Winter Fishing
Posted: January 13th, 2005, 9:17 am
Patience and persistence are the keys to wintertime fishing
By Dave Lear
DEMOCRAT WRITER
Old Man Winter is not exactly the ideal fishing partner. From early spring until late fall, the Big Bend's flats and inshore coastal waters abound with a variety of game fish. But once the cold fronts start blowing through on a regular basis and the water temperature drops below the 60-degree mark, things change dramatically. Seasonal species such as Spanish mackerel, cobia and pompano head south along with the rest of the snow birds, while the Big Two - sea trout and redfish - take up station in more comfortable climes. And that's when the going gets tough and the tough go fishing.
"Most of my clients just want action and in the wintertime that's a good game plan. Once that water dips into the upper 50s, it gets pretty darn tough," local guide Randy Peart said. "Historically, the Aucilla and Econfina Rivers have been the best places to go, but they haven't been as productive the last three years. So now I'm fishing primarily the St.Marks, Wakulla and Ochlockonee Rivers. We're still finding trout and reds, along with sheepshead and mangrove snapper. It's just not quite as easy as the rest of the year."
To find productive spots, Peart idles slowly upriver while watching his sonar and temperature gauge. He has found that fish higher in the water column are more likely to feed, while those marked on the bottom tend to be more finicky. During prolonged cold snaps, fish will move even farther up river, often above the U.S. Highway 98 bridges, seeking warmth in the constant spring-fed water.
For tackle this time of year, Peart favors spinning outfits loaded with 8-pound test braided line. He also adds a 15-inch section of 20-pound monofilament leader because of rocks and heavy vegetation. The rods have light tips in order to detect timid strikes.
Peart's winter bait selection also is simple. His first choice is a live shrimp hooked through the tail with a 1/8-ounce Bass Assassin jig head. Fish near the surface often strike the lighter jigs on the fall, but when they are hugging the bottom or the current is running strong, the heavier jig gets the shrimp into the feeding zone. Peart also uses Bass Assassin grubs on occasion with a chartreuse/white head and either a glow or Crystal Minnow (silver/white with metal flakes) tail. If the water is extremely clear and sheepshead or mangrove snapper are abundant, he'll still use shrimp but switches out the jig head and substitutes a No.2 or No.4 wire hook with a split-shot crimped on the leader. The presentation is the same regardless of the baits, however.
"When throwing jigs in the river, if you're not getting hung up pretty regular, you're fishing too fast," Peart said. "You have to go very slow. The fish will feed, but they're also fairly lethargic and they won't waste a lot of energy chasing down bait."
In a normal winter, the upper rivers are the prime locations to find trout and reds, but the current spell of 75-degree days isn't exactly normal. When those conditions occur, Peart shifts direction and heads back into the Gulf of Mexico.
"This latest warming trend is early, but we always get regular warm spells in February," Peart said. "After a week's worth, the trout start easing just barely back on to the flats. When that happens, I like to go to the deeper creeks in the afternoons and anchor within a few hundred yards off the mouth. The trout will get up into shallow water, and we cast soft plastic jerk baits when they do. You also get reds that way."
The other option when warmer weather messes upriver fishing is to move offshore. Even in the dead of winter Peart has had consistent success catching trout in 20 feet of water. To stimulate their appetites, he'll hang a chum block overboard and then works the shrimp/jig combos through the water column.
Winter may not be the ideal season for saltwater fishing in the Big Bend, but it's not a total bust, either. Just remember that old angler adage: You can't catch 'em if you don't go.
Apalachee Bay seminar
Using his 25 years of experience, Captain Randy Peart (421-8049) will be teaching a seminar on fishing Apalachee Bay on Jan.21. The topics will include techniques, tackle and productive locations throughout the year. Peart also will be available to answer specific questions.
Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. The seminar starts at 6:30p.m. at Jerry's Bait and Tackle on Woodville Highway. The cost is $20 per person. To reserve a spot, call 421-3248 or e-mail TMSeatrout@earthlink.com.
By Dave Lear
DEMOCRAT WRITER
Old Man Winter is not exactly the ideal fishing partner. From early spring until late fall, the Big Bend's flats and inshore coastal waters abound with a variety of game fish. But once the cold fronts start blowing through on a regular basis and the water temperature drops below the 60-degree mark, things change dramatically. Seasonal species such as Spanish mackerel, cobia and pompano head south along with the rest of the snow birds, while the Big Two - sea trout and redfish - take up station in more comfortable climes. And that's when the going gets tough and the tough go fishing.
"Most of my clients just want action and in the wintertime that's a good game plan. Once that water dips into the upper 50s, it gets pretty darn tough," local guide Randy Peart said. "Historically, the Aucilla and Econfina Rivers have been the best places to go, but they haven't been as productive the last three years. So now I'm fishing primarily the St.Marks, Wakulla and Ochlockonee Rivers. We're still finding trout and reds, along with sheepshead and mangrove snapper. It's just not quite as easy as the rest of the year."
To find productive spots, Peart idles slowly upriver while watching his sonar and temperature gauge. He has found that fish higher in the water column are more likely to feed, while those marked on the bottom tend to be more finicky. During prolonged cold snaps, fish will move even farther up river, often above the U.S. Highway 98 bridges, seeking warmth in the constant spring-fed water.
For tackle this time of year, Peart favors spinning outfits loaded with 8-pound test braided line. He also adds a 15-inch section of 20-pound monofilament leader because of rocks and heavy vegetation. The rods have light tips in order to detect timid strikes.
Peart's winter bait selection also is simple. His first choice is a live shrimp hooked through the tail with a 1/8-ounce Bass Assassin jig head. Fish near the surface often strike the lighter jigs on the fall, but when they are hugging the bottom or the current is running strong, the heavier jig gets the shrimp into the feeding zone. Peart also uses Bass Assassin grubs on occasion with a chartreuse/white head and either a glow or Crystal Minnow (silver/white with metal flakes) tail. If the water is extremely clear and sheepshead or mangrove snapper are abundant, he'll still use shrimp but switches out the jig head and substitutes a No.2 or No.4 wire hook with a split-shot crimped on the leader. The presentation is the same regardless of the baits, however.
"When throwing jigs in the river, if you're not getting hung up pretty regular, you're fishing too fast," Peart said. "You have to go very slow. The fish will feed, but they're also fairly lethargic and they won't waste a lot of energy chasing down bait."
In a normal winter, the upper rivers are the prime locations to find trout and reds, but the current spell of 75-degree days isn't exactly normal. When those conditions occur, Peart shifts direction and heads back into the Gulf of Mexico.
"This latest warming trend is early, but we always get regular warm spells in February," Peart said. "After a week's worth, the trout start easing just barely back on to the flats. When that happens, I like to go to the deeper creeks in the afternoons and anchor within a few hundred yards off the mouth. The trout will get up into shallow water, and we cast soft plastic jerk baits when they do. You also get reds that way."
The other option when warmer weather messes upriver fishing is to move offshore. Even in the dead of winter Peart has had consistent success catching trout in 20 feet of water. To stimulate their appetites, he'll hang a chum block overboard and then works the shrimp/jig combos through the water column.
Winter may not be the ideal season for saltwater fishing in the Big Bend, but it's not a total bust, either. Just remember that old angler adage: You can't catch 'em if you don't go.
Apalachee Bay seminar
Using his 25 years of experience, Captain Randy Peart (421-8049) will be teaching a seminar on fishing Apalachee Bay on Jan.21. The topics will include techniques, tackle and productive locations throughout the year. Peart also will be available to answer specific questions.
Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended. The seminar starts at 6:30p.m. at Jerry's Bait and Tackle on Woodville Highway. The cost is $20 per person. To reserve a spot, call 421-3248 or e-mail TMSeatrout@earthlink.com.