Ray and Marv came up from Florida for another three days of fishing. They had some specific goals in mind and we met them all! First day was for quantity and the duo landed 30-40 rat reds on mud minnows under corks. Second day was sight fishing on the flats where we saw tons of backs and tails crushing bait in the skinny water. These fish had a preference for cracked blue crab and we caught reds up to 9lbs. Third day was docks where we managed to dredge out fish up to ten pounds. A great run!
Fishing was great in October, and we can expect November to be just as good! Chilly nights remind redfish and trout that they had better eat soon or it will be a long few months ahead without any food. Artificial lures have become very productive as natural bait leaves our waters. Take advantage of sunny days and go chase some fish!
As water temperatures decline, redfish have begun their seasonal phenomenon of forming huge schools. Schools of fifty redfish will become common and they can grow as large as 100-150 during the winter. These fish are more wary this time of year and artificial lures can spook them. Instead of casting at the schools, we will throw out as many as three lines with chunks of blue crab or mullet on #3/0 circle hooks and just put the rods in holders. Eventually, the redfish will find your bait and bend your rods over with some astonishing hits!
For trout, artificial lures continue to work very well. Trout hang together and when you catch one there will likely be others in the immediate area. Lures in hues of gray and blue are performing the best when paired with a 1/4oz. jighead. Remember to move your lure slower than usual as the fish slow down with the cooler water temperature. Try to touch the bottom with the jighead and wait until you feel the pull of a striking fish.
Popping corks are still great options for both trout and redfish. Live shrimp can be used again with the bait stealers gone. I’ll attach a three-foot leader to the cork and a size 1 circle hook on the other end with a split shot a foot above the hook. Cast along grass banks, over oyster beds, and at creek mouths and watch for that cork to disappear! It can be challenging, but when that cork drops, reel as fast as you can and let the circle hook naturally set itself. A big hook set can sometimes rip your bait right out of the fish’s mouth.
See you on the water!
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