Just as October proved to be a windy month, you can expect that November will also continue on that same windy note. We are in the middle of our fall/winter transition and you can also count on cooler temperatures that will start the thermometer sliding when it comes to the water temperatures as well. The days will remain nice and warm, but nights will become cooler.
Trout will continue to be a target of many anglers. The trout bite will be good on the flats, but you must move to the deeper areas as the temperatures cool the water down. Look for them to be in three to six feet of water this month. My favorite lures are D.O.A. Shrimp or Deadly Combos when trout fishing. Don’t forget to fish the sand holes and drop offs on the flats. Many sand holes are much deeper than the flat and you can expect some nice fish to be hiding in them waiting for that easy meal to drift by. Harbor Branch is especially productive for me during this time of year as well as the Midway Road area. It was a fantastic year for big trout in 2012. There have been lots of big trout around the Fort Pierce area this year.
The pompano are returning to the river and will be a favorite target for anglers throughout the winter. When fishing the surf, use sand fleas or clams and the same in the river. Don’t forget to try a Doc’s Goofy Jig for the pomps. Many are located when they skip behind the boat wake. Keep your eyes open for them.
The snook bite will continue to be good, especially at night. The inlet, jetties, bridges and docks around the river will be holding snook. Lighted docks are very popular when night fishing. Live baits, Bait Busters and Terror Eyz are very popular for snook fishing. Don’t forget the spillways when the water is running over them.
Redfish can be found hanging under mangroves during the day and will strike a D.O.A. Shrimp or CAL jerk bait. You might also find some hanging under some of the docks around the river. Look for them in shallow water as long as the sun keeps the temperatures warm. A gold spoon can be another good lure in winter for hooking up on a redfish.
Docks and bridges will hold black drum, sheepshead and the sand perch should also show up this month. Live or dead shrimp always works best on these fish. I love fishing docks this time of year. You just never know what might be lurking under one. I fish my lures from up tide of the dock, so that it will stay under the dock. You only have to twitch it and can fish it much longer that way. It’s always a challenge in getting a fish out from under one, but the excitement is well worth it.
You should still find some flounder around on the sand flats of the inlet and river. The mackerel, bluefish and jacks will fill up the inlet this month. Most shiny lures will work on these predators. You can also find them hanging in the channels up around Harbor Branch. It might be windy out there, but the fish will be feeding!
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby, it’s an ADVENTURE!
FORECAST BY: Capt. Charlie Conner
Captain Charlie’s Fish Tales Charters
Phone: (772) 284-3852
Email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
Website: www.fishtalescharter.com