Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
"The RedManiac"
Charters have been slow because of the holidays and bowl games (Go Gators!), but the fishing has been pretty consistently good offshore, and pretty inconsistent inshore due to the amazingly mild winter. In spite of this inconsistency, there have been some fine inshore catches, including this 27.5-inch, 7.25 trout caught by Erin Beck from Dunnellon on a topwater plug. That’s one of the largest trout caught in our area in recent memory. Way to go, Erin.
In early January, Terry Martin-Back caught multiple limits fishing on the flats south of the river in two hours, fishing DOA shrimp in white, brown and pink (pink seemed to produce larger fish). Other limits have been taken on the sand bar spoil bank just south of the channel when the temperatures are milder. The warm weather has resulted in the trout moving into and out of creeks and across shallow flats, as well as moving into deeper water, on a daily basis. We have found different fish locations within 24 hours; an area on the flats that held schooling fish was empty the next day, but we found some nice trout up in one of the nearby creeks. Until there is a consistent cooling of the water temperature, it will be difficult to identify a clear-cut pattern, so if you don’t succeed in one place, keep moving and trying a variety of different depths and locations. NOTE: Please remember that speckled trout season is closed in February. If you do fish, be very careful to release the trout in good condition. Some of us actually look forward to fishing in February because there are fewer people fishing and the fish are larger and schooling; but if you do fish, please watch out for our resource.
The grouper bite has been excellent, with limits being taken in shallower water as is the usual situation in the winter. Remember, too, that grouper is off-limits from February 15 to March 15 in Federal waters beyond 9 miles! Both trolling and bottom fishing has been very successful, but after the 15th of February, don't even try fishing Federal waters!
We have a new offshore guide working out of the Sea Hag. His name is Captain Steve Hart and he can be reached at 352-498-0299. Welcome, Steve, and we look forward to some reports in the future. Now for our other guides’ fishing reports:
Captain Tommy Thompson, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy
On New Year’s Day I fished with Rick Davidson and Doug Barrett and found few fish on our local flats but we located some fine fish up one of our favorite creeks, including several 4.5 pounders. The next day, I took Ed Ellett fishing and caught 30 fine trout, including this fine 6 pounder, outside the same creek…. but we caught none in the creek. The next day I took Bernie Fowler out for a trip and located some fish in the same area but they were much more scattered. Most of these fish were caught on topwater plugs, which would be unheard of in any typical winter. These daily changes have made this winter a bit of a challenge compared to the past few years, but the fish are there to be found. The warmer temperatures have resulted in good numbers of slot-sized fish on the flats, available to those using cork and jig rigs and Gulp! and DOA shrimp. Another popular bait that is working is the old standby, the 52 M Mirrolure either trolled or casted. I still think we’ll get a consistent cold wave that will result in some schooling behavior of very large trout in shallow areas this coming month, and the approach to those fish will involve the use of subsurface suspending plugs like the MirrOMinnow or Catch 2000 series, the Yozuri Crystal Minnow suspending lures, or the soft plastic lures such as Corky lures. A few redfish are showing their heads, but the trout seem to be beating them to the baits!
Captain Rick Bouley, www.naturecoastflatsfishing.com/
I have not fished very much in the past several weeks as I am awaiting the arrival of my new flats skiff that is currently in production in Texas. The few times that I have gone have been on either the full or new moon tides and fishing was decent. However, with the constant changes in temperatures, I am sure the fish as well as most anglers are somewhat confused as to what seasonal pattern they should follow. I am including some pics of my wife with some of the reds that we caught on our last outing. Hopefully the weather will be more consistent in the coming weeks. I am really looking forward to some top-notch fishing in February, as the waters are usually a lot less crowded.
Captain Wiley Horton, www.tunersportfishing.com
You've heard me say it many times before: grouper fishing in the winter off Steinhatchee is the pinnacle of the year for bottom fishing. The same cool temperatures that chase most of the baitfish far to the South keep the number of boats to a minimum as well. The grouper are hungry and generally willing to strike cut bait, live bait or trolled plugs. The trick is finding a weather window that allows you to get offshore, being cold is tolerable.... cold and wet is not!
We've had great grouper luck both bottom fishing and trolling since the beginning of December. There are fish holding in water as shallow as 20 feet and as deep as you'd care to venture. Florida snapper can round out a fine stringer if you have an upcoming fish fry and they eat as well as anything that swims.
Captain Walt Carlson, www.captainwalt.com
Well, the fishing has been GREAT! Check out the pictures!! Lots of trout being caught on just about anything, but live shrimp has been the best! Some trout have come into the river--mainly at the mouth of the river in the deep holes. Others are catching fish working both sides of the river, fishing in 2 - 3 feet of water, using live shrimp or pinfish and the usual plastic baits. I have been fishing in my airboat in the creeks at low tide and have caught my limit every time I have gone, using live shrimp with a leader about 18 inches under a equalizer. Redfish have been more on the flats then the creeks; look for rocky bottom or oyster bars. Grouper have been doing real well, many being caught with cut bait on the bottom and trolling has also been good using the stretch 30’s, including the red fire tiger and redhead---many captains are switching colors depending on the weather and sky, so try a few different colors if you don’t start off with fish right away.
