January will
bring us some of the coldest days of the year in southwest Florida. Just how
cold it gets will determine how and where to fish. This month the primary
inshore targets are sea trout, sheepsheads, redfish, pompano, and if it’s
relatively warm, Spanish mackerel. 
When its cold looked to protected
areas like canals, creeks, and deep water on the leeward side of Islands as
fish seek shelter. Often fish may be found ganged up in a deep hole or along a
shoreline. If the weather is mild for
several days the fish may be more widespread out on the shallower flats, bars,
and structures. 
For bait it’s hard to beat live
shrimp. Shrimp are user friendly, readily available, and everything eats them.
If it’s cold think slow and low, meaning fish the bait at or near the bottom
either stationary or with a slow retrieve. One of the best ways to cover bottom
and catch fish on a chilly day is with a live shrimp/jig head combination. Take
a live shrimp, bite or pinch off the tail and thread the shrimp tail first on ¼
ounce jig head just like you would a soft plastic shrimp or shad tail. Now you
have the best of both worlds, live bait but you can cover ground with like an
artificial. This combination will entice everything from big snook to pompano.
With milder weather the same
combination also works but likely the fish are spread out over shallower depths
so a change of technique is often necessary. Look for fish holding in areas
that is a short distance from the deeper protected areas, they often hold in
areas where they can quickly get back to shelter when the next front arrives.
Fish these areas with shrimp rigged the same method described above with a
little quicker retrieve, or suspended under a popping or rattling cork.
Sometimes if you are looking for trout, redfish, or maybe pompano it’s all
about covering as much area as possible, scented soft baits like Gulp shrimp
are another great option. 
Fishing can change quickly this
month, to be successful you need to monitor the weather conditions and adapt
accordingly. Most of us don’t like to be cold, that’s why we live in Florida,
and our Florida fish are no different. When it’s cold we move a little slower,
learn that most of our fish react the same and you will be on your way to
catching winter fish in all conditions
For charter
information, please contact us at:
Phone:
239-283-7960
Website: www.fishpineisland.com
Catch the Action” with Captain Bill Russell
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