Week of 11/6/23-11/12/23 Fishing Report

East Coast Florida Fishing Report:

Fall fishing in southeast Florida is starting up nicely with the nearshore fishing coming alive more and more each day. Showings of bluefish, mackerel, small to medium size jacks, pompano filling in along the beaches, and plenty of sharks as always.

The offshore bite has been just as spectacular. The recent eastern and northeastern winds are pushing clean blue water up on the reef, bringing all the life of the gulf stream with it. If you have been able to push offshore and battle the recent 15-30 knot winds and 3-6 foot seas, it can be well worth your while. Some early winter arrivals of wahoos and sails, along with a solid mix of gaffer size mahi and a few blackfins at sunset. Weather windows this time of year can offer unparalleled bottom fishing in our waters, from the reef to the deep.

The fresh water is lighting up as well with the largemouth bass becoming more active, along with the usual cool weather arrivals of black crappie. When you find one crappie, there’s usually some more around. Keep casting. Peacock bass and clown knife fish are not a fan of the cooler water, so they usually stage up in the deeper, warmer water as the fall and winter months progress and the water begins to cool.

Remember, when fishing with any type of lure, especially here in southeast Florida where there’s no shortage of toothy fish, “if you got two you got one; if you got one you got none.”

Gulf Coast Florida Fishing Report

Inshore-

Pompano and permit are moving through- we have had an astounding amount of Permit caught from Pensacola Beach this Fall. With a few pompano tournaments going on it’s a clear indicator it’s time to Target with our pompano jigs from shore or the pier. I recommend a 3/4-1oz Pompano/MYCRO jig to outcast the competition. If you are fishing from the beach fish the holes and rips- on a south wind day with some good wave action stirring up the sandbar is best. Overcast conditions is also preferred as the pompano tend to stay deeper away from east predation by the ospreys and sharks.

King Mackerel and Spanish have been caught from the piers on casting jigs and dead bait. RYP and micro Deeps have produced for me. Sheepshead are moving around the docks and rock piles now that the fall temps have started to affect the Surface Sea Temps. Lastly for inshore- the night bite for redfish around 3 mile and Bob Sykes bridge has been consistent. Hitting anything they see I say throw a Myrco jig or crappie in a large size.

Offshore- If you have the ability to get out during the weekdays the 3 day windows have been plentiful! Most guys are pushing around the Ghetto and out to the Floaters in search of Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna. Of course nothing beats the new SEMY for the Blackfin! So much so you’ll have to sneak past the Blackfin for a good chance at a giant yellowfin! Some warriors are taking full advantage of the extended Red Snapper Season and hitting the right windows on the weekends to pack the freezer. STRYKE 240g black and the Yellow WYLD 220-320g are always a go to. The FADS have been hit or miss mostly seeing some small Blackfin but no large numbers of Wahoo yet.

Written by: Ryan Smith @gulf_coast_slow_jigging