Cold conditions plague the Nature Coast ounce again. Although not as cold as around the New Year’s low temperatures, it will keep most fish in a lethargic state. The warm spots will be in the rivers and springs and that’s where to expect the best action. Live shrimp will be in short supply so artificial baits will be the choice of most anglers. The D.O.A. 3″ shrimp is a good choice and one of my favorite colors is glow. This bait has a slow horizontal fall through the water that mimics a live shrimp and with a sharp twitch of the rod tip looks like a fleeing shrimp. I’ve had recent success on sea trout with this bait at our springs in the Crystal River and Homosassa.
If you have some live shrimp the structure in 8 to 10 feet of water is holding some nice sheepshead. This is the time of year when they gather to spawn around the rocks and will also bite instead of peck. A knocker rig with a 2/0 bait hook will work but I also use a 1/8th oz. jig head tipped with shrimp and slowly crawl it across the sand bottom near the rock until I feel the sheepshead pick it up. The sheepshead limits are very liberal at 15 per angler but on my vessel I cap it out at 20 sheepshead for the boat, This is plenty enough fish for a meal for a large family and it helps preserve the resource. High incoming tide will be in the afternoon this weekend.
- Nature Coast - March 23, 2024
- William Toney - February 29, 2024
- Nature Coast - February 14, 2024
