When It Cools, It's HOT!

By Trey Leggett

Hey folks! Looking outside just now I am noticing that, typical to the South, our landscape, weather, and people are desperately hanging on to the season past. Mother nature is squeezing every bit of warmth from herself before giving way to Fall.

October saw an explosion of hunting and fishing activity in the South. Even though the days were warm and the mosquitoes were rampant, southern hunters saw and harvested plenty of deer. Likewise, the speckled trout bite really turned on, giving many inshore fishermen plenty of exciting days.

Let’s see what’s coming up in November. The proverbial “Wall of Heat and Humidity” is beginning to faulter and cooler air is forcing its way into the lowcountry. With those cooler temperatures we should start to see some more, or different, game movement and activity. If your hunting area is highly pressured by hunters, you will likely see a decline in daytime movement and the deer will hold tight to their bedding areas during daylight hours. Try getting outside your comfort zone and go where the deer are during times of pressure. Depending on your area, that could be a swamp or thickly grown foliage. Instead of hunting from the ground, hang a stand or use a climbing stand to get high enough to see better in these areas.

Don’t neglect to do your part in controlling the feral pig herd. These animals are fast breeding and can be very destructive to your land. If you haven’t noticed yet, deer don’t care for them either.

When it’s not ideal to hunt, there’s always fishing for that beautiful and tasty speckled trout. Presenting a live shrimp, mud minnow, or finger mullet will surely get a pull on your line. Fish around creek mouths, oyster beds and other structure during a falling tide for optimal results. If you’re feeling sporty, throw those artificial shrimp and paddle tail soft plastics on an eighth- to quarter-ounce jig head.

This is a great time of year to take kids fishing; it’s not too hot and they’ll have a great time watching those floating corks go under when a speckled trout takes off with the bait. Another way to keep the kids engaged afterwards is to have a fish fry with the fish caught and let them coat the fish in your favorite batter. It’s messy and that’s how kids like it.

November is my favorite outdoors month of the year, hopefully it’s yours too and you take time to get out there and enjoy it. Remember to exercise safety measures while in the woods and on the water, leave your outdoors plan with another so you’re expected back at a certain time, and follow your state’s fishing and hunting regulations.

Good hunting, stay safe and tight lines.