The Tampa Bay Times
Cooler weather is always expected this time of year and along with it comes higher winds. Switching gears and exploring the backcountry can be very productive, but sheltering from the conditions is imperative for success. The water temperature also drops fairly quickly, so I like to use artificials lures that mimic shrimp, as well as working small jerk worms slowly along the bottom. Live shrimp can surely be deadly but not necessary to do well. There are many areas to target. Residential docks will always hold sheepshead and redfish as well as snook. I do prefer dead sticking cut bait or live shrimp under the docks so the predators can smell for them and pick them up off the bottom. Oyster bars line many of the seawalls and mangroves in residential canals offering great action, especially along the edges during low tides. Here you may find ladyfish, jacks, trout, redfish, sheepshead and snook. Working artificial shrimp or small root beer colored jerk worms parallel to the oyster bars and along the edges falling into deeper water will be your best bet. As we head further into November, the cooler weather will also provide action just offshore. On calmer days, spanish mackerel and kingfish will be targeted by many anglers looking to reach nearshore fish, 2 to 5 miles from the beaches. Look for pelicans diving on schools of threadfin herring. Anchoring up and chumming can bring action to the boat or slow trolling baits in the area will also get strikes.
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