It sure would seem that way at least according to local guides. Capt. Ozzie Fisher down in Charlotte Harbor, Capt. Shawn Crawford in Sarasota, Capt. William Tony in Homosassa and Capt. Danny Allen in Crystal River all are reporting incredible February fishing. Redfish and Trout numbers are maybe as good as we’ve seen in some time if not ever.
Mild winter temps have kept a lot of bait around and with our fish not feeling the effects of cold water temps they chewing the bottoms out of our boats on most days. Live Sardines, live Shrimp and plastics are all working well as is cut bait for the larger Reds. The flats of Cockroach Bay, Tierra Verde, Wheedon Island and Joe’s Island are all producing on good moving water. Seems like the only tough days we have are the slower tide days. Other than that the bite is on fire!
Offshore Grouper season is closed but there are still plenty of species to target. Big Amber Jack are thick on the springs and Mangrove Snapper and Porgies are fairly easy to catch off the wrecks and near shore reefs. Live baits are key to your success so load the live wells up before you make that long run. Remember offshore fishing is a numbers game so it might take a couple of stops to find them but when you do it will pay off!
Catch Capt. Michael Anderson and Capt. Billy Nobles every Saturday morning on News CH8 at 6:30am and Sundays at 11:00am for the Reel Animals Fishing Show and Saturdays for Reel Animals Saturday on 970WFLA from 6:00am to 9:00am and Sunday mornings on AM620 for the TA Mahoney Co. Reel Animals Radio Show from 7am to 9am or to book a trip call 1-866-Gamefish.
In the mist of cold
fronts, thank God there’s only been a couple.There lies some prime
opportunity to catch some great fish. Prior to writing this article I
was on the phone with Captain Terry Russo.Terry was telling me that on
these winter super low tides, he has been wading
with his clients on the outer bars of Tampa Bay and getting triple, that
right, triple digit catches. The list includes, reds, trout and sheep
head, all you want.
Offshore is still on fire. Captain Larry McQuire reports run
deep. He hasn’t been stopping in anything less than 100 feet of water.
The red grouper, scamp, and other snapper bites along with the reef
donkeys (Amberjacks) are on fire. The trick is to pick your day. Right
behind one of the fronts the quicker you can get out the better. Kinda
like the early bird gets the worm. Start out using dead bait, sardines
and squid. This puts some scent in the water and gets ‘em going.Once the
bite is going then drops down a frisky pinfish and hold on. Also bear
in mind that American Red Snapper and Gag Grouper are out of season even
though there are plenty to be caught, try not to target these fish as
in the deeper water it’s harder for the fish to acclimate them selves to
such a great pressure change in such a quick accent from bottom of the
gulf to the surface.
Be sure to properly vent these
fish as well with you venting tool that is required by law. Be sure to
tune in on Saturday mornings at 6:30 on News Channel 8 WFLA for The Reel
Animals Fishing Show and listen to Captain Mike on 970 AM WFLA from 6-9
am on Reel Animals Saturday. Call in on Saturday’s to WFLA 970 for Reel
Animal’s Saturday and Sunday’s to WDAE 620 AM The Sports Animal for the
T.A. Mahoney Reel Animals Fishing Show to win some cool fish gear from
7-9 am. Also visit our website @ www.reelanimalsfishingteam.com and
friend us on face book or call 1-866-GAMEFISH to book your fishing trip
of a lifetime and until next week, “Do yourself a favor and take a kid
fishin’!
