Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
"The RedManiac"
As usual, much of January’s fishing was controlled by the weather, with two major cold snaps and lots of wind. And those weekends without cold had either rain or heavy fog. In spite of less-than-spectacular weather, there were some great catches. The month started off with a quick cold snap followed by mild temperatures. On the 6th I had my best trip since last winter. That day was a day with bright sun warming up the chilly water with an afternoon flood tide. This combination of features put schools of large trout in shallow water with high enough temperatures to give them motivation to eat. In the early afternoon Doug Barrett and I found a large school of trout holding in a rocky area a few miles south of the river. We fished very slowly with suspending plugs and plastics and caught approximately 45 trout out of one spot, all over 19 inches. These days don’t happen very often. The temperatures then warmed considerably and on the 12 th we found that the trout were out on the flats again and were hitting topwater plugs, unusual in the winter. The second half of the month was plagued by high winds, heavy fog and lots of rain, extreme tides and challenging fishing. Throughout the month, offshore fishing was excellent when boats could get out. Here are the reports and pictures from our guides this month.
We've had lots of interest from visitors to the site about downloading and printing photos. All of the photos on this page are available in larger sizes at Google's Picasa2 site in the December 2007 Web Album. Simply click for access---and enjoy!
Captain Steve Rassell, www.lastcastrass.com
The water temperature finally got cold enough to drive the trout into the river. Actually caught some monsters all the way up past the Landing Resort. With the temp warming a little most of the fish in the 12 to 17 inch slot have settled near the deeper bends in the river channels. Those lucky enough to know how the old river channel runs are having no trouble with limits of keeper fish, but few are over 20 inches. This past weekend we caught limits both days within a mile of marker 23. Don't forget trout season closes in February. You can still catch them you just have to release them until March 1. It's shaping up to be a great spring.
Captain Rick Bouley, www.naturecoastflatsfishing.com
January fishing in the shallow water around the Steinhatchee area has, as usual, been extremely weather dependent. Fishing just before front passage when there is reasonable tide movement has been very productive, with lots of large redfish and trout to be found. However during and just after cold fronts come through the fishing can be seriously difficult. Overall, I haven’t noticed the same quantities of bait, especially mullet, as were around this time last year.
Although their have been reasonable numbers of redfish to be found in the shallows, it can be quite frustrating approaching them in 50 degree water and have them pay no attention to what you are offering.... but as the daytime progresses and the water warms they will show you their true nature by becoming much more aggressive.
Shallow suspending baits such as Corky Mullet, DOA Mullet, "Gulp" jerk shad, as well as the old standard Johnson Silver Minnow in gold, will all produce if the fish are feeding...and if they are dormant, you can fugget-a-bout-it. They simply won't eat...no matter what you place in front of them.
Some of my favorite fishing occurs in February, which is rapidly approaching. Speckled trout season is closed, and most of the "meat-only" fishermen take this month off and leave the area somewhat vacant for catch and release. Remember…..please pinch the barbs on your hooks in February so that you don't injure the fish that you release. It will benefit us all if everyone will strive to release fish in a healthy condition.
Captain Tommy Thompson, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy
February is a good month to either take a few layers of gel coat off the bottom of your boat--or add a few new ones. Those of you who enjoy fishing the 'flats' might consider taking a rest and working on your boat, but those of you who like to fish the shallow backwaters near Steinhatchee will do well on big trout and reds. The only problem is that you're likely to scratch up your boat a bit getting to the shallow water where the fish are holding. Remember that trout season is closed during February, so if you happen to hook one up while redfishing, be very careful removing the hooks and handling the fish. I recommend using a lipper, like the Boga Grip, to grasp the fish while it's still in the water and remove the hooks there. DON'T lift a trout into the boat with a lipper--his innards just don't do well with that kind of treatment. And, NEVER, NEVER put a trout into a net or touch him with bare hands (or worse, a towel!) unless you plan to kill him. Redfish are a bit more hardy, but taking care of them boatside is still important. Catch-and-release only works on properly-handled fish!
If you plan to spend the month looking for redfish, it's a great time to get those slow-moving and slow-sinking lures out of your tackle box. MirrOlure Catch 2000's and MirrOMinnows are great. And, if the water gets lots of sunlight and the shallows warm up enough to get lots of mullet jumping, put on a topwater plug like a Heddon Super Spook. Those of you willing to lose a few jig heads might try putting a GULP! jerk shad on a light head and throwing near oyster bars and in creek holes. The coastline to the north from Rock Point to Fisherman's Rest should hold lots of fish in February, as will the areas behind Pepperfish Keys and the mouth of Cow Creek.
Captain Steve Hart, www.legallimitscharters.com
Captain Wiley Horton, www.tunersportfishing.com
The end of an era is coming soon. NMFS will enact far more restrictive grouper regulations in the near future, so if you have the chance book a charter soon or take your own boat. Bottom fishing for all species is excellent this time of year and trolling can be very productive. If you're feeling sporty, pick a fight with a goliath grouper but make sure both you and your tackle are up to the task. Obviously these fish must be released but they offer incredible sport in shallow water. Attached is a friendly link to a nice video a retired local captain shot.... http://www.bigbendsportsman.com/video/video%203.htm
Good luck out there, and please be courteous to other fishermen. If you see a boat at anchor, give them a wide berth and find another spot to fish.
FEBRUARY 2008 FISHING FORECAST
February fishing will be interesting. Please don’t forget that speckled trout season is closed in February. If you do catch trout, all must be carefully released. As Captain Bouley recommends, it will be a good time to bend back the barbs on your hooks for inshore fishing. For sportfishing inshore, this can be a very good month. Redfish will be available but lethargic; fish for them in creeks or holes in the afternoons or during warm spells, using Gulp baits or live shrimp fished very slowly. There is a federal waters grouper closure this year from 2/15 to 3/15, but there are plenty of fish being caught in state waters (inside 9 nautical miles). And as Captain Horton notes, there is a great concern about more possible closures for grouper fishing in the future. If you are interested in learning more, please become involved with the CCA (http://www.ccaflorida.org/).
Look for nice offshore days, and your closer numbers may well provide some action this time of year. Start by trolling, especially in warmer temperatures, and after locating fish you can switch to bottom fishing. Trolling will allow you to cover much more water. The kingfish and cobia are long gone, but good catches of black sea bass are available, and sheepshead will be arriving on offshore structure probably sometime this month. Always check with the Ship’s Store to see what the current reports are…and remember, we stock everything you’ll need for your trip, from rods and reels to live bait. Tight lines!
