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AS SEEN IN THE JAN/FEB 2008 ISSUE
January / Febuary Southwest Fishing Forecast:
By: Captain John Stark - Fly
Fishing The Everglades
Contrary to popular belief, winter
fishing along the Southwest Coast can be excellent for snook, redfish
and a host of other species. January and February are the two best
months to visit Southwest Florida - just ask the countless tourists
that flock here every winter. The cooler temperatures mean fewer bugs
and lower humidity - two positive attributes that can make
backcountry fishing all the more pleasant.
During this time of the year, the
fishing in Southwest Florida is mainly affected by extreme low tides,
strong cold fronts and cool water temperatures. Warming trends will
bring snook and redfish into the shallows where they seek more
suitable surroundings above the dark bottoms. Proven artificial lures
include 1/4oz. jigs, small three-inch swim baits and top-water plugs
worked slowly and methodically along mangrove encrusted shorelines.
When the weather is cold and skies are overcast, big snook and
redfish will head for deep pockets and channel edges with warmer
water where they can be targeted with heavier 3/4oz. RipTide jigs.
For fly fishing enthusiasts,
intermediate sinking fly line and weighted flies work well. Remember
that along our stretch of beautiful coastline, snook season doesn’t
open until March 1, with the new size limit 28 to 33 inches and a bag
limit of one fish per person per day. Snook fishing is big business
down here and I personally release every linesider I catch. These
amazing game fish mean too much to the industry and worth much more
alive then in a frying pan. If you insist on keeping you for the
dinner table, do it after March so you don’t get in any trouble
with the Everglades Park Service.
Like the name suggests, the Ten
Thousand Islands have a multitude of backwater creeks and bays that
offer great habitat for fish seeking shelter from the cold. Big snook
will move into the dark waters of the deep backcountry where they
will find protection from the brisk, northerly winds. These fragile
fish have trouble surviving in water cooler than 60 degrees as they
thrive in an 80 – 85-degree habitat.
Grouper on the other hand prefer cool
water, making January and February the best time to hunt for these
hard-pulling, great-tasting game fish. Stay close to shore and focus
on deep points with strong current flow for big gags and the
occasional cobia. Also in close proximity to area beaches anglers can
expect to cross paths with great tasting pompano. I suggest targeting
these fish with a small shrimp tipped jig.
If it is trout you are after then you
are in luck, the biggest fish of the year are often caught over the
grass flats during the coming weeks. Expect very respectable trout in
the five to six class with larger ones scattered up and down the
entire Southwest Coast. To catch these gators, I suggest throwing
top-water plugs in the early morning and jerk-baits later in the
afternoon. If the fishing slows down, move to deeper grass flats and
slowly bounce heavier jigs along the bottom.
One of the great things about this time
of the year is that the water is generally gin-clear due to low
levels of phytoplankton. The clarity offers anglers excellent
sight-fishing opportunities during bright sunny days between cold
fronts.
Offshore a bit, Spanish mackerel and
ladyfish will keep you busy as they smash baitfish on the surface.
Look for diving birds and idle your boat up wind of the feeding
frenzy while casting small jigs and sliver spoons. This is also a
great opportunity for fly-anglers to hone their skills.
Tarpon fishing will be non-existent
during the coming months, but in March, these monsters will once
again show up in large numbers so that is something for all of us to
look forward to. Along the southwest coast of Florida, the cool
winter months translate into excellent fishing - especially if you
enjoy catching a variety of species in nearly every shape, size and
color. Come on down and enjoy some of the exciting light tackle
action Everglades National Park and the surrounding waterways have to
offer!
Tight lines and following seas.
Captain John Stark – Fly Fishing The Everglades
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