Offshore November/ December 09
Capt. Ron Neff

This time of year brings the best bottom fishing. But this will become difficult with the closures on our fisheries come January. Fuel gets cheaper, the boat runs better and the fish are chewing. Let's get out there and catch some of the biggest grouper and snapper of the year and quite possibly the last time in our lives we will be able to enjoy offshore bottom fishing. With a campaign by the head of NOAA fisheries calling for a 35-year total closure on bottom fishing in the South Atlantic waters. (I hope everyone caught that... a 35-year total closure on fishing for everyone) Enjoy it while we still can. Plan to break some fish off this winter, these fish are large and with the water temps lowering, they are frisky.

The near shore waters will be holding many species of fish. The grouper and snapper will be on the known, and not so known, areas out front and they will be hungry. Live bait will entice the larger species and dead bait will work to fire up a bite. Look for a run of cobia, as they will still be around. This has been a strange year with a multitude of cobia all summer long. Kingfish will be here and there, but not quite as thick as the summer kingfish season. There should, however, still be a few smokers. Gear up for big fish or you will lose a lot of tackle and may not even get one in the boat.

The offshore waters outside of 25 miles in 100 feet of water or more, will be a good bet for some really big and hungry fish. The bottom bite out there gets extremely good in November and December. Be ready for some monsters. Amberjacks, grouper and red snapper will be loaded up on the wrecks and reefs and the 28-fathom line, as well as the steeples. The deeper waters hold many species like tilefish, rose fish big porgy's and large scamp grouper. These species tend to move in a bit and there have been tilefish caught in water as shallow as 280 feet during the winter months. Lots of exhausting fun to have out there when the bite is on.

If the bottom is not your game, there may be some sailfish left out on the Gulf Stream edge and maybe a few dolphin or a stray wahoo. It is a tough call on the troll bite--it can be sparse in the winter so bring the bottom gear.

When you get the right weather to head offshore in November and December, I'm sure you'll be happy with the day. The boat ramps are not crowded, the radio is quiet and the fish are chewing the bottom out of the boat. Get out there and get 'em before it's illegal. Be safe and have fun.

Capt Ron Neff
www.absolutetrip.com
386-689-2037