Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico
Capt. Dave Pinkham
November 23, 2000
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
Approaching Cold Fronts Excite Feeding Frenzy
Action on the Gulf was good early in the week. Not only did we do well with some grouper and kingfish aboard my boat, but I also talked with several of the other local fishing captains who said fishing was real good for them too.
The cold front that passed through on Sunday shook things up a little bit. On Saturday and Sunday we had a warm wind out of the south as it backed up into the approaching front. The kingfish must have felt the barometric pressure dropping as the front approached because they went nuts. I don't think I've ever lost so much terminal tackle on one charter. We must have lost eight king spoons, three planers, and a stretch lure, but who's counting. Not only were the king mackerel shredding the surface, the little tunny and the barracuda were going ballistic. I've seen this cycle repeat itself over and over each year. As the weather changes the fish's moods and feeding patterns change with it. Generally as a rule, in the fall as the cold fronts approach from the north the fishing action can really break loose. This rule of thumb not only can apply to the Gulf fishing, but to the inshore bay fishing as well. As I say this I want to remind you to use caution when fishing ahead of an approaching cold front. Sometimes as these weather systems approach, conditions on the Gulf can be somewhat unpredictable and can change for the worst very quickly.
Anyway when the front finally pushed though late Sunday and the wind switched to the northwest high pressure flooded over the state. On Thanksgiving Day everthing broke loose with grouper, kings, and big Spanish mackerel all cooperating.
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