A Total Backwater Adventure

Exciting November ahead of us.

It really has cooled down in the morning now; the run across the harbor is becoming a little less enjoyable. With all the recent wind we have had, has made it difficult to get out and relax a day on the water.  But, if you ventured out onto Charlotte Harbor lately you would have discovered a number of changes. Some for the better, others for the worst. The worst of is the winter creeping up on us, has to be the tide. I guess another way to put it, is the lack of tidal movement. There were a couple days where you could of drove a truck from Ponce Inlet to Alligator Creek. We are talking very low water conditions, where you could not run the inside. If you step back and think about the water condition for a moment. You will figure out that, if you?re not up in 2 to 5 inches of water, neither are the fish. What I do as part of a normal practice, is watch where the mullet are running. This will tell you where predatory fish are like Snook and Redfish. Most of the fish we have found has been outside the bar. Following the large mullet schools on there journeys. Redfish action has been hot; the bite has been on cut pinfish. With the large breeders running together in schools. We are talking fish over the 20lb range. These fish have been found outside Turtle Bay bar in the 2 to 4 ft of water range. Also, just down from Burt Store on the east side of the harbor. These fish are a pretty easy catch if you bring the right tackle. I?m using my normal inshore tackle with 20lb power pro, and a 30lb leader. Your outside the bar, there are no mangroves to get broke off on. The real only way you get broke off will be a drag setting error. Late in October we found some fish that ran so fast we had to pull the Power Pole and actually chase the fish. These fish ranged in size from slot fish, up to 42 inches. Way to big for the dinner plate, but great photo?s for clients. One other thing I would like to mention about catching these fish is the size of the hook you use. Everyone knows the importance of a circle hook.  This is by far the best choice for this task, as long as the hook is large enough so the fish is unable to swallow it. We have stepped up hook size from our normal 2/0 size to a size 3/0 or even 4/0 circle hooks. The snook fishing has also been doing well. With many keepers, moving up into the tidal creeks and canal systems. With all the bait readily available, the snook are fat. Many 10lb slot size fish have been caught this season. I found some of the best fish I have caught have been taking on a free lined greenie under the docks. Try fishing inside Colony Point , or around the Alligator creek area. Ponce inlet is also a good bet for snook, on a fast moving tide.  It really doesn?t matter whether it is incoming or outgoing, as long as you have movement the fish will eat. Another note is the Trout are still chewing; drift the grass flats around Pirate harbor. Just inside the bar or near the channels, a shrimp under a popping cork is always a great way to get the kids involved and busy. Tarpon are still in are harbor in the 20 ft holes. Plenty of large threadfin hearing have been around and is great bait, for late season tarpon. You may have to try drifting the bait several different ways, such as under a cork or free lined.  But it won?t take long for you to discover how they want the bait presented to them. The rewards are great for late season tarpon anglers, with some of these fish weighing close to 100lbs. till next month, stay warm, dry, and fish through it. We only have about 5 months left of these conditions.

Capt, Andrew can be reached for Charter info at 456-1540 or on the web at www.FishFloridaTarpon.com, 

Check out the bi-weekly video fishing report coming soon at WWW.FishFloridaTarpon.com