South Padre: November 2023

Last month I introduced the topic of fish highways and this month I want to talk in greater detail about the signs I look for along those highways. So, aside from weather conditions, let's look at some signs that help me and could help you become more consistent in your fishing.

Tides have great influence over the movement of baitfish and other forage species. Knowing when significant water movement will occur in the area you’re fishing enables you to take advantage of bait movements, which correlate directly with the best feeding periods of gamefish. Two tide days are better than four tide days, as the flows tend to be stronger and last longer. Also, knowing whether the flow is incoming or outgoing is of great importance as it tells you if the fish will be moving in or out of a particular body of water.

Bay waters will turn cooler this month and fish metabolism will reflect this as they will tend to lie inactive on bottom during non-feeding periods. When we navigate the flats and spook fish, we notice them making small mud puffs when they take off. These tell me two things. First, it tells me they may not be feeding actively. Also, the number of mud puffs tells me how concentrated the fish are in the area. Now, I cannot immediately conclude they are in energy-conserving mode by observing only a few mud puffs, but a dozen or more tells me soft plastics worked slowly on bottom might be the best bet to trigger a reaction strike.

Birds can also be of great help. From their vantage point aloft they can see bait, even when it's not visible on the surface. Pay attention, whether they’re actively diving or perhaps just sitting on the water, waiting for an opportunity. We sometimes see them resting on land, which is usually a sign that they (and fish) are in a non-active period. Bottom line; when the birds are active your line should be in the water.

Another sign is an area chock-full of mullet that are only lollygagging, not especially active or acting nervous. This means two things; either there are no gamefish present or they are not feeding.

I have found the bite is usually off when piggy perch are chasing or nipping my plastics. If gamefish were on the prowl the piggys wouldn't be so daring.

During winter, land masses retain warmth, and that warmth will radiate to the water, attracting fish during colder periods. Checking water temperature is meaningful to know what temperature the fish prefer. If your boat is not equipped with a water temperature gauge; you need one.

I have observed and learned all these signs over years on the water. They may not be 100% foolproof, but definitely lend a bit of an advantage in trying to pattern the finned creatures we spend so much time chasing.

Redfish numbers have been decent, but I expect an increase this month with more frequent cold fronts and declining water temps. November is the month of feasting, and so it is with redfish, especially during warming periods between fronts. Mullet will be a staple in their diet, but if you’re in an area where blue crabs are plentiful, you can bet the reds will also be there. Our go-to lures will be Z-Man’s KickerCrabZ, StreakZ, PaddlerZ, and MinnowZ. Preferred colors have been Pearl, Space Guppy, Sexy Penny and Sexy Mullet. We rig these on 1/8-ounce Eye Strike or 1/4-ounce Texas Eye Finesse jigs.

Recent trout landings are giving me great optimism for the winter season ahead. The fishery has rebounded considerably since the devastating February ’21 freeze, aided greatly by the number of conservation-minded anglers practicing catch and release, along the conservative regulations enacted by TPWD. November is the month when trout begin to favor warmer shorelines, drop-offs along the ICW, and deeper potholes on the flats during warming periods. Go-to baits will be Paul Brown's slow-sink/suspending lures, and a mix of Z-Man Diezel MinnowZ, PaddlerZ, and scented Jerk ShadZ in mostly natural baitfish colors. I’m looking for a banner year compared to those we have experienced since the freeze.

Right around Thanksgiving is when we find ourselves in waders pretty much every day. I may be biased but I believe I wear the best waders on the market – Simms! If your budget allows, the Simms G4Z is definitely the way to go. The zippered front seals the deal.