in my mind for a host of reasons, and not just for the great angling opportunities it presents. The mornings are crisp, but not too cold and the afternoons are often warm enough for shirt sleeves only. The cold fronts that roll through this month aren’t too severe and actually improve the fishing on the backside as the water temperatures fall, triggering all-out feeding frenzies. The chilled surface temps, in conjunction with lower sun angles and shorter days, instinctively prompt the fish to feed heavily to build fat reserves for the coming winter.
The majority of techniques that most are familiar with are all in play this month. The topwater bite can be on fire this month with walking baits, frogs and buzz baits worth a try early and more subtle twitch baits towards the end of the month as the water cools into the 50’s. Spinnerbaits with tandem Colorado/willow blades in clearer water and Colorado/Indiana combinations in dirtier water will also produce, especially as fronts are approaching. Shallow-to-medium-diving crank baits in shad, fire tiger or crawdad colors are top choices as well. And, if you prefer to fish slower with plastic worms and jigs, they’ll catch fish this month too. Experiment with different sizes, colors and weights. The overall profile and rate of sink can make a big difference on any given day. Let the conditions influence your choice of baits, speed of retrieve, etc. until you find what is generating the most action.
To update the post-Irene status of fish kills in the Cape Fear River basin, at this writing, the mainstream appears to have had little negative impact, and some reports from the lower NE Cape Fear are promising in that at least a few fish are being caught. Still, no word on the mid- and upper sections where most of the dead fish were showing up. Hopefully I’ll be able to report on this next month. Sutton Lake, Lake Waccamaw and area ponds are prime for good fishing after receiving several good doses of much needed rain in the past few weeks.
Enjoy the cool weather and hot fishing November has to offer and if you need a guide just send me an email.
FORECAST BY:
Capt. Mike Lanier
Ranger Boats Pro Staff,
Yamaha, Pure Fishing, Collins,Inc.
SENC Pro Bass Guide Service
(910) 253-8115
laniermnl@atmc.net
