There’s no use in sugar-coating it. This month, normally one of the best of the year to fish, has been way off. The culprits are hot, dirty water and too much wind. Thankfully the pattern will be shifting to more normal-like temperatures coming on the heels of Hurricane Zeta and a trailing cold front.
With Saturday’s full moon, the tides will be extreme this weekend, with well over three feet of water movement. Lows will occur in the early mornings, followed by daylight highs in the mid-afternoons. Expect very high activity the first hour of daylight and the last two hours before the crest. Winds are predicted to be of moderate levels from the Northeast to North. But bear in mind the typical track record of the weather-guessers.
Overnight lows are forecast to dip into the 50s and even upper 40s, so the fish will be shocked at first. But then expect a turn-on as the inshore waters cool off from the previous 80s. This is the autumn trigger we’ve all been waiting for. It will also likely be the last chance at pelagics like Spanish mackerel, pompano and bluefish before they scoot off for warmer climes. A small silver spoon like a Kastmaster, diamond jig or Dirty Dick’s will mimic the glass minnows and other forage these speedsters are keying on. Watch for surface activity, diving birds and jumping fish to pinpoint the action. Bluefish, ladyfish and jacks are likely in the mix.
Pompano won’t linger around, but stragglers are likely to be in the sand troughs on the flats or off the barrier islands. A yellow or pink pompano jig or tan bucktail hopped along the bottom will trigger strikes as these sight-feeders key in on puffs of sand.
Flounder should be on the move as well. Slowly work a Sureketch white/pink tail tout along the bottom near pinch points, cuts between oysters or creek channels. A CAL Stark Naked or Arkansas Glow shad tail pinned on a chartreuse head is a dead ringer for bull minnows, a flatfish favorite. Of course, the real thing or finger mullet cast-net along the shorelines will seldom get turned down.
Trout and reds have been scattered due to the wacky conditions, but expect that to improve. A topwater plug like the Heddon Super Spooks, MirrOlure Top Dogs or Rapala Skitter Walks danced in the low-light hours will get pounded. Patterns with some gold are the top producers with the current water clarity. Suspending lures like the Cotton Cordell Redfin or Unfair Rip-n-Slash are more good choices.
Tried and true weedless spoons are the most consistent lures for redfish lately, with blue crabs on the move. Aqua Dream versions in gold or pink are scoring the most, with watermelon and chartreuse more options.
With November on tap, let’s keep our collective fingers crossed for a return to a more normal autumn season along the Forgotten Coast.
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.