Fishing Report – November 20th, 2022

Here is the November 20th fishing report. My reports are published in the Tampa Bay Times every 4th and 20th of the month! Thank you for reading, and I look forward to getting you all out on the water soon! Capt. Brian.

Another week of consistently higher north, and northeast winds has kept the intercoastal and nearshore waters churned up. Water clarity is pretty low and colder overnight temperatures has caused the water temperature to dip to the low 60s fairly rapidly. When this happens, tactics have to change to be successful on the water. I usually abandon the islands in the intercoastal exposed to the winds and focus on the back country, bays and canals, searching for clear, warmer water and structure to find fish.

Finding live sardines to cast net can be difficult, so live shrimp in our officials begin to play role. Fishing edges of flats, where deep water meets the shallow grasses can be very productive for locating predators, cruising the perimeter for food. Especially when the tides are low as they wait to push in towards seawalls, residential docks, and up onto oyster bars.

Live shrimp get a lot of action this time of year since they are easy for predators to catch and not have chase much.  Redfish, snook, and trout are frequent targets using this method, however, sheepshead and mangrove snapper are also thrown in the mix. I’ve been using artificial shrimp, lewers, slowly bouncing them along the bottom in sand holes or just above grass. Slowing down your retrieves and using a lighter artificial lures using lighter artificial lures allows you to slow down your retrieve in the colder waters, allowing lethargic fish to decide to eat.

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