What To Expect
When it comes to fishing in November, expect the unexpected. There are a few variables that play a big part in November’s fishing venues in the middle Keys, and all the Keys’ waters for that matter. Cold fronts are a big factor, and their intensity as well as duration play a big part in moving bait as well as triggering migrations of many species of fish and crustaceans. Gulf stream position can also fluctuate from day to day, so it pays to try to keep track of its location. This is not always an easy task as gulf stream data that you may find on weather sites may be as much as a week old. It is important to note the date of the position as it is associated with all reports.
Gulf stream data is derived from satellites and updates are posted by the Naval observatory in Mississippi. If there is a lot of cloud cover, they cannot determine sea surface temperatures hence no reports are available. Sometimes the Navy has other things to do, believe it or not, and gulf stream data is not a priority.
How can I tell if I am in the Gulf stream?
I get this question a lot. There are two ways. The most obvious, considering that the general direction of the flow of the gulf stream is generally east northeast (ENE) about 45 degrees give or take. If the wind is blowing around fifteen knots or more out of the east or against the current, the seas will be noticeably higher. There will literally be a sharp line from 2-3 foot seas, to 4-7 foot seas or more. This is a direct result of the wind pushing against the current. That’s the edge of the stream.
If it is calm, or there is no noticeable current edge, try this simple trick while heading south. Slow your boat to seven knots, or seven miles per hour, whichever unit of measure you prefer. Without adjusting your throttles, turn your boat to the east, If your speed picks up dramatically, like from 7-9 knots, you have found the current. You can also turn west and you will see your speed over ground go from seven knots to four or five if you are in the current. If your electronics are set up with temperature sensors, you will see a noticeable rise in the surface water temp.
It is quite common to have the stream be within a couple miles of the reef and in November you can find some outstanding dolphin and wahoo fishing very close to the reef. Try to work the edge, either with live baits or trolling rigged ballyhoo. Sometimes the latter is the preferred option as you can cover more ground efficiently, just make sure to have your live baits ready. Keep an eye out for the usual suspects like frigate birds and terns working the edge, sargassum seaweed and floating debris.
Quite often we get an early push of sailfish in November and it is mostly related to cold fronts. I expect to see a good run of early season sailfish considering the abundance of ballyhoo that are in our area waters. Some north wind and a temperature drop should get them going nicely. Typically we’ll head out early in the morning, do a little reef fishing and catch some snapper and grouper as well as our ballyhoo. (Ballyhoo are very fragile baits and need to be caught on site immediately prior to use) Next we look for bait sprays and birds working on the reef or just offshore of the reef. When the sun gets up a bit around nine o’clock, it’s time to take your live baits and start looking.
Sight fishing for sailfish is an intense and very cool type of fishing. These fish will aggressively pursue ballyhoo on the reef and there may be multiple fish in one group. Imagine running at twenty-five knots to a scene of chaos with bait flying out of the water and frigate birds swooping in from all angles trying to get a quick meal. As you slow down in thirty feet of water you will clearly see the bottom in the gin clear water - more importantly, you will clearly see the fish chasing the bait as you make your approach and cast your live bait right to the sailfish. Persistence pays. It may take a few casts to get one to eat. Be sure your bait is very lively because that is critical. You will be rewarded with a visual and acrobatic overload, game on. After a picture and some high fives, go catch a few more.
Sailfish, wahoo and dolphin combined with reef and wreck fishing is what November is all about. It is important to be versatile so you can move seamlessly from one fishery to another as weather and availability of any given species dictates.
Welcome to November, tight lines and good luck!!!
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
8
Author