Late November Gulf Coast Fishing Report: Offshore Kings, Inshore Reds, and More

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the Monday fishing report for Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast on November 24, 2025. If you’re fixing to wet a line today, conditions look promising for both offshore and inshore action. **Weather is classic late November on the Gulf:** - Expect morning temps in the upper 60s rising to low 70s with a light east wind tapering midday, shifting coastal breezes to a bit more southerly. Skies are mostly clear, giving the green light for topwater action through the early bite. National Weather Service reports bay and inland waters are choppy—keep that in mind if you’re planning to run out to deeper wrecks. **Tides and Timing:** Cape Coral and Naples show a low tide in the early morning—Naples bottomed around 7:26 AM and high at 2:21 PM according to NOAA. It’s a moderate tidal swing, with falling water this morning transitioning to a strong incoming around lunchtime. Sunrise was right before 7 AM in Naples and Cape Coral, with sunset coming up at 6:48 PM. The Farmers’ Almanac and tides4fishing agree the evening hours will offer another productive window, especially as the solunar tables label today as “fair” to “good”—look for those evening bites to be strong inshore once the water starts moving up again. **Fish Activity & Catches:** Silver trout, redfish, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel have been bending rods inshore around oyster bars and bayou points. Big trout are chasing mullet schools on sandy flats from Mexico Beach to Sanibel according to fishingreminder.com, with red drum stacking up in the passes near dusk. Nearshore reefs outside Anna Maria and off Cape Coral have put out solid reports of mangrove snapper, small grouper, and the odd cobia lately. Offshore, king mackerel are moving south as water temps drop into the 70s, scattering bait and leading to some surprising blackfin tuna catches 15–25 miles out. Boats running out of Clearwater and Tampa are getting on lane snapper and “football” blackfins trolling live threadfins and sardine-imitating plugs. **Lures and Bait:** You can’t go wrong with live shrimp or pinfish under a popping cork for inshore trout and redfish. Gold spoons and white Gulp! jerk shads on 1/8 oz jigheads have produced steady action in skinny water. If you’re working near grass or potholes, toss paddle tails in natural colors—think rootbeer or greenback. For mackerel and jacks, fast-moving silver spoons or white bucktails are the ticket. Offshore, flat-lining live blue runners or trolling Yo-Zuri “Bonita” hardbaits is scoring kingfish and football blackfins. **Hot Spots:** Two must-try locations today: - The flats along Pine Island Sound outside Matlacha Pass—look for tailing reds and trout as the tide rushes in after noon. - Bay County’s Gulf County Canal and the mouth of St. Joseph Bay—excellent for sheepshead and slot reds, particularly around the rock jetties as the water pushes up mid-afternoon. **Reminders:** Don’t forget your sun protection, and keep a close eye on This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.