Reel Anglers Fishing Club
Cold in Southwest Florida is a relative thing. There are probably more cold fronts in January than any other month. Temperatures starting out in the 40s with brisk winds out of the north gets both the fish and fishermen looking for warmth. In addition to the cold fronts there are concerns with negative tides.
Some fish are more sensitive than others. Snook get very lethargic and often stop eating until the water is warmer. Sheepshead, trout and redfish will continue to eat but in smaller quantities. If you prefer to fish with artificial lures I suggest downsizing and slower presentations. If using live bait it is hard to beat shrimp this time of year. Again, slow down. If using a popping cork a longer time pausing between pops might be more productive. Shrimp give off a good scent, even when dead. Give the fish time to follow the scent to your bait.
Where to fish becomes critical to fishing success. Early in the day I would start in deeper water. The deeper water early in the morning doesn’t cool off as fast as the shallows. The deep edge of grass flats will hold trout and perhaps some redfish. If the sun comes out and the air warms up, focus on the dark bottom areas.
Water that is stained heats up faster than clear, clean water. Later in the day mangrove edges facing into the sun should hold redfish, snook and mangrove snappers. Don’t forget the sheepshead. They will be around almost any dock or structure covered in oysters or barnacles.
Use the tides to your advantage. Remember most fish are lethargic in the cooler water. The fish will not be in fast flowing water. They will however often hold on the edges or near eddies. They don’t want to chase bait but rather wait for the bait to come to them. Present the bait as naturally as possible, no fast jerking motion or erratic retrieve.
I often have fish hitting a lure that has been sitting on the bottom motionless for a few seconds. If you want to target trophy sea trout head for the shallows in the afternoon. These are solitary fish that move up on the flats to warm up and eat. Long casts and a silent approach are the key. Don’t expect numbers of fish, one trophy fish a day would be a successful outing.
If you are looking to catch fish for the dinner table, focus on sheepshead, black drum and mangrove snappers. This is almost exclusively live bait fishing. Focus on deeper docks, oyster bars or submerged structures.
Don’t waste time on non-productive docks. Two or three drops under the docks with no bites means it’s time to move.
Mangrove snappers are properly named. Find a thick growth of mangroves and get your bait under the overhanging branches. You are almost guaranteed to catch snapper.
Don’t be greedy with the fish you keep. Keep only what you can eat in a couple meals. Nothing says you need to catch and keep your limit.
If you like to fish, learning about fishing in Southwest Florida, or just hanging with like minded anglers, please join us at the Reel Anglers Fishing Club the second Wednesday of the month at 6 PM at the Cape Coral Power Squadron.
Hope to see you on the water!
Dan Carney
President
Reel Anglers Fishing Club
www.reelanglersfishingclub.com
