November and negative tides

As November rolls in we’ve already experienced a couple frontal systems with the strongest and coolest one right on top of us as I’m putting these thoughts together. As I put away October’s tide schedule and plug in November’s, my first observation are the negative tides that begin this month and will continue through February. They’re a bit more subtle this month but they’re here. For the most part, they’ll occur around the new and full moon. It’s a great time to fish the shallow flats in and around the bays and sounds of Charlotte Harbor if you have a shallow draft skiff that’ll allow safe navigation. Most importantly, a skiff that will allow you to get around without tearing up the mixed sand and grass that makes up the habitat. Moreover, a push pole or even a trolling is the preferable way to get around. Too, if we get a decent north wind around these tides, they’ll even be more extreme. All in all, some of our favorite game fish will gravitate towards the deeper cuts, holes, and depressions on the flats waiting for the tide to come in until they can roam around. It’s at this stage, they can be grouped up and somewhat easier to find.