Fishing the Everglades

November in the 10,000 Islands 

The Redfish certainly showed up in October. We have been steadily catching good Reds. This should continue into November, and the bite should stay strong all month. The trick to catching a good bite has been the incoming tide. About two hours into the incoming tide and the water is up enough to fish shorelines without the fish being back in the roots is a good time to try. Cold fronts can become a problem and can shut the bite down. Strong SW winds can also be a problem. These can stir up the water so bad it will be impossible to fish the outside. But, as long as things hold out and the weather is mild, the Reds should continue to cooperate. As the month progresses, these fish should move up the rivers and into the backcountry. This means we should catch fish all winter long back there. 

The Snook bite has been so much better inshore finally! I am hoping this holds out as well. These fish really turned on in October, and I have had some 40 fish days, which is good. Some really nice fish, but plenty of juveniles too. November should see more of these fish moving into the backcountry, also. Baitfish such as Mullet, Pilchards, Threadfin Herring, and Glass Minnows have inundated the islands. And this is what has fueled the bite! This year, the mullet have come in really nice and Snook, Reds, and Tarpon are feeding on them as the tide rises. If you find a good push of baitfish, you should find a good feed! The one on the hook is always easier for the fish to find, so use what they are eating if you are live bait fishing. 

Tarpon are passing back through the Islands also. November has been the month that I have landed some of my biggest. Large Mullet are what they are targeting this time of year, but they can be caught on a variety of baits and artificials. It's always great to get out when the bite is hot! There are fish scattered all through the Islands this time of year, and if you just keep moving and working, you are bound to have a great day on the water catching! 

With the Islands teeming with life, keep your options open and be ready! You never know what is going to happen! Good luck this month! 

Captain Mike Merritt was born in Coral Gables, Florida, lived in Australia as a child, and then moved back to Everglades City, Florida, where he graduated from Everglades City High School. He caught his first snook at the age of eight and has been catching them ever since. He is a third-generation fisherman and has been guiding in the Everglades National Park for over 30 years. While the glades are his primary fishing grounds, he also owns The Amazon Prime Ecolodge and has been fishing in Brazil’s Amazon for the last 12 years.