[kubackdylan]

One possibility is that this fall, water temps are still quite high (this morning the Watson place on the Chatham river had 76.3 degrees water - at 4Am... courtesy of NDBC.com). As a result, I'm betting that many of the fish are still out along the coast or in nearby areas - and not up inside that much... If I had a kid using shrimp under a cork or on the bottom - and we weren't catching much at all.. we'd be scooting towards the outside to be fishing in places - where the fish actually are..
The next few days water temps will finally begin to drop and once we're in cooler weather (daytime highs 70-74 air temps and much colder at night) fish will flood back up inside - where they should already be on a normal year....

Hope this helps... I consider a water temperature gauge on my skiff as an essential piece of rigging and I really use it during winter..

"Be a hero... take a kid fishing"

Thanks that makes sense I was pretty far in the mangroves I was gonna give the outside a shot but I decided against it. I’ll have to look at my garmin next time for water temperature and I’m still thinking about a trip with captain.

 

[kubackdylan]

any recommendations on a good Fly Fishing guide on the skiff? Headed that way in early Jan and wouldn't mind getting out for a day or two to chase anything on the fly.

i think lemaymiami can help you.

 

[rickc]

Just remember 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water and 90% of the fish are caught by 10% of the fisherman.

Local knowledge is priceless.

But if the only reason we went fishing is to catch fish there would be lots fewer fisherman. For me just being out there on the water and experiencing all that happens out there is why I fish. Catching fish is just a bonus.

 

[Waterlog]

Whenever I fish a new area it's all artificial. For me it's always flies but soft baits are also a good choice. My goal on day 1 is always to cover as much area as possible and take a good look at the areas that I catch or spook fish. Normally before long some patterns develop for where fish are holding and how they want to be fed.

When it's really tough I put the rod away and pole right into the areas fish should be holding. For me I want to see that fish are in fact present. In areas where I do push fish out I'll remember the area and tide stage for another day. Normally this technique will also reveal patterns of the areas fish are using.

When I recently returned to Tampa Bay after 6 months of guiding Trout up north I spent 2 full afternoon's on the platform checking spot after spot. This technique has quickly dialed me in and right from jump my clients have been tight to Snook and Reds.

my 2 cents

Good advice.