A new month: Updated reports; STKF gift certificates!    Enjoy this edition!

Good tidings will be the theme with the action varying with the unpredictable cold fronts of winter.   With good weather patterns, lots of fish will be caught on the open flats.   With dismal weather, the best action will shift into the canals, creeks and residential docks.    With sheepshead and black drum joining the “regular suspects” at those same docks, it’s a way to stay out of the wind and get into the action.

The cooling of inshore waters will mean opportunity but you need to make the right choices.   For the next three full months the only shallow water opportunities are for redfish and the largest speckled trout.    Moving to areas of deeper water and structure, particularly after a string of cold nights will be the way to connect with the inshore gamefish. 

With dismal weather, the best action will shift into the canals, creeks and residential docks.    With sheepshead and black drum joining the regular choices at those same docks, it’s a way to stay out of the wind and get into the action during the tougher weather times.   It hasn’t happened yet, but it’s coming. 

Speckled trout just haven’t really kicked in full gear yet but they are here.   Give it one more real cold front and get ready for six months of strong action on trout.   NOTE: Infux of bluefish could spell trouble for trout.   I have not heard other people saying the same thing but the last time we had excessive bluefish I witnessed them free range grazing on speckled trout.    Topwater lures like the Mirrolure Top Pup are killer on shallow-water trout.   Trout are zero harvest in this region for five more months.     To keep a trout go an hour and a half north.  

Sheepshead fishing is already getting “winterlike.”   If you like these, take along some live shrimp on your outings because they are on the flats.   Fly rodders can trick a sheepie but the lure people don’t get it done.   A live shrimp won’t be turned down.    Other baits are fiddler crabs and sand fleas (if you can get them).   Shrimp are pretty easy to acquire.   Fresh dead will work as well as live IF they truly are fresh.   Keep them on ice and use about a 1/0 size hook.   Sand fleas are another tremendous bait.   Easier to find than in years past, live sand fleas get the job done.    Minimum length:  12 inches.   Tip:  Let go until about 14 inches.    Dip in egg, dip in flour and throw in hot oil.    Sheepshead are great to eat.  

The bluefish should stick around through a lot of the winter months.   Mackerel have thinned somewhat but should stick around if the weather pattern settles back to mild.  I am actually hoping that there are fewer bluefish around than I am hearing.  They are eating machines.  In the absence of other things to have, they will eat our other fish.  Fun to catch, leader line under 40 pounds, you are going to lose a lot of tackle.   Tip:   Throw a topwater lure to them.    They do not get their teeth to the leader when they eat a longer plug like a Mirrolure Top Pup or similar style lure.    Tip #2:    Bright gold three inch paddle tails.  

A good sign of things to come:   Thanksgiving fishing with Alison.   Big fish where I expected them to be.   Big trout.   She hooked a giant ladyfish.     Great action early in the tide.  

December 1st, it may be time to consider this:   Gift certificates for Strike Three Kayak Fishing instructional kayak fishing trips.   2014 was a record year for instruction and STKF clients did extremely well fishing on their own, winning many tournaments but just enjoying better success on the water than before they got the instruction.  It is easy to do.  Just reply and let me know you are interested.  I will send you the file you can print or print it and mail it to you. 

The schedule has plenty of openings on great tides so speak up if you want to get out there and into this action!   As you will see in the reports, the fronts did not wreck the fishing and there are great fish to be caught and water temperatures at a perfect level for success.Neil Taylor
Owner and guide:  www.strikethreekayakfishing.com
(Cell) 727-692-6345  LivelyBaits@aol.com
Owner and site administrator:  www.capmel.com

Neil Taylor
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