November 2009 Tampa Bay Fishing

The warm conditions we experienced last month have kept our fishing patterns pretty much the same. Most of the creeks in the upper bay have had a lot of fresh water held up in them due to the late summer rain fall. The water in the north end of the bay has taken on a different color shade (from red to green) making visibility tough. However we still managed to keep bait alive and find fish more than willing to eat them.

Bait of course has been easy to come by on most of the popular flats that are known to produce them. If the cold air happens to blow through this month, the bait will start to drop off the edges of the flats. If this happens make sure to have a back up plan in case you can’t find them. If this warm weather can just last through this month we could be in for a real treat heading into December.

Snook

We have had to feel our way through the dark so to speak when trying to locate Snook due to the unclear conditions. It has been somewhat hit or miss, but when we have found them they have fed for us very well. They’re starting to stage up in the mouths of many of the creeks and canals on both sides of the bay. If you see schools of finger mullet being showered chances are Snook are on the chew.

Plug casters should try working top waters and jerk baits along the edges of the creeks just after daylight when the fish will be most active. As the day warms and brightens up switch over to a jerk bait or gold or silver spoon. If the water temps can come down slowly we should see the Snook really start to turn on.

Trout and Redfish

If the water temps can drop a little, the specks will start to turn on back up in the creeks and deep residential canals. As of this last month, Trout were still hanging out close to the bait schools on the flats. Work the edges of the grass with live bait or lures for a shot at some last minute gators. After the 15th it’s catch and release Trout fishing for our area until New Years day.

The reds have really been active along most of the upper bay shoreline and we have had a couple exceptional days catching over 30 fish. They are however on the move and chances are if you find them held up in an area one day they might not be there the next. As the weather cools the fish will start to settle into there typical winter comfort zone which is in the shallows.

Live bait has produced most of our fish but they will take whatever Redfish looking lure you throw at them. A stealthy approach is always key when stalking reds in the shallows. Even the hum of a trolling motor will push the fish out of casting range and even shut down a bite completely. The use of a push pole is highly recommended when targeting these reds.

Best of the rest

There are still plenty of other species hanging around and should bite well for us this month. The chances of seeing a few Cobia are still good especially around the bridges. They may even show up while drifting a flat for Trout. Mangrove Snapper have still been biting along the edges of the Port Tampa ships channel and around the bridges as well.

Spanish Mackerel have been very active in the mornings north of the Howard Franklin Bridge. Just look for the birds to be working over an area and have some spoons or jigs handy to cast into the madness. Anchoring up and chumming will draw them in as well near a bridge or range marker. There are also plenty of Jacks, Blue Fish and other toothy critters swimming around so make sure you have the proper rigging on board.