Fishing the Florida Keys in November: Cooler Weather, Bountiful Catches

As of November 3, 2024, the fishing scene in the Florida Keys is looking promising, especially with the cooler weather setting in. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water. ### Weather and Tides The weather is pleasant, with temperatures finally dipping into the 60s, a welcome change from the recent heat. Expect partly cloudy skies with gentle breezes. Tides are crucial; today, the high tide is at around 10:30 AM and the low tide at 4:30 PM. Incoming tides often bring baitfish and predatory fish closer to shore, so plan your fishing trip accordingly. ### Sunrise and Sunset Sunrise is at 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at 5:33 PM, giving you ample daylight to explore the waters. ### Fish Activity Fish activity has been robust, particularly in the backcountry. Snook and redfish have been biting well, especially in calmer conditions. Captains have reported good catches of these species in the backcountry areas of Islamorada. Spanish mackerel have also been active, schooling near bait balls in the gulf, making for exciting casting opportunities. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Yesterday saw a good number of snook, redfish, and Spanish mackerel caught. Captains like Jim Willcox and Mike Bassett reported productive days with multiple clients catching decent-sized fish. Tarpon are still present around local bridges and channels, although their activity may slow down as the water cools further. ### Best Lures and Bait For snook and redfish, live shrimp or cut bait work well. In the backcountry, using jigs or artificial lures like the Savage Gear Manic Shrimp under a popping cork can be effective. For Spanish mackerel, troll with spoons or cast small shiny lures. Offshore, gag grouper and kingfish can be targeted with live bait or heavy jigs. ### Hot Spots - **Backcountry of Islamorada**: This area has been hot for snook and redfish, especially in protected areas when it’s windy. - **Gulf near Islamorada**: Look for bait balls to find large Spanish mackerel. - **Local Bridges and Channels**: These are good spots for tarpon and other species like snook and redfish. Overall, November is a great time to fish in the Florida Keys, with cooler weather and active fish. Make sure to check the latest fishing regulations and practice catch and release to help conserve fish populations. Enjoy your day on the water This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.