Tampa Bay fisherman will delight in catching Redfish, Trout and Sheepshead this winter as Florida is expecting moderate winter weather through January of 2019.
Sheepshead are constantly amongst the most reputable targets in winter, and they will continue to be a leading bet for anglers who prefer delicious fillets. They’re primarily pan-sized fish 12 to 14 inches long, nevertheless, they have a great deal of fragile white meat on them, and with a restriction of 15 daily, it’s possible to feed a large household numerous times on a day’s catch.
Sheepshead are normally found in rocky domestic canals, industrial harbours and in ICW cuts in winter. They usually hang near difficult structures where barnacles, mussels and oysters grow since those are their preferred foods. They utilize their sheeplike teeth to grind the shellfish off the pilings.
Fresh-cut shrimp in 1-inch pieces is all the bait required for sheepshead, though they likewise like fiddler crabs, mussels and tubeworms extremely well, for those who make the effort to catch these baits. All are best fished on a size 1 to 1/0 circle or octopus hook, with just adequate enough weight to get the bait to the bottom.
Trout and redfish tend to be found in deep holes, property canals and larger troughs on the flats in winter, moving further inland if we get a few nights noted below freezing. When the water temperature levels drop considerably a lot of these fish will be found gathering together near the power plants in Tampa Bay where there is a warm water source for them. In any event, this migration happens every winter.
One approach of discovering these fish is to slow troll the canals and much deeper locations of rivers like the Alafia, Manatee and Little Manatee with swimmer-tail quarter-ounce jigs about 4 inches long on trolling motor power. Where you find one trout or red in winter there might be 50 more, so if you put in the time, you’re probably to ultimately strike it rich.
Fish tend to accumulate in specific in turning basins at the end of canals, in locations where two canals satisfy, or where a canal has opened a spring flow undersea. In the rivers, the deep holes that often consist of on the outside of a bend can be prime.
While casting jigs or little swimbaits like the 4-inch Tsunami split tail normally finishes the job on winter trout and reds, there’s no concern that live shrimp does even far better. Tailhook a whole shrimp on a size 1 or 1/0 circle hook and walk it gradually along the bottom in the holes, or where there’s strong tide blood circulation merely let the existing moving it. A DOA 3-inch shrimp is a close 2nd to the real thing where there’s moving water.
All this action is especially attractive due to the truth that it’s exceptionally easy fishing, with no distinct casting skills needed, so it’s an exceptional family pursuit.
However, for those who prefer a bit more difficulty, wading the flats in winter can likewise produce all 3 types thought about here. Both redfish and sheepshead “tail” in shallow water, particularly when northeast winds integrate with a spring low tide around the new or full moon. Almost the entire east coast of Tampa Bay offers excellent action when these conditions take place, as does the east coast of Sarasota Bay. There are similar chances in the northern bays releasing Charlotte Harbor.
Trout do not tail, nevertheless, some big ones do prowl the holes and runouts in the flats in winter, and they gradually wreck plastic or live shrimp fished unweighted, along with shallow-running jerk baits like the Mirrodine.
All of this action requires a great eye to identify the fish and remarkable casting abilities to put the bait near them without disconcerting them. But for those with a desire for the ultimate challenge of the inshore flats, this is it– and the clear water established by winter chill produces the prime-time show to attempt it.
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101 Bay Shore Dr NE
Slip Q12
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Call or Text: (727) 433-4200
www.yachtfish.com
