Outdoors

Captain's Corner

By JIM HUDDLESTON
Published November 21, 2007

What's hot: With calm waters just off the coastline, anglers are able to experience some nearshore action, within a mile of the beach. The Spanish mackerel have been the consistent bite in the morning with some kingfish mixed in. Spanish sardines and greenbacks have been the bait of choice. To increase the bite ratio, use 30-pound fluorocarbon leader instead of any trace wire before the long shank hook. When keeping mackerel for the dinner plate, be sure to have plenty of ice. Hard-fighting bonita also have been mixed in with these migratory game fish and will test most light-action rods. As a bonus fish when working the nearshore wrecks, huge bull redfish in the 40-pound class have been attacking the same baits free-lined for mackerel. These bronze bruisers make for a great photo, but take time to revive this great resource upon release.

The inshore action has been good with an incoming tide. Snook, redfish and larger flounder will use sandy depressions just outside bayous and rivers to feed until the water temperature holds in the lower 60s. Once the cooler water arrives, these fish will use the confines of docks and deep canals for stability of warmth and bait.

[Last modified November 20, 2007, 22:59:22]