Captain's Report - November/December, 2006

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

You can't ask for any better time to go fishing. Everything seems to work during this magical month. Cooler temps are welcomed by all as the migration of many species heads our way. Baitfish becomes abundant close to shore, allowing us to target many game fish with live wells filled to the top.

King fishing has been productive for the past ten days. This recent cold front should spread the migration out to all depths in the gulf. The fall run has been pretty much on schedule thus far. Early in the run, numerous big fish could be found closer to shore. Sporadic catches were reported at the depths until this week. That's when all depths produced in a large way. Reports from many anglers catching their limit of these big macks have been pouring in from all depths. The kingfish tournaments could not have been scheduled at a better time. Many big fish will be weighed in.

Cobias, barracudas and giant Spanish mackerel are present with many of the kings around the artificial reefs. The reefs located in 40 feet and deeper are the best ones to target.

Late season tarpon available along our beaches. They can be found loitering in the massive schools of juvenile minnows. Their appetites are quite large requiring little effort to get them to eat. Live pinfish, threadfin herring or horse minnows work fine if presented with a short leader and a float. Tarpon seem to get more active as the day progresses. You can easily spot these silver giants rolling thru the schools of balled up minnows and are easily assessable at all our bell buoys outside the passes.

Grouper fishing has become a hot topic in the past few weeks. A strong push of fish entered the once empty depths of 65 feet. Red, gag and even scamp grouper are now available for anglers. Live bait seems to be the best for bigger fish, but frozen sardines should start to produce as water temps drop. A variety of reef fish have also joined the groupers migration east. Grunts, trigger fish and porgies are readily available using cut squid for bait. For the entire summer it took a ride of at least thirty mile to catch a keeper-sized fish. Now reports are numerous from 60 feet out. The fish haven't migrated to the shallower depths yet. But this could be the month. The degree of re-nourishment of live bottom from the effects of last years red tide, will determine whether or not the groupers come closer this winter. Seeing the fish move into the 60 foot depths sure is enlightening clue that we may experience some good shallow water grouper fishing in the next month.

This is truly my favorite time of year to fish. A wide variety of fish can be targeted by all.

Captain's Report - November/December, 2006

by Capt. Dave Mistretta

Past Captain's Reports