Stable temperatures are approaching and fishing will be less challenging over the next few days. The winds are lighter and the water has become very clear. This time of year, I downsize my leader to 20 pound and hook sizes to 1/0 or smaller to #1 when using live bait like shrimp or small sardines. Trout are still our main focus, as they continue to cooperate through the winter months. So far, the majority of trout have been between 16 and 20 inches. I haven’t seen a lot over 20 inches which are usually typical for this time of year. The larger trout we have caught are in the potholes, sunning along the shallow flats in the morning hours. However, the higher numbers of trout in schools are still congregating around the spoil Islands from Clearwater, north to Palm Harbor. Artificial lures such as small shad tails or shrimp imitations have worked well. Of course, live shrimp are a favorite among trout, sheepshead, redfish, ladyfish and bluefish in January. Sheepshead are also a targeted species when other fish are less likely to bite. I like to cut a shrimp into pieces and thread a small piece onto the hook with a split shot just above. This method helps to trick them into biting since they are pretty sneaky. Oyster bars, docks and jetties all tend to hold numbers of sheepshead in January and February as they group together and prepare to spawn. Large sheepshead can be caught on the nearshore reefs and ledges 1 – 3 miles out. These are usually the fish that are breeding offshore.
- Captains Corner - March 23, 2024
- Brian Caudill - March 4, 2024
- Brian Caudill - December 5, 2023
