[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t’s the New Year and time for some winter fishing. January, being one of our coldest months, will push the fish into deeper water. So, fishing canals and creeks will be your best bets. In St Joe Bay, I would start by fishing the ICW and the Oil Docks. Speckled trout, flounder and redfish will be running in and out on warm days. Trout can also be found in Sandy Creek and the East Bay side of the ICW on warmer days. Soft plastics such as Gulp bait fished slowly near the bottom will produce. As for Apalachicola Bay, the river will be the ticket. Using slow retrieves with soft plastics in the deep holes should produce a nice fish. Just like in St Joe Bay, Speckled trout, Red drum, and flounder will be running in and out with the tides and plan your trips on the warmer days.
Shore Thang Charters offers professionally guided trips for up to 4 people in the St. Joe Bay, Apalachicola Bay, East Bay, and Crooked Island. We specialize in Backcountry and Inshore fishing for Speckled trout, redfish, and flounder using artificial lures and light tackle, but we also offer a wide range of charters including customized trips to fit your needs and our rates start at $250.00. I’m a second generation inshore fishing guide with 10 years experience as a local Captain, and the son of the longest active fishing guide in the area, Capt. Milton Tarpley. I grew up here and have fished the waters along The Forgotten Coast for the past 28 years.
By Captain Hal Tarpley- Shore Thang Charters
www.shorethangfishing.com
850-227-6272