Mother Nature has made things tough

Posted Nov 9, 2012 by Jim Holliman

Updated Nov 9, 2012 at 06:44 PM

BY MIKE ANDERSON

Dropping temperatures and grueling north winds again wreaked havoc on this week’s fishing.

Inshore, the big trout have moved in early, taking advantage of the bait still on the flats. Start your search in areas adjacent to deep water, as this gives them a great security blanket should the air temperatures stay low and they can move to deeper water. Fish rocky shorelines and canals with sea walls in the afternoon, as the rocks and concrete absorb the sun’s rays and that warmth spreads into surrounding waters.

The residential canals are also great places to seek shelter from cold winds. These areas often warm the fastest and tend to hold good numbers of snook and redfish, along with trout, ladyfish and amberjack. Deeper canals with older docks usually are your best bet for action.

Offshore, things are good when anglers can get out. Big amberjack are already visiting the springs, and lots of keeper-sized red grouper are coming over the rail. We still are holding onto some of our kingfish, as well. If the water stays around 70 degrees we should be able to still find a few.

The mangrove snapper bite will slow considerably as temps drop, but we are getting great reports of flounder action on the near-shore reefs. Fish the sandy edges just off the structure with medium shrimp and small sardines or pinfish right on the bottom for best results.

Catch Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the “Reel Animals Fishing Show” on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. on WFLA, Ch. 8, and from 6-9 a.m. on 970 AM, and on Sundays from 7-9 a.m. on 620 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit http://www.reelanimalsfishingshow.com.