Time marches on.   Welcome, month of November.    Can the onset of winter make fishing better again?   We need something.   There is an exodus:   People leaving because the fishing has crashed.     I have considered joining the exodus.

So what has been happening?   Speckled trout.   Just ahead, an explosion in this activity.  There are good trout being caught but we are one cold front away from Trout Mayhem around the region.    Topwater lures like the Mirrolure Top Pup are killer on shallow-water trout.   Zero harvest.  Closed until at least May, 2020.  

Sheepshead:  If you like these, take along some live shrimp on your outings because they are on the flats.   Fly rodders can trick a sheepie but the lure people don’t get it done.   A live shrimp won’t be turned down.    Minimum length:  12 inches.   Tip:  Let go until about 14 inches

Mackerel and bluefish are around.   The amount of baitfish is the reason why we have so many of these predators around.    The bluefish should stick around through a lot of the winter months.   Mackerel will migrate off sometime during the next month or in early December.   This might be a banner year for bluefish.    We ran into massive schools of small ones.   The small ones eat and eat and eat and they grow.    This should lead to massive schools of five pound bluefish.    You are allowed to keep ten.    I treat them like an invasive species.     I take them home and they get put on the smoker.    For two hours.   Heavy on the other ingredients, bluefish are turned into fish spread.  

Conditions are getting ready to change.    We are all looking forward to seeing what that does after a long, hot, dreadful summer of poor action overall.    How resilient is the fishery?    People leaving the state:  You can hardly blame them.  

Redfish:  Not an option.   If you can catch one, you have had success.    Pompano:  Good if you can find them.   Bad if you can’t.   They simply didn’t show up in locations where they have been caught for years.    Strange.   Very strange. 

I wish I had better things to say.   Things just aren’t like how they used to be.    My attempts to get this addressed:   A complete failure.    The people in charge have turned their backs on the stakeholders and the residents in general.   No accountability.     Elected officials, zero effort to represent the voter.    It’s the worst that has ever been as well.    The governor:   A failure.   Me:   I try.    My efforts are for “what’s best for the state.”   No agenda for anything else:   It is a shame that my input goes unused.  

Let it be cold!

Call to book a trip if you want to get in on the fun. Kayak fishing trips are fun, instructional and a great investment if fishing is going to be your hobby in the future.

As always: Be careful out there!

Neil Taylor
www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345
LivelyBaits@aol.com

Poachers are common thieves.    See a poacher, report a poacher!

If you suspect a wildlife or boating law violation, report it to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Reward Program: 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Cell phone users can reach us at *FWC or #FWC, depending on your service provider.

Most cell phones allow users to send text messages directly to an email address. You can text Tip@MyFWC.com ; standard usage fees may apply.

Supply as much detailed information such as the location of the offender, the boat description, number of people on board, clothing, vehicle information and give the dispatcher your phone number.      Do this discreetly.   You do not want to have direct contact with these people.

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