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Action Returns As Cold Weather Leaves
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Published: November 4, 2008
Updated:
The first cold blast of the year arrived last week, quickly sending water temperatures down up to 15 degrees, so fishing took a three-day hit to wait out the winds and the return of some warm air. The pattern of periodic fronts will challenge anglers to pick and choose their fishing days carefully. Fish, particularly this early in the season, generally will be impacted negatively by sudden water temperature drops, adjusting to them gradually as the winter engulfs us.
But as the fronts pass and warm weather follows, rebounding water temperatures and subsiding winds provide the opening anglers want. Fish that had been lying low and not eating return to their normal feeding patterns, often vigorously. Anglers also can take advantage on the front side of cold fronts. A falling barometer is a dinner bell for fish, which feed heavily before weather systems arrive.
Tackle shop roundup
Dixie Lee and Bait and Tackle, 352-596-5151: Mackerel were schooling and being caught in large numbers in 12 to 15 feet of water west of the Weeki Wachee River. Fish have been running from 18 up to a whopping 30 inches. Trolled spoons have been taking them, along with a few kings to 25 pounds. Live sardines have also been good medicine for the macks.
Hart's One Stop, 727-938-5364: Reds have been a good been at the north Anclote Park. Fish have been running up to 27 inches, with a few oversized fish reported. Live shrimp and small, live pinfish have been working well early and late in the day. The back of Anclote Key has been another spot for reds. Fish to 30 niches have been around Dutchman Key, taking live shrimp. There have been a few snook taken in the same area. The fish have been up along the mangrove lines.
Pier 60, 727-461-7732: Mackerel have been around in good numbers, running 18 to 19 inches. There have been bluefish running with them, with most 12 to 14 inches. Gold spoons, Gotcha Plugs, shrimp and live sardines have been the baits of choice. Trout fishing has been on. Fish to 18 inches have been common, along with some short fish. Live shrimp and sardines fished under popping corks seem to be getting the job done best.
Redington Long Pier, 727-391-9398: Flounder have move in around the pier and have been providing anglers with some good action. Jigs tipped with shrimp and bounced along the bottom in sandy patches amidst grass have been working well. Fish 17 to 18 inches have been the norm, with a few fish up to 24 inches reported. Trout fishing has been good early, before light, and after sunset. Fish have been taking live shrimp and sardines under popping corks or free-lined. Most have been between 15 and 18 inches, with a few fish larger. Mackerel have been around is good supply. Fish 15 to 17 inches have been schooling, taking Clarks silver spoons, Gotcha Plugs and live shrimp well. Live sardines also have been working well.
Nick Stubbs is founder and webmaster of Bitetracker.com, a fishing Web site specializing in daily fishing reports displayed on animated fish tracking charts.
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