Fishing Report Nov 25 05

November 26th 2005 fishing report by Capt Doug BlantonThe bulls are grazing in the field!!!! I know it's a long story but those of you that have fished with me before know what I'm talking about. The bull reds have shown up but haven't been very cooperative yet. I do have some good news though. Our smaller 20 pounders have been a little more willing to pull a line. The only problem we have had has been finding them. They haven't fallen into a discernable pattern yet. This is typical for them in the winter. If we continue to have some stable weather it should only be a matter of time before they find an area and settle down.RedfishRedfishing has started to pick up a lot over the past week. On days when mother nature didn't blow us off the water we have been able to manage a few fish up to 25 lbs. The larger bulls have been a different story. We have been able to find them a few days but have yet to be able to get close enough to make a cast. All we need is a few calm, warm afternoons to calm these fish down enough to try to hook a run-a-way train. On the few days that the wind hasn't been blowing at 20+ the reds have started to be a little more receptive to top water. Our best catches have come on a soft walk the dog with the 3.25 Florida Special High Roller and the 3.25 Green Back High Roller. One of the major advantages we have had has been the subtle action this lure can have. Our best catches have come by casting 10 to 20 feet over and to the side of the school and slowly retrieving it to within a few feet of the school before starting a gentle walk along their edge. Doing this the fish never see it coming and as long as you keep the action to a minimum it hasn't spooked them out.
3.25 Florida Special High Roller 4.25 Bone High RollerOn those days that the fish have been to spooky to think about top water we have been once again haven't good luck with the 3" 1/4 oz Trout or Pinfish Fingerlings. These swim baits have proven to be one of the best lures I have ever used for spooky fish. Earlier this year we had days on the water when nobody was able to get a red to hit anything and we were able to consistently put fish in the boat day after day. The key is putting it far enough in front of the school and letting them come to it before you start your retrieve.
3" 1/4 oz Trout Fingerlings3" 1/4 oz Pinfish FingerlingsMost of the reds we have found over the past few weeks have been in shallow water less then 2 feet. I can't say they've been near bait or patchy areas because as I said earlier I haven't been able to find a pattern. I say this because redfish are creatures of habit. Over the years I have been able to fish the same areas day after day and tell you that they will swim past this clump of grass at 8:30 and over that sandy area at 9:00. One day I find them at 6 in one place and the next they are somewhere else at the same time. I have yet to see a pattern with bait or even grass. Each day it has been a game of hide and seek. All I can say is that it shouldn't be long before they just go nuts trying to put on a few pounds before winter gets here. TroutTrout fishing has been a little more predictable than the reds. We have been able to put a few good fish in the boat but it has all been in the early mornings in or around small schools of bait. Our largest trout has only been about 4 lbs but compared to a few weeks ago that's great. The best part about the trout has been their willingness to bust top water. We have had a blast with popper flies and top water plugs. That is one of the best things about winter time trout. When the water gets cooler the trout get a little spunky. You don't catch a lot but the ones you do will pull a little more drag.Our best catches have come on the 3.25 Blue Shad Rip Roller. in the mornings up until around 8 am in less than a foot. After that we have put more fish in the boat on drop-offs using the 3" 3/8 oz Pinfish Fingerlings.
3.25 Blue Shad Rip Roller.3" 3/8 oz Pinfish FingerlingsEverything elseThere are a few nice things about cooler water. Jacks, blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano, ladyfish and flounder. One of the great things about fishing Cocoa Beach is Port Canaveral is just a few minutes away. On days that the fishing has slowed down or the wind has blown us off the flats we have been having a good time playing with the drag burners. This has to be some of the easiest fishing you can find on a clod winter day. all you need is something shinny with a hook and some wire leader and your set. The port has been loaded with fish willing to pull line. The only thing that's missing is you.November 26th 2005 fishing report by Capt Doug BlantonThe bulls are grazing in the field!!!! I know it's a long story but those of you that have fished with me before know what I'm talking about. The bull reds have shown up but haven't been very cooperative yet. I do have some good news though. Our smaller 20 pounders have been a little more willing to pull a line. The only problem we have had has been finding them. They haven't fallen into a discernable pattern yet. This is typical for them in the winter. If we continue to have some stable weather it should only be a matter of time before they find an area and settle down.RedfishRedfishing has started to pick up a lot over the past week. On days when mother nature didn't blow us off the water we have been able to manage a few fish up to 25 lbs. The larger bulls have been a different story. We have been able to find them a few days but have yet to be able to get close enough to make a cast. All we need is a few calm, warm afternoons to calm these fish down enough to try to hook a run-a-way train. On the few days that the wind hasn't been blowing at 20+ the reds have started to be a little more receptive to top water. Our best catches have come on a soft walk the dog with the 3.25 Florida Special High Roller and the 3.25 Green Back High Roller. One of the major advantages we have had has been the subtle action this lure can have. Our best catches have come by casting 10 to 20 feet over and to the side of the school and slowly retrieving it to within a few feet of the school before starting a gentle walk along their edge. Doing this the fish never see it coming and as long as you keep the action to a minimum it hasn't spooked them out.
3.25 Florida Special High Roller 4.25 Bone High RollerOn those days that the fish have been to spooky to think about top water we have been once again haven't good luck with the 3" 1/4 oz Trout or Pinfish Fingerlings. These swim baits have proven to be one of the best lures I have ever used for spooky fish. Earlier this year we had days on the water when nobody was able to get a red to hit anything and we were able to consistently put fish in the boat day after day. The key is putting it far enough in front of the school and letting them come to it before you start your retrieve.
3" 1/4 oz Trout Fingerlings3" 1/4 oz Pinfish FingerlingsMost of the reds we have found over the past few weeks have been in shallow water less then 2 feet. I can't say they've been near bait or patchy areas because as I said earlier I haven't been able to find a pattern. I say this because redfish are creatures of habit. Over the years I have been able to fish the same areas day after day and tell you that they will swim past this clump of grass at 8:30 and over that sandy area at 9:00. One day I find them at 6 in one place and the next they are somewhere else at the same time. I have yet to see a pattern with bait or even grass. Each day it has been a game of hide and seek. All I can say is that it shouldn't be long before they just go nuts trying to put on a few pounds before winter gets here. TroutTrout fishing has been a little more predictable than the reds. We have been able to put a few good fish in the boat but it has all been in the early mornings in or around small schools of bait. Our largest trout has only been about 4 lbs but compared to a few weeks ago that's great. The best part about the trout has been their willingness to bust top water. We have had a blast with popper flies and top water plugs. That is one of the best things about winter time trout. When the water gets cooler the trout get a little spunky. You don't catch a lot but the ones you do will pull a little more drag.Our best catches have come on the 3.25 Blue Shad Rip Roller. in the mornings up until around 8 am in less than a foot. After that we have put more fish in the boat on drop-offs using the 3" 3/8 oz Pinfish Fingerlings.
3.25 Blue Shad Rip Roller.3" 3/8 oz Pinfish FingerlingsEverything elseThere are a few nice things about cooler water. Jacks, blues, Spanish mackerel, pompano, ladyfish and flounder. One of the great things about fishing Cocoa Beach is Port Canaveral is just a few minutes away. On days that the fishing has slowed down or the wind has blown us off the flats we have been having a good time playing with the drag burners. This has to be some of the easiest fishing you can find on a clod winter day. all you need is something shinny with a hook and some wire leader and your set. The port has been loaded with fish willing to pull line. The only thing that's missing is you.until next time.....Get out there and catch a memory. Capt. Doug Blanton
To book a trip with Capt Doug www.SightFishing.com or call 321-432-9470