FEBRUARY FISHING THE TRANSITION BEGINS

Sometime this month the transition to spring well begin. It all depends on the weather, if warm it should begin the first couple weeks, but if we have a cold front or two of any magnitude it could push the transition back a few weeks.

Inshore, look for sea trout fishing to get better and better as the month progresses, plus we will see a notable increase in large fish. If the fall trout fishing was any indication we could see more big “gator” trout this spring than in many years.  If the water remains relatively cold bait fish will be sparse and trout at times sluggish, shrimp or shrimp imitations should be the bait of choice. If we have a couple weeks of warm weather then you can expect bait to move back into the area, but for much of the month it’s hard to beat anything that resembles a shrimp.

 

Catching undersize or “rat” redfish over the winter hasn’t been a problem, that’s a great sign for good things to come. We should note an increase of legal size fish as the month progresses, by the second half of the month look for fish to begin feeding under the bushes on high water. Shrimp or scented artificial are the top baits, if you have the patience to soak cut bait on bottom, one inch ladyfish or mullet steaks are also deadly.  Also look for redfish in sand potholes on low water and feeding along sand and oyster bars with the rising tides. There will also be some extreme low tides that give great opportunities for stalking tailing reds in the extreme shallows.

Inshore sheepsheads fishing should peak this month as they finish up their spawning chores. Look for most of the larger fish around the gulf passes, on the beaches and schooling around structure both inside the passes and a short distance offshore.  Remember,  a small sharp hook  works  best when rigged with a small piece of shrimp or other crustacean with just enough weight to keep it on bottom.  Be patient and bring plenty of bait, these stripped bandits are notorious bait stealers until you get the feel for the strike. If you do not have access to a boat, try one of the many public piers or bridges. Not only do sheepsheads fight hard, they are also outstanding on the table.

Anglers fishing the previously mentioned areas for sheepsheads are sure to score with a few pompano. They feed off the bottom, often hang around the same areas and love shrimp. You can also expect to catch them in many of the same areas that attract redfish or trout, areas like sand or pot holes and sand bar transitions are feeding stations for pompano that often travel in schools. While a live shrimp is hard to beat and works great, those that target pompano often throw artificials to cover more ground.  Small pompano jigs with white, pink, and yellow the most common colors have been catching pompano forever, you can really enhance these jigs with a small piece of fresh shrimp. Over the past year or so, the Silly Willy jig has become a pompano favorite, I personally have not tried one yet but those I have talked to say they are like candy to pompano.  With these jig style baits a moderately slow retrieve with a jigging motion to bounce the bait and simulate a fleeing crustacean is the key to success

 Although it is still winter, if we put a week or so of warm weather behind us the transition to spring will begin. I might be jumping the gun early but I am keeping my fingers crossed for an early transition, spring is my favorite time of year to fish.

Phone: 239-283-7960

Website: www.fishpineisland.com

Email: gcl2fish@live.com

“Catch the Action” with Captain Bill Russell