Nature Coast, William Toney

Kicking off the New Year with about the same weather pattern since

October, expect much of the same. Easy days and working days. Easy

days this month will be when the tides are highest and the working

days will be when’s it’s windy after a front. Easy days are the warm

up about the 3rd day after a front with a incoming high tide. The

outside edge along the rocky keys and creek mouths are the best spots.

I will use both artificial and live bait. This time of year never

leave the dock without a few dozen live shrimp. Cool water can make

the fish lethargic and live shrimp in front of a trout, redfish,

sheepshead or black drum will rarely get passed up. For artificial

baits it’s hard to beat a soft plastic with 1/8 oz. jig head. Good

colors are watermelon red flake, red and silver flake, glow and gold,

glow and chartreuse and new penny.

On the working days the rivers can be your best friend. The deep

holes near the channel are good places to fish and if you took your

time and fished your way to the Gulf, I would bet it may take 4 or 5

hours and an angler will most likely have dinner in the fish box. Live

shrimp is the best bait.

For shore bound anglers the Big Bend offers many opportunities for

those who do some research. Some of the best sources for info on these

spots are local tackle shops, county visitor bureau’s and the all

telling internet. In Florida you do need a bank fishing license that

is free, go to MYFWC.com to get it. A bucket, shrimp, hand full of

tackle, sense of adventure and your in for a good day. High incoming

tide will be mid day this weekend.