Fishing has been good despite windy conditions. When there has been little drift due to small tides or a competing wind against the tide those days are usually better redfish days. Good drifts, those not too fast, not too slow are often good for seatrout. Stripers prefer strong moving water and generally bite best at the last of the incoming or first of out going. Bait (shrimp) is still in good supple but George Rentiers of Joey’s Bait Shop said shrimp are becoming more difficult to fine. Usually most bait shop will try to remain open until New Year’s. Don Adams said he’ll stay open as long as he can find bait. For those depending on live shrimp, be prepared shrimp can be plentiful one day and gone the next. Bait shops south of Savannah often will be able to find bait longer into the winter than local bait shops. The closest bait shop that is likely to have bait into the winter is Harrison (good luck on getting them to answer a phone). Now is the time to dig out that mud minnow trap or look for finger mullet in the heads of creeks. For those wanting to get away from baits you’ll be surprised at what you can catch. Jerk worms, grubs, paddle tails will catch plenty of fish!
Redfish action during the past week has been exceptional! The trick has been to get out of the wind and fish structure. Redfish will hold on almost any structure. These fish are schooling and putting on their winter feed bags so when you find they can be easy to catch. I always suggest keep a few if you wish and release the rest. Despite the seeming abundance going light on the resource is only smart.
We’ve had some great seatrout action this month and we’ll likely see more good action through December. November is usually our peak month for seatrout but given the mild conditions we’ve seen we’re likely to see some great trout fishing in the coming weeks.
Stripers have been biting but for the most part these fish have been the smaller fish. As days shorten and temperatures drop big fish will move into local water availing themselves to flies, jig and bait. Days with slow drifts are usually poor stripers days. Stripers like active water, shadows and structure. The colder the water, the bigger the fish!
Tides for the coming are gentle decreasing tides. Expect the trout bite to be more scattered. Redfish action should be excellent. Striper action only fair due to small tides. Overall fishing will likely be very good.
Tip of the Week
Gentle tides approach the drop you’re fishing as quietly as possible. Ease your anchor over, be quiet and you’ll likely catch more fish.
Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan