15 November 2019 Red fish on fire is carrying over from Oct
Capt. Jim Conant
November 15, 2019
Matlacha - Saltwater Fishing Report
15 November 2019
Reds on fire is carrying over from Oct
Since my last report I've not been out as much as normal. From shoulder surgery to seeing my son graduate Infantry school and Airborne school around Thanksgiving, I've been traveling or laid up. But the times I've gotten out and talking with other Captains shows me the Reds being on fire in October has carried on to November. Since the red tide outbreak over in the sound I haven't ventured over that way to check it out. But Matlacha Pass from the river to Burnt store bar and beyond is awesome! I've been catching Reds on cut mullet on my last trip and lady fish the trips before. Snook on white bait and smaller pin fish. I fished the full moon the other day and it was tough and we had a front coming thru in about 18 hours. We saw plenty of fish this day and had a school of 20 slot snook in front of the boat that wouldn't touch anything we threw at them. We did manage to get a few nice reds and some fun Jack crevalle to bite and get their picture taken but it was a slow day in my eyes.
Now that we have these fronts coming down every couple of days the water temps should be dropping and snapper and sheepshead will be getting bigger and better. Tides will be starting to go negative on the low tides so the water available to fish will shrink up also unless you have a boat that can run in a few inches. High tides won't be that high so if you have normal channels you run at certain tide heights you may have to wait for hi tides to run them. Fish the flats on the beginning of incoming tide to see the reds come up onto them for food and warmth from the sun.
It's almost time to be buying shrimp, because as the water cools the bait goes away. I get my shrimp and FRESH Mullet at Barnhills in Matlacha. I buy hundreds of shrimp at a time. And when you buy a hundred from Barnhills fishery or Seven seas bait shop in Matlacha you actually get a variety of bait sizes not just the tiny ones that won't even fit on a hook. Barnhills opens up at 6 am. I am there every morning I fish to get my Ice and fresh mullet. I get shrimp there when I know catching bait may be hard. Otherwise I will head out and if I am having trouble catching bait and on my morning time crunch I will swing by Seven seas bait and tackle to the east of Matlacha bridge that is easily accessed by boat and grab a couple hundred shrimp.
Courtesy notes for the snowbirds:
When catching bait: quietly get into the bait areas when others are already there. Troll in if possible. Stay away from other boats chum slicks when possible. Be polite and don't start fishing where guys are catching bait or cruise by closely to see what we're up too.
When fishing: STAY away from boats fishing. Someone may be courteous and wave you to get closer but do so slowly and quietly. If someone is in a spot you were headed to go somewhere else and wait for them to leave. It's your loss if you didn't get there first, so don't ruin the other guys fishing. Don't follow guides!
Running the waters: If someone is fishing open waters take it wide around them to not mess them up. In the back country it is very likely to be running around the islands and all of a sudden a boat is pinned up next to it. Try and steer away if possible, it's not always possible if there is another boat you have to split between. Just waive or show it wasn't on purpose and hopefully they don't pay you back like an immature clown. DON'T FISH IN THE MIDDLE OF A CHANNEL OR BACK IN THE MANGROVES BETWEEN ISLANDS WHERE TRAFFIC FLYS THROUGH. Otherwise it's your fault and people don't have to slow down to be courteous because they may have to stay on plane in order not to hit bottom.
As always if you see me out there Say Hi and where you know me from. I am an extremely nice guy and a bit reserved and don't really talk unless spoken too.
Check out and like my Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jimbocharters/ and Instagram #jimboscharters page for recent pictures and trips. If you're ready to go fishing give me a call to plan your trip so we can try and catch the tides right. If you're a Disabled/ Retired Veteran or first responder, I have discounts for you. I'm also on Facebook at Jimbo's Charters where I post pictures if my clients let me and my website www.Jimboscharters.com and my You tube channel I am slowly building https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhDg-V7oR-ex6W-5ztwLAQ
Captain Jim
239-671-4692
Target Species:
Red fish, Snook, snapper, sheepshead
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