October was a great month for fishing in all of our lagoons for slot size redfish, some really nice sized gator sea trout and bull redfish.

Anglers are still catching some big bull redfish on top water plugs and finding large schools of spawning redfish on the deeper flats adjacent to sandbars and dropoffs,especially when there are bait pods in the area.

Halloween has come and gone, November is here, and fall is right around the corner.

The high water levels in the Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River last month that allowed fish to spread out into some very shallow water areas previously inaccessible to them, will continue to be with us for a short while. 

Right now is still a good time to fish the open culverts and skinny water for redfish and sea trout that are foraging on crustaceans and small baitfish.  The fish are "spooky" but catch-able if you practice stealth approaches and use artificial baits that imitate what they are feeding on.

As we move deeper into November and the temperatures drop into the fish's preferred feeding range, their metabolism perks up, the fish feel the need to eat, and they will become more active for longer periods of time. 

 

 

 

The 32" Gator Sea Trout above was caught in very shallow water this Halloween evening on a 4" Chug Bug.  The fish was ambushing finger mullet around a grassy island prior to a cold front that was moving into the area.

 

Apparently the reds are still in their spawning mode, and since it looks like we may be going to have a mild winter, they will probably remain that way for a couple more weeks into November. 

When the fish finally settle into their winter feeding pattern is when we should see some monster redfish tailing on the backside of the very shallow warm water flats.  A great time for fly fishermen in skinny water.

The fishing pressure usually decreases on the Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, and Banana River Lagoons during the winter, and the redfish and seatrout will be much more cooperative, especially in the extremely shallow waters around the perimeter of the waterways

As of last week in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge marsh areas, there are still newly flooded grass beds everywhere you look.

Most fishermen pass up these areas in favor of fishing the banks of the Indian River however, the marsh canal and small ponds are loaded with black drum, sea trout and oversize redfish. 

The next time you drive through Peacocks Pocket road to watch the migrating waterfowl or gaze at the gators, check out the marsh canal for telltale swirls along the bank. 

 

Watch for scattering baitfish or unusual movements around the submerged grassy islands. 
 
Often a carefully placed cast to these areas will get you a hook up with a nice redfish or a sea trout.

The problem once you get a hookup is landing the fish. 

 

The banks of the canal are lined with heavy brush and mangrove roots and unless you quickly horse the fish onto the bank, you may not get a chance to take it's picture.  Break offs are common.
 
I've lost several redfish well over 30 inches and a couple of big gator trout this year because of the heavy brush along the banks.

When the water gets colder this month, the diets of the fish will begin to change.

As the baitfish leave the lagoon systems, the shrimping season in Central Florida begins to peak.  This makes shrimp the primary diet and bait of choice for late fall and winter fishing.

You can still catch fish on live mullet, clams, cut baits and a variety of artificial lures, but shrimp tends to be the "go to" bait for most anglers.