Wintertime is when the natural order of the world determines what happens in a lot of places, such as the oranges freezing in Central Florida and the fish biting in St. Joe Bay and many places in the gulf.
The mullet in the creeks and shallow water suffered big time losses during the extended cold spell the first half of January. While it was very cold in January, it will be up to Mother Nature to determine how long it will stay cold this winter, and that will have a large bearing on how good the fishing will be later on in the spring. For as long as I can remember, we have had very cold winters every so often, and each time we do, the fishing seems to really catch on when the weather starts warming up really well in the springtime.
Inshore fishing in the bay and the ICW is very good this time of the year in the deeper water. Look for fishing places in 10 or more feet of water and you will be surprised at how many speckled trout, redfish and other bottom-dwellers will be all together.
Whiting and pompano are really coming on strong, but when a high-pressure cold front moves in during this time of the year, give yourself two or three days’ break from fishing because the fish are going to take a break until it warms up a little bit.
Offshore fishing is really good this time of year when you can get a suitable day to go offshore. The amberjack have been reopened and the triggerfish, white snapper and beeliners are really good this time of year, when you can get to them. I do not know at this point what the allocation of grouper and scamp are for the recreational fisherman. I do know that the red snapper, red grouper, gag grouper and scamp have all been individually allocated to the commercial fishermen, which means that they can fish for these fish anytime of the year except during February and March.
I have made and will continue to make every effort I can to encourage the NMFS and all of the other government agencies that are putting a stop to anybody fishing to give us a break. At this point, I do not see any quick relief, but I still have hopes that we will get some better allowances down the line. As the information from the government arrives, I’m sure that Woods ‘n Water will keep us posted.
Don’t forget to file a float plan, and let somebody know when you are going to return.
Be safe. Good fishing and good luck.