Captain Don Taylor, Jr
904.318.9906
inshoreoutdoorsfishing.com
October turned out to be a fantastic month of fishing. The Northeast Florida area managed to dodge the Hurricane bullet, thankfully. Please keep our friends in the Big Bend and Panhandle area that didn’t fare so well in your thoughts and prayers. The Panama City and Mexico Beach areas were devastated. I pray they have a safe and speedy recovery.
The water temps should continue to fall throughout the month of November. In doing so, many of the game fish such as redfish, trout and flounder will be transitioning to a fall pattern and start to school up. Redfish will be schooling in creek holes, around oyster beds, and structure. As the schools get fired up, throwing artificial lures will be my choice for bait. Plastics and shallow running hard baits around oysters and through creek holes will produce good numbers of redfish.
For live bait offerings, a mud minnow or shrimp pitched in the same location will be very effective. As the tide gets high, focus on the grass lines and docks.
The trout bite was good last month, however, the cool crisp early morning top water bite will be even better this month. A Skitterwalk or Spook Jr. first thing in the morning will result in epic and violent hook ups. A popping cork drifted around the grass lines and eddy’s will also put trout both yellow and speckled in the boat. The trout bite will also be very good in the St. Johns River… on the last of the incoming tide or first of the outgoing.
Plastics jigged in 8 to 20 feet of water will land the bigger trout and produce good numbers as well. Methodically check your depths starting in the shallow areas then work the ledges to deeper water to locate the schools.
The Mullet run was still strong in November last year, but the temperature and other variables change from year to year. The Flounder bite has been tough this year. The water temperature and crazy weather has affected the migration pattern.
On flounder trips this year, the majority of the flat fish are being caught on the banks of the ICW and in the Sound. The traditional method of methodically working an area very slow is still your best bet. A ⅜ ounce jig head tipped with your favorite plastic curly tail or a mud minnow slow rolled is the lure and bait of my choice.
A spinner bait will also result in hook ups on both Flounder and Redfish.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for. We live in the greatest country on Earth, we are free to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends and live in the land of opportunity. Be sure to tell the Military, First Responders, Police Officers and the men and women that keep us safe how much we appreciate their service.
If you would like to spend a day on the water catching fish and enjoying the outdoors in Northeast, Florida, please contact me. Also, if you have a question or would like to discuss fishing, feel free to email or call me at 904.318.9906 or inshoreoutdoors@gmail.com.
Inshore or offshore… get outdoors and go fishing!
Captain Don Taylor, Jr.