November is a great month for light-tackle fishing in Martin County. The water temps are finally cooling down, which can turn on the redfish and pompano bite at the bridges. We use live shrimp on a 3/8 or ½ oz jig head dragging and bouncing along the bottom near the bridge’s channel fenders and abutments. When fishing the causeways, we typically look for the deepest spots when jigging the bottom. We also use 3/8 oz pompano jigs rigged with a teezer.
Snook season is still open and most keepers are being caught pitching diving baits (pilchards and croakers) and using First Light Jigs at the bridges. As the water continues to cool down, the big snook move further back in the St. Lucie River. The Roosevelt Bridge is always a great fall and winter option for snook. We also spend much time back in the South Fork casting lures at the mangrove shorelines. My favorite lures for this are DOA CAL jigs and Giles Jigs.Snook season is still open and most keepers are being caught pitching diving baits (pilchards and croakers) and using First Light Jigs at the bridges. As the water continues to cool down, the big snook move further back in the St. Lucie River. The Roosevelt Bridge is always a great fall and winter option for snook. We also spend much time back in the South Fork casting lures at the mangrove shorelines. My favorite lures for this are DOA CAL jigs and Giles Jigs.
The flounder bite can turn on this month for gigging and jigging. Some areas to try are the flats near the inlet, the causeways, and the docks along Sewell’s Point and Indian River Drive.
The snapper bite has turned on at the wrecks and reefs within 3 miles of the inlet. Cut sardines and menhaden work well on a weighted circle hook rig. Simply cut the head, tail, and belly off the baitfish and send it down. We also use double hook chicken rigs with live shrimp and live pilchards if available.
Stone crab season has opened up and the crab-trap buoys can hold triple tail. Most of these buoys can be found near the main channel of the Indian River between the causeways or North of the Jensen Beach causeway. Simply free-line live shrimp near the buoys on a bare hook or 1/16 oz yellowtail jig.
The Spanish mackerel and bluefish should be showing up soon for fun with the family.