As Anna Maria anglers rushed out to test the new fishing tackle they received for Christmas, they were being faced with extreme cold — for Florida — and strong winds.
Targeting fish in local waters in such conditions requires patience, as well as warm outerwear and a woolly hat.
Most anglers opt to use live shrimp as bait and it’s pretty much what we do during the cold winter months.
Targeting sheepshead, black drum, redfish and pompano are on the agenda, as all of those species readily eat shrimp and they’re tolerant of cooler water temperatures.
Fishing residential canals is advantageous, as many fish will migrate to sheltered areas and concrete seawalls to find warmer water. Species such as spotted seatrout and snook can be found, as well as most other inshore species, as they seek refuge from the cold.
Live shrimp as bait is a good bet in wintertime scenarios but don’t forget about such artificials as soft plastics on a jig head or the ever-famous DOA shrimp. Casting lures around docks and seawalls can provide surprisingly good results.
Just remember, in cold conditions the metabolism of a fish slows down, which makes it less apt to chase bait. So slow down your presentation and be ready to feel a tap on the rod when you receive a bite. The fish might not be as aggressive as normal so you need to pay attention. Don’t miss a strike.
On my own Just Reel charters, I’m using live shrimp for bait, as well as an assortment of DOA Cal jigs on a jig head. When baiting shrimp, I’m finding redfish, sheepshead and black drum accommodating. Casting the baits on a 1/4-ounce knocker rig under docks and around seawalls is yielding the best action.
Drifting the flats and casting soft plastics on a jig head is producing plenty of action on spotted seatrout with a host of other species mixed in, including pompano, bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Lastly, fishing structure in the Gulf of Mexico is producing mangrove snapper and sheepshead.
Jim Malfese at the Rod & Reel Pier says fishing is good, although with the drop in temps, he anticipates a lull in the action.
Prior to the cold front, anglers using live shrimp as bait were catching quite a few sheepshead, as well as black drum. Both species were being caught while casting live shrimp on a weighted rig under the pier among the pilings. While doing this, anglers also hooked into a few pompano and snook.
Spanish mackerel made a surprise appearance on days when the bait schools were present. Anglers casting speck rigs or silver spoons were hooking up frequently.
Capt. Warren Girle says before the cold front he was finding plenty of action in Sarasota Bay on spotted seatrout. Casting live shiners or artificials, such as soft plastics, was yielding many spotted seatrout as well as a mix of bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle.
Fishing canals for snook was productive, although, with the cold temperatures, at least by our standards, Girle expects the snook bite to diminish.
Lastly, casting live shrimp under docks is yielding action for Girle’s clients on redfish.
Capt. David White is finding action on nearshore and offshore structure while using live pinfish as bait. In those areas, gag grouper are the most predominant bite, with many catches being keeper-size fish — over 24 inches. Also, around structures in the Gulf, White is finding mangrove snapper.
Moving inshore, White is finding some snook action while working the flats and the residential canals, although he predicts the fish will go on a brief hiatus from biting during the cold snap. Bait with live shrimp is working well for White’s anglers along the beaches for sheepshead, black drum and pompano. Shrimp also is leading to a redfish bite while working the rocks and docks in canals.
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