Winter is supposed to be about change – change in temperature, wind velocity and direction and the arrival of wave after wave of cold fronts. This triggers changes in our fish – their habitat, appetite, and activity rates – changes in patterns.
This winter has been very unusual thus far because our weather has been most unseasonable, more like summer and early fall than mid-winter. Consequently our fish really haven’t transitioned out of their summer patterns.
Over the past several weeks we’ve seen the fish active in the early mornings and late afternoons over the shallow grass flats – summertime patterns in summertime locations. For example, Shaun and Guy from Colorado, in the area escaping the cold and snow from home, joined us for a half day charter. The fishing was torrid as we caught six bull reds including three monsters over 40 inches. The fish were in shallow water and did not start their feeding frenzy until mid-afternoon.
Adjusting our pattern to afternoon charters, Jack and his son John from Satellite Beach, fished with us two days later (1/2 day charter). Again, the early afternoon, the heat of the day, was slow with several smaller trout and a slot red. When the sun sank lower in the sky (cooler temperature) the fishing picked up we closed the trip with six solid redfish and one giant who briefly hooked-up with us.
Nothing has changed. This is still summertime fishing and now it is mid-February … the weather is fabulous and the fishing even better!
