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The big attraction for the January and February
fishing are the
Sheepshead, which migrate in to spawn.
Expect to catch them on the new
and full moons when the tide fluctuates the most.
Sheepshead cling
closely to structures so be sure to hunt them
down and anchor over them
at the Steinhatchee Reef. Use a sliding
sinker rig with a 3/4-ounce egg
weight and one to two foot mono leader of 30-pound
test line. Mustad
makes a special Sheepshead hook that does not
straighten with the
strength of the bite. Try a hook in the range
of size 6 up to 1/O. Be
ready to set the hook quickly as the Sheepshead
is notorious for
stealing bait very quickly. Sheepshead
love fiddler crabs and sand
fleas.
Offshore the grouper fishing has been fantastic
as long as the weather
is cooperating. Many anglers are bottom
fishing in forty-five feet of
water although winter brings the fish in much
closer this time of year.
The top baits are thread herring, Spanish sardines,
cigar minnows, and
squid. Trolling the Stretch 30+ lures are
also working very well.