The up and downs of the weather during the winter months can make fishing a little unpredictable. One thing for sure though the day or two before the next cold front is the best bite. Grouper anglers have been getting big fish in shallow waters. How shallow? Keepers in 6 feet of water on casting plugs. I myself have not caught many keepers lately but the action is excellent. A legal size gag grouper is a big fish at 24″ and keeping them out of the rocks is a tough but fun chore.
Inshore the trout bite remains consistent using 1/8th oz. jigs in dark colors near the creek mouths. The redfish bite is best on high incoming tide on the outside western facing points and in the rivers on moving water. I’ve done well on the outside with jigs or gold spoons, up in the river live shrimp on the bottom is best. One thing that I enjoy this time of year is cooking a shore lunch. Even on a tough fishing day getting a fish per person in the boat is enough to feed everyone. The fun part of cooking on an island on a cool winter day is something my clients all look forward to. I’ve been told the fish taste twice as good on the island then at home. If its chilly we build a fire, good times. Look for incoming tide this weekend in the afternoon.
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