Bradenton

MARCH 10, 2008

 

WEATHER CHANGES & FISHING

 

This has been another mild Winter and although we've had one slight freeze and a few cool spells, fishing has been decent all Winter long.  Before our last cold front and the season opened, some anglers were reporting "keeper size" snook were being caught on shrimp and released.  Another cool snap in the 40 degree temperatures and gusty winds, shut the bite down for awhile.  A week later, a nice warm up into the mid 70's should have them feeling more comfortable and hungry.

Winter fishing has been steady.  Redfish and trout have been active along with bluefish, Spanish mackerel and of course the winter time "bread & butter catch", sheepshead have provided a nice variety to target.  Sheepshead should continue to be active  through the full moon as they spawn out.  Anglers that prefer to use whitebait during the Winter are still going to the Skyway Pier to the bait source that's been there all Winter long.

 

In the past years, I've tried to call attention to the oak trees sprouting new growth and especially the citrus trees blossoming to signal the beginning of a new season.  As these changes take place on land, on the water sea grasses start to grow, algae and plankton also begin to grow in the warmer water and the predator fish become more active and hungry.  As I've mentioned, many times before, structure of some sort is a key to a productive day.

 

Structure can mean different things.  Structure can be a grass line, a pothole, rock pile, dock, bridge piling, oyster bar, mangrove shoreline or sunken boat.  Basically, it's anything that provides cover, protection and food source for the fish.  A few years back, the red tide problem we had, especially in the Sarasota Bay area, took a tremendous toll on the seatrout population and though it's taken awhile, it seems that they have rebounded and in a recent outing, there were alot of keeper fish available. 

 

Redfish, as I also mentioned have been active most of this winter around the docks and oyster bars, including some decent size schools roaming the flats in a few areas.  Normally, early in the year, redfish will be feeding on anything from crustaceans to minnows, so I like to check stomach contents to see what they're feeding on.  Most of the time, it's little oyster crabs and worms of some sort.

 

Fishing should continue to improve as the weather warms, as we transition from Winter to Spring.  Some days can be hit or miss, but no doubt about it, better fishing days are ahead.

 

GOOD FISHING,    CAPT. THOM SMITH OF FLATS LADY CHARTERS & ANGLER'S REPAIR.    941-776-1187  OR  737-5672  e-mail   tesmls@infionline.net     Call me for "pick-up/drop-off spots for repair work.