Adaptation to changing fishing conditions in southwest Florida is crucial

Cold fronts rushing across the peninsula and beyond into the Florida Strait provide fishing opportunities both before and after arrival.

Adapting and taking advantage of the ever-changing conditions they bring can be difficult, but it is paramount for fall and the upcoming winter catch.

Before a typical frontal boundary, the winches begin to turn clockwise, combined with a drop in air pressure. These conditions in front of the front traditionally lead to increased feeding activity both in coastal wild fish and in coastal pelagic / reef species.

After a front moves through the region, the wind component will be on land with a gradual shift to the north and east, again with high pressure building up and the weather pattern dominating. Many target species become more difficult to catch as they acclimate again, while other species actively feed in cool water.

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Ahead of the recent front, shallow water enthusiasts across the region tangled up with redfish and snook in the middle and rear bays. When throwing live bait, bait, and flies, the action around points, areas of overturned deadwood, and deeper shorelines was constant.

Northwest winds and cloudy water temporarily slowed wild-fish action, only to replace it with a moderate bite of speckled trout, pompanos, and sheep’s heads, throwing jigs, slicing shrimp, and showcasing live shrimp under a traditional popping cork.

It is important to note that speckled trout or spotted sea trout are again open for harvest in all waters of southwest Florida. Temporarily closed due to the devastating red tide outbreak in 2018, the harvest was closed on 1.Anglers may own speckled trout 15 to 19 inches in length and no more than one fish per vessel over 19 inches in length.

Out in the distant offshore areas and in the nearshore arena, the catches were mixed. Cooling golf temperatures have resulted in the dispersal of king mackerel and bonito, but not the large schools that typically appear in mid-November. Stay tuned though, as solid reports of outstanding pelagic catches are only a county or two away.

As Gulf temperatures plummet into the low to mid 1970s, combined with levels of cloudiness caused by cold fronts, anglers targeting snapper have found they are quite cooperative. Heavy chumming tactics and a light tackle presentation will result in easy boundaries for yellowtail, mangrove, and vermilion snappers along with a good number of high quality mutton snappers to complement the crate of fish.

Remember that success in catching in the fall depends on your ability to fish with and around the conditions. While the elements actually add to the overall challenge, figuring out where to go and what to throw keeps us all busy, and things are certainly more than interesting, both shallow and deep.

Offshore: “For us, all day fishing on board the Solo Lobo was active,” said Captain Eric Root. “Typically for mid-November, some king mackerel, mangrove snapper and gag grouper come over the railing.”

Root ventured more than 50 miles offshore aboard Port O Call Marina-based Solo Lobo and found a beautiful variety of reef fish feeding over rock piles, wrecks and ledges. Live squirrels and pinfish were Roots top gag grouper bait, while live shrimp and small squid fooled its crews.

During his travels, Root has crossed the trails with large schools of baitfish that are 55 to 70 feet deep. Roots anglers often stop to look and hook up on a variety of king mackerel and bonito casting wire-rigged 2-ounce white bucktail jigs and trolling No. 2 planer / spoon combinations.

Naples / Estero Bay: On board my Port O Call Marina-based guide, the Grand Slam, I’ve kept my anglers busy catching a variety of exciting species. While exploring the entire coastal arena, the action was constant.

Along the beaches and the inner passes during the high tide phase, we kept our rods bent and tangled up with Spanish mackerel, Jack Crevalle, blue fish and Marian fish. Flashy bucktail jigs that are stocked with fresh prawns and quickly brought in were our best tactic.

Speckled trout and pompano, both chartreuse and darker soft plastic jigs, and pink tube jigs have been snapped in the middle bays, deeper back bays, and island cuts. Even tipped with shrimp, slow hauling in was required for the bites.

Ten thousand islands: “Fly fishing was good to excellent in the upper reaches of the Ten Thousand Islands,” said Captain Paul Nocifora. “With fronts pulling through, the conditions for some excursions become a bit challenging.”

Nocifora’s leadership skills have resulted in his diligent working on small to medium sized bays and oyster bars during the low tide. Snook and redfish are throwing a white lightbulb pattern and have bent the rods for Nociforas Caster.

During the flood phase, Nocifora turned its attention to mangrove coasts and currents. Snook, mangrove snapper, and big Jack Crevalle are fooled by throwing a variety of sinking baitfish patterns.

When you have a report, email captwill@naplessportfishing.com.

Anglers, email your photos to news@naplesnews.com or post them at www.naplesnews.com/participate and we’ll put your pictures together in an online gallery that is presented every Thursday morning on www.naplesnews.com will. Do not send photos of illegally caught fish.

See similar https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/outdoors/fishing/2021/11/17/adjusting-changing-fishing-conditions-crucial-southwest-florida/8646864002/

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