Watch for Spanish mackerel to be holding near the inlet and beaches. Troll with small silver and gold spoons for good results. You might want to use some light wire for leader. Kingfish are close to shore this month also. Try slow trolling a live mullet. Cruise along real slow, between 1.5-to-2 knots. Definitely use wire stinger rigs for these toothy guys.
Farther offshore around the 90 foot reefs, the dolphin bite has been great. Several times recently, while anchored up bottom fishing, dolphin have come right up to the boat. Hanging a chum bag over the stern really helps to bring the fish to you. Cobia and kingfish enjoy a chum slick as well. If you’re specifically targeting dolphin, head out to the edge of the Gulf Stream and drag some baits around!
For the sailfish enthusiast, this is your month. The sailfish are plentiful and can be caught using the same tactics as you would trolling for dolphin. Both species like the same conditions and eat the same prey. Look for weed lines, rips and temperature breaks for a good spot to begin trolling.
With the closure of grouper season in January, many anglers will be taking one last shot at putting a few on ice. Target the ledges in 75-to-100 feet. A hand sized pinfish makes great live bait for grouper. The same ledges should be holding a variety of snappers and triggerfish as well. We actually caught some really nice yellowtail snapper recently. It was pretty cool because we don’t see big ones often out of Sebastian. Scale your tackle down for snappers. They have been leader shy lately. Try some 30-pound stuff and smaller hooks.