BigBendFishing.Net

Ok, first off appreciate that "winter" doesn't technically start until later in the month. That out of the way, my question relates to the "winter" pattern of trout and reds stacking up in the rivers once colder temps hit. I'm not a cold weather fan in any way, shape, or form, so Marine's Dream normally sits unused from late November until early March. Appreciate that river fishing can be extremely productive, but for a number of reasons it just doesn't call my name like warmer weather does.

So here's my initial question... if we get a week or so of unseasonably warm temperatures after fish have made their initial move to the rivers, will they come back out onto the flats for a spell, then head back in when cool temps hit again? Blessedly while the rest of the country faces an arctic blast this coming week, looks like we're going to be quite warm with lows in the 60s and highs even hitting the 80s. Will fish that have gone into the rivers head back out / will those of you who have been catching fish in the river shift out to the flats?

One more question... if the fish do come out to the flats, do they anticipate the cold fronts and start moving back into the river slightly ahead of the cold temps OR is it strictly a water temperature driven move, with fish waiting until the colder temps hit long enough to chill the water back down?

Tons of work on my plate, so doubtful I'll even get to use any intel shared. Honestly, just curious, and even if don't use the knowledge now hope I can in the future!

In the period between Nov-March there are those who should give the fish and many other less accomplished fisher persons a chance….just saying! But, should you venture forth I'll see you around the creek mouths and on points…..just saying!

MUCHOS GRACIAS, SENIOR RHTFISH! Pretty sure I won't be going again in 2013, but pray the day comes I can put the good scoop to use!

bbg, don't believe a word I write.

You'll never convince me they all go up in the rivers and creeks. Yes, a lot do but if all did they would dam up the river. That being said, they find the warmest water. It could be around an oyster bed which has warmed up on low tide and the tide come in over the warmth. Even deeper water out in the gulf. The temperature is relative in that it may still be cold but warmer than other places. A dark, shallow bottom on a clear day or anything that would warm the water a degree or so.

They may be smart enough to move before the temp drops but I doubt it. They may move more when it is happening than before.

Now you know what I think I know!

I look for them and don't always find them. That is why we call it fishing.

Good questions. Hope some one who knows will answer.

SS-342, highly suspect there's a good bit of truth in both what you shared AND what Rhtfish said.

The past 5 years,me and a few fishing partners have caught trout on the shallow flats all year round.
I would think you would be fishing for shallow water winter grouper.

I don't fish a lot in the winter either, but when I do, I look for a dark bottom and shallowish water and keep my eye on the thermometer. If duck season sucks, I spend more time fishing. Hope I do not pick up a pole again until February.

Jumptrout51 wrote:The past 5 years,me and a few fishing partners have caught trout on the shallow flats all year round.
I would think you would be fishing for shallow water winter grouper.

Grouper is closed until feb.

Salty Gator wrote:

Jumptrout51 wrote:The past 5 years,me and a few fishing partners have caught trout on the shallow flats all year round.
I would think you would be fishing for shallow water winter grouper.

Grouper is closed until feb.

And your point is............?

Jumptrout51 wrote:

Salty Gator wrote:

Jumptrout51 wrote:The past 5 years,me and a few fishing partners have caught trout on the shallow flats all year round.
I would think you would be fishing for shallow water winter grouper.

Grouper is closed until feb.

And your point is............?

Who goes after grouper out of season?

We caught around 15 trout and one rock bass at Steinhatchee yesterday about a mile off shore on my brothers boat. 4 were keepers-one was a very fat 18 inches. We fished both sides of Dallas creek . Most were caught on the edges in 3-4 ft of water. Water temp was 65 deg.