Southwest Florida Inshore Fishing Forecast for February 2005
By Capt Rick Grassett

 

            Reds and trout on the flats, snook at night or just bending a rod with a variety of fish on deep grass flats will all be good options during February. Fish will be in their wintertime haunts, so go where they are to score. I like to “go with the flow” during February. If your preferred species isn’t cooperating, go to plan B.

            Sight fishing in potholes and on shallow flats for reds and trout during February is one of my favorite things to do. The negative low tides that we’ll have during the weeks of Feb. 6^th and 20^th will be ideal for this type of fishing. The flats of lower Tampa Bay, north Sarasota Bay and Gasparilla Sound in Charlotte Harbor are among my favorite areas. When the tide is at its lowest, reds and trout will be concentrated in holes, drop offs along sand and oyster bars and the outside edges of grass flats.

            This is one of the best times of the year to learn the waters that you fish. Many flats will be bone dry exposing every feature of the flat. Make notes on a navigational chart because some of these features won’t be on your chart. When the tide is incoming or high, you’ll know where to fish. Most flats are not flat at all, but will have troughs that drain them, potholes and ridges, which are shallow grass or sand and oyster bars. The troughs that drain the flat are highways that fish use to get on and off the flat and is where they’ll concentrate when the tide is at it’s lowest. I like to fish jigs on a very light jig head or plastic tails rigged weedless when using spinning tackle. Fly anglers should score with a Clouser fly fished on a floating line with at least a 9’ leader.

Also, take note of where you see wading birds feeding on exposed bottom. This is the same area that reds will feed on when the tide covers that part of the flat. In Gasparilla Sound, reds will tail on shallow grass flats at the bottom of the tide and as it starts to come back in. Although it can be very challenging, this is an exciting way to fish. Immediately following a front when there is a drastic drop in water temperature, fishing the shallow portions of a grass flat on a sunny afternoon may be your best bet. I like to find coves and bayous that are protected from the wind and have dark bottom to absorb heat. I would use weedless-rigged plastic baits or flies that suspend or sink very slowly with weed guards, like my Flats Minnow, in this situation.

Snook season will reopen on February 1^st and fishing lighted docks and bridge fenders will be very productive. As long as we don’t have a strong front that drops the water temperature drastically, they will gorge themselves on glass minnows. The water will be warmest during the early evening hours, which is also why they are most active at that time. Without a doubt, fly fishing for snook at night will be the most productive technique. You can make delicate presentations and “match the hatch” almost perfectly with small white flies such as Capt. Roy’s String Bean or my Grass Minnow fly. Anglers using spinning tackle can also score with small white jigs, plastic shrimp or a free-lined live shrimp. It is very important to cast up tide of structure and lighted areas and drift your bait down to the fish. If you hit them on the head it will be over, at least for a while.

You can also fish rivers and creeks for snook during February. I had a very good trip several years ago on the Myakka River on a rainy, windy day when a front was passing through. It really wasn’t fit to fish anywhere else, but the river offered enough protection for us to fish. We caught several snook in the 30” class on jerk worms fished on a jig head. The outside bends of the rivers are the areas to target since this is where you’ll find the most current and deepest water. Fly anglers can do the same thing with a sink-tip fly line and a baitfish pattern such as a Clouser or a Deceiver.

Another good option will be fishing docks for a variety of fish. On a cold morning following a front, if you can’t find fish in potholes or can’t get them to bite, give dock fishing a try. You might find reds, flounder, sheepshead or crevalle jacks around or under docks. I look for docks that have deep water and good tidal flow. I’ll use my push pole or electric motors to fish an edge and then anchor and fish a dock more thoroughly when I locate fish. Jigs or Clouser flies fished on a sink-tip fly line would be my top choices for dock fishing. You can also use a live shrimp, either free-lined or with a small split shot depending on the current. Tipping a jig with a tiny piece of fresh shrimp will give you the best of both worlds. Longboat Key, Bird Key and Siesta Key have hundreds of docks to fish. Be respectful and courteous when fishing these areas and remember it is private property. Never tie onto someone’s dock or walk on a dock. My policy is that if someone asks me to leave, although it very rarely happens, I’ll politely move on. There are plenty of places to fish.

You may have the fastest action when fishing deep grass flats for big ladyfish, trout, bluefish or pompano. Ladyfish will probably be the most plentiful, but if you work your way through them you may find any of the other species. Jigs and Clouser flies fished on an intermediate or sink-tip fly line and cast ahead of the drift are how I usually fish deep grass flats. You can also use a live shrimp, either free-lined or under a popping cork or a plastic shrimp under a “clacker”. This rig catches so many fish it’s silly!

During February, I let fishing conditions (tide, weather and water temperature) determine where and how I’ll fish. If what you choose to do isn’t working, don’t beat yourself up, just move on to another game plan. Everyone likes to catch the glamour species, reds and snook, but you can have plenty of action with a variety of other fish if those fish aren’t biting. Whatever you choose to do, remember to limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!

 

Tight Lines,

Capt. Rick Grassett

Snook Fin-Addict Guide Service, Inc.

(941) 923-7799

E-mail snookfin@aol.com

www.flyfishingflorida.net and www.snookfin-addict.com