In a case of taking the bad with the good, the high pressure system that has produced blustery conditions all week has limited coastal fishing opportunities. That said, the bite was on fire last weekend with the new moon tides and cooler water temperatures. Those who ventured out were rewarded with a variety of fish and lots of ‘em.
Trout were aggressive and fought hard in the cooler conditions. Topwater lures produced, along with jerk baits and plastic minnows. White and pearl are still the top color choices, although gold and silver patterns were effective as well. The majority of the action came from depths of three feet or less over sea grass flats and sand potholes.
Redfish were equally aggressive and took a variety of offerings, including weedless spoons and topwater stick baits. Flooded shorelines, backcountry tidal creeks and rock grass patches were all holding hungry red drum, many of which were mid- to upper-slot or even over. A few giant black drum are around and the sheepshead are getting thick on the flats, especially near oyster bars and small rock piles. Black sea bass are increasing in numbers as well.
With the cooler temperatures flounder are on the move. Target them around pinch points, oyster bars and sandy troughs on the flats. Mud minnows, finger mullet and plastic grubs or shrimp lures hopped along the bottom will tempt these tasty flatfish.
There were some reports of cobia landed last weekend. These brown bombers are making their way slowly south and probably won’t stick around for much longer. A large bucktail jig or Gag’s Whip-it Eel lure on a medium-heavy rod will handle any ling encountered.
The weather pattern is expected to finally change, with winds gradually diminishing. The direction will stay mostly from the northeast until then. With the waxing crescent moon phase, tides will be moderate. Highs will occur before dawn and bottom out after lunch with less than 2.5 feet of water movement. The best opportunities will happen the first hour or so after daylight with a very high activity period. A high solunar window will be available the first hour of incoming after the dead low.
Offshore enthusiasts can take advantage of a few more days of red snapper season. Private recreational anglers can fish November 21-22 and again November 27-29 in the Gulf and state waters. For more information, visit www.myfwc.com
Copyright 2020, Capt. Dave Lear. All rights reserved.