The beginning of November was the end of our Fall pattern. With temperatures going up and down; water and air, November is usually one of the hardest months to fish. Fishing patterns changed on a weekly and sometimes daily basis. To give you an idea of what captains have to deal with, our water temperatures change by 10 plus degrees in a 24 hour period. Air temperatures change by 20 -30 degrees.
Lucky for me, my customers have picked the right days to get out on the water. I started out the month captaining the Kings, on their offshore vessel. They have been exploring the offshore wrecks of the Ten Thousand Islands. We hit several locations, teaching them how to read the bottom, notice bait clusters, and what to look for in tide patterns. Pictured below is my outing with the King family.
Pictured below is a couple of scouting pictures and the Tarpey group. These beginners to the area cleaned up on Trout and a number of other species, on their first Florida fishing experience. They are hooked, now.
We were hoping to get a couple of pictures from other charters. Shark fishing has been outstanding throughout the month of November. We have had quite the number of encounters between Hammerheads, Bulls, Lemons, and Blacktip Sharks. These fish come in to the Ten Thousand Islands to breed and feed during the cooler months. I expect it to continue through the months of December and January.
Snook are moving back in to the creeks and river mouths. Redfish are still abundant. Finding them in slot has been a challenge. They are either too small or too big. I had the pleasure to take out a couple of fly guys, trying to take down these fish. Mike and Joey are probably the top anglers of the month. I say this because I didn’t get hooked on this trip. As other guides will tell you, one fly guy is enough. Two is pushing your luck! And my neck is still sore from ducking. They got it done with no injuries to the captain or crew. Featured below is Mike with his first, but not last, canal Jack on the fly and his largest Snook on the fly, to date.
Fishing has been phenomenal for Trout. Everyone is going home with a Trout dinner. Here are some pictures of my customer Matt with his Trout dinner and a typical display of what we have when we return to the docks.
This is what our table looks like on Trout Taco Tuesday.
Here are a few pictures from my client Lee. He’s showing what he learned from fishing with me in the past. Also pictured is me, on one of my scouting expeditions. Did I mention the Snook and the Redfish are starting to move back in?
The freshwater is starting to heat up, as well. Pictured below is Carsen, my new protege. Fishing my spots, he found himself a few Peacocks and a Pleco. A few tips for those venturing on foot, watch out for the snakes and gators. If you come across a Pleco, please get rid of it. They thrive on fish eggs.
I expect the rest of December and January to be amazing. Red tide never made it to the Ten Thousand Islands and the fishing has been outstanding. I still have some dates available. Give me a call to book your next charter.
Tight lines,
Captain Jim Fortman
239-325-7109
Backwater Fishing in Naples & the Ten Thousand Islands 