By: Capt. Travis Freeman
The water is slowly beginning to start to warm back up from the winter cold. The redfish and snook bite have been amazing so far and will only going get better from here as the waters continue to warm up in the Gulf of Mexico and near shores along Florida’s Southwest coastline. This time of the year I like to use live bait, however, it can be hard to find as they move and migrate offshore to spawn, so it never hurts to have a live well full of live shrimp before heading out. I always use a popping cork with about 3ft of 30- or 40-pound fluorocarbon leader tied to a #4 J hook with a 1/8oz egg weight just above the hook. This seems to works great for sea trout, red fish, black drum and many other species of game fish living in and around the Gulf. Also, when fishing with live shrimp or cut lady fish, I like to put on a 1/4oz egg weight just above a #4 J hook as this works better when fishing depths between 4ft to 8ft of water. 4ft of water or less, and you can free line a live shrimp and or cut bait “mullet lady fish” under or around any structure nearby. These techniques have worked very well for me when it comes to using live shrimp or cut bait. As for the fishing in the backcountry and rivers connected to the Gulf of Mexico, I like to throw lures or plugs all along the mangrove shorelines and or any nearby structures underwater. One of my favorite lures to use this time of the year in early to mid-February is a 3in sinking mirror lure and or a 3 1/2in suspending Yozuri. Red and white in color and or black and silver. From my very recent experience’s this month, you will catch big snook, red fish, tarpon and many others. If you want to have a blast fishing in The Florida Everglades and spending the day cruising the backcountry and seeing some of Gods greatest creations, then book your bucket list fishing trip and come make friendships and memories of a life time with me.
Captain Travis