Key West Fishing Report November
Juvenile tarpon are a great target in the fall here in Key West Fishing
November 14th 2020 – Time for the Key West fishing Report. November started off pretty bad. We had hurricane ETA that was doing a drunken path of rain and wind that went all over South Florida eventually heading up and messing with the Gulf Coast. We are happy to see Eta gone. The weather was truly sucky – in a word.
Fishing Report
Now that the weather has cleared the we have been pretty busy here at Dream Catcher Charters showing folks a good time on the water. The last few days have been calm and the waters have cleared up nicely. Fishing both inshore and offshore was pretty good after the storm as I suspected in my last Key West fishing report forecast mentioned.
Inshore Fishing
Backcountry fishing was very good these last few days with some tarpon fishing action at our rod tips. Bigger fish than we have seen in a bit and there are some juvenile tarpon around to join in the fun. For rod bending fun fish the jacks and lady fish have been numerous but we did not see a bunch of trout just yet. add all that to some fine table fare with the occasional mutton snapper and grouper caught that are invited to dinner for lunch as an added bonus.
Flats fishing has been better now that the water is clearing up with our fishing guides getting into some redfish and bonefish. I gotta say that was pretty quick after a hard blow. The water temps did not get dropped so, it is still like the middle of October seasonally here in Key West temp wise. Read more to see what happens at the end of the week.
Offshore Fishing
While not many of us have been deep sea fishing just yet after the blow while we wait for the swells do die down we have been able to get into the occasional sailfish, mixed with bonito and blackfin tunas. Kinda slow out there after he storm but read my forecast and see what may transpire.
The reef fishing bounced right back after the storm. although still a bit murky but the fish are hungry after being in the dark for days on end. Easy bet for some awesome yellowtail fishing and mutton snappers on the reef. Keep in mind the grouper season in the Atlantic is open through the 31 of December. We have been very steady running reef fishing charters since the storm and doing very well out there on the aforementioned species.
Fishing Forecast
The winds will be kind right up to about Tuesday morning where the next cold front starts to approach South Florida and the Florida Keys. By late Wednesday our winds will be up to 25 knots through Friday the 20th of November. Then things will be a bit cooler and some changes will take place. This is normal weather for us this time of the year and we welcome the changes in the Key West fishing seasons to keep the rest of the year ticking along nicely and “predictably”.
Inshore Fishing Forecast
Expect the water temps to drop a bit. This will improve our backcountry fishing with more species in the shallows including more food fish like sea trout and snappers. The tarpon will show back up when the winds clock back to the East. Our flats fishing will once again be stirred up a bit. Sight fishing will be tough right after the blow but I expect with the big flowing tides we will see it clean up quickly. It usually takes a few cold fronts to kill the bonefishing completely but the permit and tarpon will stick around. Look for some pretty awesome barracuda fishing sight fishing on the flats.
Backcountry fishing and flats fishing are without a doubt the most popular way to fish this time of the year when the weather is iffy. Great for bending a rod, catching a fish for lunch or hunting a trophy on the flats while not breaking the bank.
Offshore Fishing Forecast
Work it! If you can handle the seas on the more “salty” days get after it. Deep sea fishing will heat up after the front. Anyones bet who will show up on the reef to eat. Did you know that most marlin fishermen in Key West love November for a shot at the blue marlin near the full moon (sunday / tomorrow) not to mention wahoo.. bonus of a dolphin and shots at tuna. Expect all that with kingfish on the reef getting bigger as it gets colder.
Reef fishing is always good in November with the massive amounts of bait to eat the yellowtail snapper, mutton snappers and mackerel will be on FIRE!. Full moon big tides great reef fishing.
“Salty”, “Sporty”, conditions will prevail on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday into Saturday of this coming week. After that the weather looks great taking us into the holiday week of Thanksgiving.
Fishing Charters
Here at Dream Catcher Charters our motto is Semper Paratus which means Always Ready. We are always ready to take you fishing here out of Key West. Call us and see what our availability is for you to get out with us..
