http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors/Captain-s-Corner-High-winds-challenge-those-who-still-must-fish_165041907

This time of year can be quite a challenge for anglers who refuse to take a break from the blustery weather. Winter is in full swing, and as expected, it’s a chilly one. Many snook can be seen floating like logs during the day as they try to warm their cold-blooded bodies. When you witness this, it reminds you of what kind of winter it has been — cold. In 2009 and 2010, we had even colder conditions, and fish died, and some tropical plant life, too. This year hasn’t been that severe, but if the weather gets any colder in the next few weeks, we may witness the same. For the anglers who simply have to go fishing during a cold front, your best bet is in the bays. The east side of the bay in the Clearwater area south to Tampa Bay is buffered from the wind. The same with Tampa Bay, except it’s the west side of the bay that has calmer water. You can use the super low tides, attributed to the supermoon, to search for future pot holes to target. The bay will empty of water on extreme low tides. This is a great way to find new spots. Often these pot holes are where trout and redfish seem to huddle. Angles who like to go offshore have to wait until the unruly weather blasts by us. Go when waters are calm. The water temperatures are cold, so traveling farther out to 80 feet-plus will get better results.

Dave Mistretta captains Jaws Too out of Indian Rocks Beach. Call (727) 439-2628 or visit jawstoo.com.

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