Date: 11/26/2011
By Captain Eric Davis
By now we have had a few cold fronts, and the water temperatures have dropped a little. If we don't get a lot of wind, the water should clean up nicely, and the winter season is upon us. Start looking for fish to move around a little more on those warm sunny days. Snook will show up on East facing shorelines, looking for that early morning sun to warm up the waters. Bright, sandy, mangrove shorelines that don't get a lot of current or wave action are sure to produce. Redfish and trout will also haunt for these shorelines.
Long cast with small lures or flies will work well. Try using lighter leaders or bite guards to get them to take. Approach these shorelines with caution! Sounds from the boat and boat wake, will both be an issue. Trolling motors are sometimes the kiss of death, but if you have to use one, try keeping the power consistent. Up and down on the speed will make it even worse.
Small jacks and ladyfish are all around the river system. These fish tend to prefer the current, and hang around any kind of drop off or depression on the flats, just looking for that easy prey. The spoil islands tend to be a good producer. Fast moving lures and flies are great, and it seems like the more erratic you move it the better.
Trout action early in the mornings should be concentrated to deeper channels, holes, or the I.C.W. They will also move to the flats to warm up. These fish can be as wary as fish get, hyper sensitive and not very aggressive. They will test your skills as much as anything that swims. Grass flats with sand holes are the area's to target. They will use those holes for ambushing and for temperature changes.
The sandy parts of the flats will warm up faster. The cleaner the water,
the more wary the trout seem to be. A good rule to follow is the cleaner
the water, the smaller the bait or fly. Try even darker lures and flies
when it is super clean. Bluefish and mackerel are off the beaches and
tend to travel up and down the ICW. Spoil islands that are near the ICW
will have faster current spots. Try those for the trout, jacks,
ladyfish and bluefish.
Happy Fishing!!