November 2025 — Louisiana: Flounder peak, trophy trout in deeper holes. November is a late fall month with water in the 66-74°F range — flounder peak; seatrout in deeper grass; first cold fronts. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — November 2025
Primary targets this month: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead.
Redfish
Peak fall redfish action. Target the Delacroix marsh, the Hopedale marsh, the Venice area (Pass-a-Loutre, Tiger Pass), Calcasieu Lake (sight-fishing trophy reds), and the Empire/Buras area — Louisiana is the world’s premier redfish fishery. Bull reds (28″+) push into passes and inlets during the mullet run. Cut mullet, finger mullet, gold spoons (Johnson Sprite), and soft plastics on jigheads all produce.
Speckled Trout
Trout gathering in Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake), Lake Pontchartrain, the Delacroix marsh, Vermilion Bay, and Cocodrie — gator trout fishery (5+ lb fish common in Big Lake). Larger fish (gator trout 20″+) hold in deeper potholes. DOA CAL Shads, MirrOlure Lil John, MirrOdine suspending baits, and live shrimp under popping corks. Slow the retrieve in cooler water.
Flounder
Peak flounder migration. Fish staging at the passes (Calcasieu, Vermilion, Empire), the inland marshes, and the surf in fall before pushing out to spawn. Bucktail jigs (1/2 oz, white, chartreuse) tipped with Berkley Gulp! 4″ swimming mullet or live mud minnows. Drag baits SLOW along bottom. Inlet and pass mouths on outgoing tides.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are stacked for the winter/early-spring spawn. Target the offshore platforms, the passes, the marsh dock pilings, and the inshore wrecks. Fresh fiddler crabs and live shrimp on a #1 or #1/0 octopus hook with minimal weight. Bites are subtle — set on the slightest tap. Vertical jigging tight to structure produces best.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 66-74°F. Flounder peak; seatrout in deeper grass; first cold fronts. Louisiana’s marshes are heavily wind-driven; tide range is minimal but moving water still concentrates fish at marsh creek mouths and pass openings. Falling water on a falling tide is the prime redfish window. Offshore rigs fish all tides — current direction matters more than tide.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Mullet run. Massive bait migrations trigger feeding frenzies — every predator follows. Target inlets, passes, and beach troughs.
- Topwater dawn. Fall coolness extends the topwater window — walk-the-dog baits produce explosive strikes.
- Front timing. 24 hours before a cold front is typically lights-out; the day after is often slow as fish reset.
November Outlook
Late fall — final striper runs, flounder migration peaks, first sustained cold fronts.
Regulations Reminder
Redfish: 18-27″ slot, one per angler per day (verify FWC zone-specific rules). Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Sheepshead: 12″ minimum, 8 per day (FL). Flounder: 14″ minimum, 5 per day (FL). State-specific elsewhere. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Sportsman’s Paradise (Cocodrie), Hopedale Marina (Hopedale), Venice Marina (Venice), Daly’s Bait & Tackle (Lake Charles), Frank’s Place (Buras).
Public Boat Ramps: Venice Marina (Mississippi River mouth), Delacroix public ramps, Hopedale Marina, Cypress Cove (Venice), Calcasieu Pass (Cameron), Cocodrie, Empire.
Charter Fishing: $500-$800 inshore (marsh redfish, trout); $700-$1,100 nearshore rigs; $1,400-$2,800 offshore (Venice yellowfin, deepwater).
More Louisiana Resources
Louisiana Fishing Guide · Louisiana Seasonal Calendar · All Louisiana reports →
Reports updated every Thursday on fishing.digital.