February Report

The final stretch of Winter is here and fishing patterns are holding true to the season. Snook are on dock lights at night and deeper during the day. Ladyfish and Pompano on the sandy mid depths and Trout on the grassy flats. Bluefish have been strong this year and seem to show up anywhere they might get a meal.
If you fly fish and are looking for Snook, then a couple hours before daylight or evening fishing is your best bet. Although this is true generally and for most of the year, it is especially true in the latter part of winter. With less bait in the water and colder temperatures to deal with the Snook will expend only the energy necessary to get a quick meal. Dock lights concentrate bait that will, in turn, concentrate Snook.
Sunny days and cool water is a good combination to attract fish to the flats. One to two feet of water, especially if its clear water, is likely to hold Snook, Trout and (further north) Reds. Much depends on the quality of the water and condition of the bottom, but a bright sunny day should move bait, fish and fishermen to the shallows. Slow and natural is the best presentation.
Swimming live bait is good near structure like bridges. It's important to get it down and in front of their faces as it's cool down there and the fish will not expend a lot of energy roaming around looking for food.
As this winter has been very dry and both runoff and dumping from the Big "O" have been virtually non-existent, we have considerable water clarity and high salinity levels. This is great news for all involved but it also effects presentation with flies and and other artificial lures. Technique and accuracy become far more important in this water. If you're lack in both, live bait is generally the best solution.

Stuart Winter Fishing

A typical winter pattern with sailfish on rough seas between 100 and 200 feet, kingfish in 40 feet, bluefish and spanish mackeral along the beaches. In shore there are small jacks marauding nearly everywhere, snook holding deep with the young more likely to grab shrimp floating by, trout on the grassflats and pompano and ladyfish digging around the sandy flats. It's just the fishing one would expect around the winter solstice and although the big fish are mostly in hiding there is plenty of fun if you like to catch fish on light tackle. Bluefish are the hefty ones and fight incessently but you may have to contend with a bouncing boat as the 3 to 5 foot seas work to shore. Just inside the inlet jetties and reefs will be a bit calmer but often only productive on an outgoing tide as the jacks (these a bit bigger) and bluefish look for bait being washed out with the darker estuary water.

The small jacks, trout and ladyfish can be great fun and perfect for young kids as they fight hard and generally travel in schools. Pompano are spotty this year but worth the effort as they are the best tablefare our waters can offer this time of year.

There are big fish to be caught from time to time, especially in low light levels, but they hang on the bottom and are far less active in the cooler water. Their size allows them to eat less and wait for passing food that is just right for a satisfying one gulp meal and requires little effort. The right offering at the right time can be productive.

Weather changes will slow down the fishing this time of year so the best days to fish are in a strong high pressure or just before a passing front. Wind and temperature drops give the inshore fish a reason to diet but since they must feed to live, this hiatus always ends when they get hungry enough.

It's generally necessary to bundle up in the morning and it could be mid morning before you feel comfortable enough to take off the sweatshirt. 70 to 80 degrees is generally our working temperature with occasional excursions above and below. As always, the wind and clouds will temper the temp but the air is dry and its generally easy to be comfortable.