Weekly Fishing Report October 30 – November 5
Explore this week's fishing reports from Texas, Florida, Missouri and North Carolina, featuring catfish, redfish, trout and more.
This week's reports bring encouraging news from freshwater and inshore fisheries across Texas, Florida, Missouri, and North Carolina. Catfish kept anglers busy at Lavon Lake, Jacksonville's fall trout bite delivered strong results, and a 30-inch brown trout made for a memorable outing at Lake Taneycomo.
This report includes guide-reported fishing information and official weather outlooks to provide anglers with a broader picture of what's happening across the country.
Fishing Highlights October 30 – November 5
Biggest measured catch: A 30-inch German brown trout at Lake Taneycomo, Missouri.
Most productive catfish outing: Around 20 catfish caught during a Halloween trip at Lavon Lake, Texas, including a 25-pound fish.
Best inshore slam: Redfish, snook, and spotted seatrout landed on the same trip in Pasco County, Florida.
Strongest speckled trout action: Jacksonville, Florida, delivered limits of speckled trout, alongside weakfish and other inshore species.
Notable North Carolina bite: The Neuse River produced speckled trout ranging from 10–13 inches, with larger catches measuring up to 24 inches.
This Week’s Fishing Reports
Texas: Catfish Deliver at Lavon Lake
Lavon Lake in Texas delivered productive catfish outings despite challenging weather conditions. Zachary Esch of ZD Fishing Guide took two clients out for a Halloween fishing trip on October 31, and the group landed approximately 20 catfish. The biggest catch weighed around 25 pounds, making it the standout fish of the trip.
The following day's outing brought foggy conditions and strong easterly winds, but the group continued to find fish. They landed approximately 10 catfish, including one weighing around 15 pounds and several others close to 10 pounds. Across the two outings, catfish accounted for the action, with the Halloween trip producing the highest numbers and the largest catch. Despite the changing weather, Lavon Lake continued to provide opportunities for anglers targeting catfish.
Florida: Redfish, Snook and Speckled Trout Keep the Inshore Bite Busy
Florida delivered plenty of inshore fishing action this week, with reports from Pasco County and Mayport highlighting productive catches of redfish, snook, speckled trout and weakfish.
Around the Pithlachascotee River in Pasco County, Zach Bandl of Reel Coast Adventures took clients fishing around the mangroves despite windy conditions. The trip started at Nick's Park in Port Richey, with the group eventually finding productive fishing grounds around the mangroves.
The redfish bite picked up once they reached their fishing spots. The standout catch was a 29.75-inch bull red, while the group also landed snook and spotted seatrout. One angler even completed an inshore slam by catching all three species. By the end of the outing, each angler had caught more than 10 redfish, three to four snook and multiple trout.
Further north, around Mayport in Jacksonville, Capt. Dave Sipler of Capt. Dave's Sport Fishing reported encouraging speckled trout and weakfish activity. Water temperatures ranged from 68–72°F during one outing, with redfish, black drum, sheepshead, flounder, croakers and mangrove snapper also reported in the area. One trip produced a limit of speckled trout, several weakfish and a bull red measuring more than 30 inches.
The Mayport Basin report also highlighted a productive double jig-rig presentation, which helped the group reach its speckled trout limit before moving on to weakfish. Water temperatures were around 72–73°F, and salinity had returned to normal following more than a week of rain.
Missouri: A 30-Inch Brown Trout at Lake Taneycomo
Lake Taneycomo in Missouri produced an impressive trout catch for Ronnie Lawson of Fish On Guide Service, whose client landed a 30-inch German brown trout during an early morning outing. The group initially targeted trout feeding in surface pods, using small Cleo spoons to catch rainbow trout. Their overall catch record lists 21 fish in total, including 20 rainbow trout and a 30-inch brown trout.
With overcast skies, light drizzle and little to no current, locating larger trout required a more targeted approach. Using sonar-based fish-finding technology to track activity beneath the surface allowed the group to hook a 30-inch brown trout, which took more than 10 minutes to bring to the net
The water was clear, with visibility ranging from 2–6 feet.
North Carolina: Speckled Trout Bite Picks Up Along the Neuse River
The Neuse River in North Carolina saw good speckled trout activity this week, with Capt. Dave Hegel of Pamlico Pirate Fishing Charters reporting productive fishing around secondary creeks and feeder channels.
Smaller trout measuring around 10–13 inches were common, while larger fish measuring 20–24 inches were scattered around points and ledges. Redfish and flounder also added to the inshore catch. Anglers found success with DOA Deadly Combo rigs, DOA Jerk Shads, and artificial shrimp on 1/16-ounce jigheads. Topwater lures also produced some of the larger trout.
Capt. Dave Hegel reported that trout were gradually moving toward their winter holding areas. During this seasonal transition, creek mouths and feeder creeks remained productive locations for finding fish.
United States National Weather Outlook for November 6–15
The Weather Prediction Center expects unsettled weather across parts of the U.S. as the second week of November begins.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic (through Nov 7): Rain is expected across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Southeastern New England has a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall, with 3-5+ inches possible. Flood watches are in effect in parts of New England through Saturday morning.
South Texas and Gulf Coast (Nov 8): South Texas has a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall, with showers and storms possible across the Gulf Coast and Southeast early next week.
West and central U.S. (Nov 11-15): The Climate Prediction Center favors above-normal temperatures. The East is mostly near normal, though coastal New England leans cooler.
Precipitation (Nov 11-15): Above-normal precipitation is favored along the West Coast, southern Arizona, south and west Texas and the Florida Peninsula. Below-normal precipitation is favored across much of the north-central U.S.
West Coast watch (Nov 13-15): A possible atmospheric river brings a moderate (40-60%) risk of heavy precipitation to the Pacific Northwest and northern and central California, plus coastal high winds and heavy Sierra snow. Uncertainty is elevated.
For anglers: Heavier rain could affect water levels, runoff and boating conditions, especially in southeastern New England, along the Pacific coast and in south Texas. Check local lake, river and marine forecasts before heading out.
If you're feeling unsure of the weather conditions and how to work around them, booking a local fishing charter can help.
