Change up: Switch fishing locations to hook up in 2015
It’s almost January — the start of a new year. With it comes the cold northeast winds brought on by frequent cold fronts arriving from the north.
Those of us who just can’t stay off the water know that not every day is going to be sunny and calm with a light southernly breeze — especially in January. This being said, you also know how frustrating it can be when you can’t reach the spots you’d like to fish due to the wind and chop on the water.
But, don’t fret, there is a solution so you can go get your fishing fix — dock fishing.
Yeah, you’re right. It may not be the most glamorous sort of fishing. Might not be the most scenic either, but when it comes to ordering a pizza for dinner because you didn’t catch any fish that day, it’s not so bad.
Dock fishing offers an opportunity to find calm waters and fish. On the windiest days, you can usually find a residential canal that’s out of the wind. And a lot of times, the fish have migrated to these areas. The calmer conditions make it easier for the fish to locate food, such as shrimp and small baitfish, which in turn attracts predatory species.
During the winter months, you should be able to find a variety of species that will inhabit these sheltered docks. Redfish, flounder, sheepshead and black drum are probably the most apparent, although don’t be surprised to find snook and spotted seatrout, too.
To fish these docks, you need live baits — shrimp or crabs. You can use artificials, such as Berkley Gulp shrimp or DOA shrimp. Whether fishing live or artificials baits, the key is being able to cast under the dock. It’s usually imperative, so keep practicing until you can get it there every time.
Lastly, keep in mind that a lot of the docks you want to fish are in someone’s backyard. Use proper etiquette and behave as if you are a guest.
Capt. Aaron Lowman at Island Discount Tackle in Holmes Beach is targeting pompano along the beaches and on the flats of Anna Maria Sound. To attract a bite, Lowman is using small pompano jigs tipped with a piece of fresh-cut shrimp. By drifting and jigging, Lowman’s clients are reeling up pompano up to 4 pounds. While targeting pomps, you also can expect to find ladyfish, jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel.
Black drum, redfish and sheepshead are being caught while aboard Lowman’s Carolina Skiff. To target these species, he’s fishing residential docks and canals. This provides excellent action, especially during windy days, when getting around the local waters can be a challenge. The calmer waters around these docks and canals act as a sanctuary for these wintering fish. Live shrimp on a knocker rig is producing a bite.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says once again the bite is being dominated by black drum and sheepshead. Pier fishers using live shrimp are catching keeper-sizes of both species.
Pier fishers are using a bottom rig, which consists of an egg sinker, swivel, a few feet of 30-pound leader and a small hook to catch the fish. Using a leader as strong as 30 pounds may seem like overkill, but there’s a reason for it. Large snook and redfish like to take up residence under the pier and you never know when one will decide to eat your bait. In this instance, the 30-pound leader can make the difference between a picture-worthy catch or getting cut off by a mystery fish.
The most talked about catch this week at the R&R occurred during the night. Brock Ewing, while shark fishing managed to hook into something considerably large. By using a whole mullet for bait, Ewing got a strike and set the hook. After battling with what he assumed was a large shark, Ewing was amazed when the fish surfaced. A goliath grouper estimated between 80-100 pounds had eaten Ewing’ s mullet and was doing everything it could to get off the hook. Moments later the fish tired out, and was brought to the shallow where it was safely released.
Capt. Rick Gross of Fishy Business Charters is finding success in Sarasota Bay by working docks with live shrimp. Black drum, sheepshead, redfish and flounder are responding to baits placed under docks and around pilings, especially those with deep water.
On the flats, Gross is finding rod-bending action by jig fishing. By drifting and jigging, ladyfish, bluefish, jack crevalle and even a few spotted seatrout are being caught. Although this method isn’t producing a lot for the dinner table, it definitely provides nonstop action on days when the bite is a challenge.
Capt. Warren Girle is finding refuge from the strong winds in the Gulf of Mexico by fishing the backwaters in Sarasota Bay.
By drifting and jigging, Girle is leading his clients to a variety of species, including pompano. Pompano in the 2-pound range are being caught on small jigs tipped with shrimp with an average of 8 to 10 being caught on a four-hour charter. In between pompano bites, ladyfish, bluefish, trout and jacks are in abundance. On one four-hour charter, Girle had four fishers who managed to reel up 215 fish. Granted, most were ladyfish and bluefish but, for the sheer number of fish, that’s a lot of hookups.
On calmer days, Girle is fishing the nearshore reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. Mangrove snapper are still providing consistent action on live shrimp or fresh-cut shiners. Gag grouper, although out of season, are inhabiting nearshore structure. Most are being seen or hooked by anglers reeling up small snapper.
Here’s wishing you a happy new year and wet lines.
Submit your fishing report to fish@islander.org.