As deep fall sets in and winter approaches, the weather is generally more comfortable and predictable. No pop-up thunderstorms like summer, and hopefully no more late season tropical weather. Coastal kayak anglers delight in the fact that trout and redfish have ganged up in the marshes and water temperature keeps them close inshore and hungry.
The end of daylight savings time brings sunrise and sunset a little earlier. The milder temps mean that you do not have to launch at the crack of dawn in order to beat any oppressive heat. One drawback, however, is that quick evening trips after work are limited due to earlier sunset times. All-in-all though, it is probably the best time of the year for kayak anglers.
Speckled trout have returned to the marshes from the exterior bays and barrier islands. They school up in good numbers and with the recently reduced bag limits, kayak anglers can often brag about catching their 15-fish limit in short order. However, reports are that some anglers are having to cull through several more fish to get to the new 13-inch minimum size. (Not really a bad problem to have.) Many anglers have reported running into piles of 12 ¾-inch fish, but those fish will soon become legal. If the management plan works as expected, larger amounts of bigger fish will continue to be found as the years go by.
Catch and release
As for redfish, they are also under new size and creel limits since June. Reds must now be between 18 and 27 inches and no bull reds greater than 27 inches may be kept. The two-inch increase in the minimum length is also causing some weeding through of shorter fish, but catching is the fun part anyway. The total creel has been reduced to four fish. The good news is that redfish are fairly hardy and the milder water temperatures helps to increase the survival rate of caught and released redfish.
Flounder can also be caught in the same places and using the same techniques. However, flounder season remains closed throughout November and any caught must be returned to the water.
Be it trout, reds or flounder, proper care and handling of released fish increases their survival rate upon release. Keeping the fish in the water as much as possible and, especially with redfish, fishing a tighter drag shortens the fight time and lowers stress on the fish. Using circle hooks also cuts down on the chance of hooking fish deep in the throat or gills.
From personal experience, redfish hook-ups on circle hooks is high, but is a bit more difficult on trout. Take a minute or two to properly revive the fish alongside the kayak and it will swim away strong and live to fight another day.
Encountering duck hunters
As mentioned above, there is no need to launch in the dark to get to fish. As the sun comes up, the water temps rise a bit and the fish become more active as the morning wears on.
Another good reason for the late start is it helps to avoid encounters with powered duck boats as November kicks off duck season across the state. Today’s shallow-water mud motors have these boats running in inches of water and simply staying near the shore with the kayak is no guarantee of safety. The duck hunters get out and set up before dawn. As you ply the marshes chasing fish, listen for gunshots and be on the lookout for decoys.
If you encounter duck hunters, stay far away and move along and let them have their space. Just the presence of the kayak and the angler actively fishing is enough to flare ducks the hunters may be working. Most duck hunters will be gone by mid-morning and those same areas that produced ducks, likely hold fish.
Make the most of your time
Start fishing immediately after leaving your launch site. Fish can be found nearly anywhere in the marsh this time of year. Even if you have an intended hot spot farther away, fish your way there as you may stumble on fish. Fall is a great time for trolling, so keep a bait out as you move along. A plastic tail/jig head combo, live minnow or a suspending stick bait all make great trolling lures.
Don’t overlook the larger bays and lakes. Trout are regularly holding in the bigger water expanses. Trolling or fan casting with a popping cork is a great way to locate where they are situated. Catch a fish and then work the area 360 degrees around the kayak before moving on.
Most of the areas you will be fishing will be fairly shallow. Use a stake-out pole to quickly post up on an area you find fish. A quick stick in the mud lets you quietly set up on a good bite without spooking the fish with a noisy anchor.
Live shrimp are generally available into the deep winter months, but are oftentimes not needed. A small arsenal of artificial lures can be highly effective. Pick out a small variety of your favorites that allow you to fully cover the water column and you’ll be ready to catch fish no matter what presentation they want or where they are holding.
Play the weather patterns. The few days before and after cold fronts provide more stable and predictable fish patterns. Kayaks in high winds are uncomfortable and harder to fish from. Target the settled weather days and you will put more fish in the ‘yak.