Here we are, once again the end of the year is suddenly upon us. I'm still not sure where the time goes anymore. It seems like each day is just watching the sun rise, tides change, snowbirds running into oyster/sandbars, spooking genius redfish, and spraying down the boat.
It's pretty nice actually! I like to take December and reflect on what is usually a crazy year on the water. This summer, tarpon fishing was insane for my clients. Disregarding boat traffic and goofballs hawking spots, the fish were happy and willing to eat a well presented fly, which I can't complain about.
Now that thanksgiving is over and we're all ready to lay back in our arm chairs to watch football, I feel like it's a good time to reflect on the little things. Such as super negative tides and spooky fish.
What else could anybody want for Christmas? (My two front teeth never came in, I was just a tad too tall to be cast in "Stranger Things", it could've been my big break but that's the way it goes some times right?!?!)
Let’s talk about some of that skinny water fishing that the winter offers around here. I’m fortunate enough to have a boat that can take me pretty much anywhere I need to go so options abound if you’re the owner of a nice technical poling skiff anywhere around Charlotte Harbor.
Having said that, I still must be cognizant of where and when I’m running the boat, ESPECIALLY during the winter months. All tarpon season long we have literally another foot of water to play with, and while this presents its own challenges, I’ll just let them ruminate with you until next April’s article (the plot thickens!!!!)
The grass flats around Charlotte Harbor are rife with perfect potholes. (Activate rural Arkansas accent, preferably with a slight amount of grit and maybe a bit of chewing tobacco in your lip) “I love me some potholes”. On low tides they provide a perfect sanctuary for gamefish to settle down and wait for the current to turn, sun themselves, and hopefully grab a snack or two. Depending on the water temperatures you can find snook, redfish, and trout on just about any flat if you really take your time to look around but I’m mostly going to talk about trout this month.
Having said that, while you’re either polling or trolling your boat from hole to hole on these super low tides (your best option is poling… or just hire me to do that for you) it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for those pesky tailing redfish.
Sometimes subtle and sometimes with reckless abandon they give themselves away in a feeding frenzy by throwing up their tails like a landscaper’s flag marking your sprinkler lines. Don’t fret too much if they don’t eat your fly/lure. They’re jerks around here. Back to the trout!
When I’m focusing on these guys/gals during the winter months I’ll be looking for bigger fish than I would in spring and fall. While typically not a “trophy hunter” this is my favorite few months to truly “target” gator trout in shallow water.
Often you can locate them on the edge of a pothole when they shake a tail or shudder slightly after eating a baitfish. Cast into the ripple and be ready for the eat because they’re rather willing if conditions are favorable.
Usually if I’m fishing an open flat, I’ll tend to start well upwind and guide the boat with the current and wind very subtly with the push pole rather than fight the elements.
This provides us with a quiet approach and plenty of area to cover while I tell my clients about the drunk idiots, I used to have to usher out of the bars I worked at (we do catch fish in the meantime by the way).
Super pro tip here…. If you have two anglers on the boat that can make a fast and accurate cast, on fly or spinning gear and one of them hooks a large trout out of one of these bigger potholes, have the second angler cast right by the hooked fish. I’ve found that the larger trout are usually swimming solo or in pairs, and generally that second fish will get jealous and follow the other all the way to the boat trying to steal the lure/fly from its buddy. A second line with a well-placed lure can usually lead to a double up.
If I’m working a shoreline and fishing for the monster trout on fly I’ll be targeting spots where I normally look for snook in the spring and fall.
These trout will be dead still and are incredibly difficult to spot at times, but a nice presentation will often get rewarded. They tend to eat well if there’s a slight breeze along with the current so keep that in mind.
These fish usually hold in water less than 10” deep and when the stars align you can make a crazy fun day chasing them on fly. Gator season is here! I like to use either all black deer hair sliders, or olive/black, all white sliders, or tan sliders when I’m sight fishing the big girls. If I’m blind casting a bank or pothole edge a paddle tail jig or clouser minnow is hard to beat for constant action. Make sure you handle these bigger fish with care please, they’re the ones we want in the gene pool for next season! 16” trout are the best eating size anyways… #truestory.
I'm not too great at the holidays (sorry mom and dad) but it you want to treat somebody to a fun trip on the water, I happen to know a guy you can contact (me, you goobers). Until next year, all of you be safe and try not to blow up anything on accident on New Years Eve. I need your fingers to work if we're going to tie a proper clinch knot. Be well friends!
Capt. Alex Moran
Spiritfly Fishing Charters
SW Florida
