I want to start by casting a shout out to Manny Altman for the great job this past month at the 1st Annual Eggnog Open in Steinhatchee. She put together a tournament “with cash and prizes” at the last minute, and it was a great success, with over 40 anglers who came out to fish. It was a beautiful day and fishing was good for many of the anglers. It’s a definite to put on the calendar for 2017.
Fishing over the last few weeks has been good, and should continue to be good over the next month. The cold fronts usually shut the fish down for several days, as the water temperature drop well below the 58-degree mark. Waiting several days after the cold snap, and allowing water temperatures to rise, up to the magical 58-degree mark or warmer, seems to be working well for our Horseshoe anglers. I’ve seen some really nice gator trout and slot redfish.
A lot of fish are being caught sight-fishing. The water has been crystal clear. Sight-fishing in the shallows is as much fun as a fisherman can have. Finding an elevated platform on the bow of your boat increases your ability to see fish in the clear shallow water. Casting to a big trout or redfish. and watching that fish turn on your bait and strike, is an adrenaline rush like no other. I see more and more people catching-on to this technique and once you experience it, you’re hooked.
The winter run of those big female convicts should be coming near the peak. Offshore rocks and reefs should be holding sheepshead in large numbers. These big girls come in this time of the year to spawn and can be loads of fun. It’s also a good way to load a cooler full of great fish and table fare. There are many inshore reefs that are easily reachable on a good day from a smaller bay boat. Using extreme caution and make sure it’s a good day. No fish is worth taking the chance of going offshore in a smaller boat in rough seas. Anchoring up on many of the public reefs, and fishing the bottom with a shrimp or fiddler crabs (if you have time to round them up) is the preferred technique. The subtle bite is the trick or the art of catching these fish. Usually by the time you feel the bite, it’s too late, you’ve lost your bait.
We are surely looking forward to this year and the many things that are in store for us in Horseshoe.“Salty Shoe Apparel” will be opening soon. Wendy has worked so hard putting together a new store in Horseshoe Beach, selling all your Horseshoe Beach apparel and much, much more. Come by, meet Wendy and see the new store in the middle of the Plaza on Main Street.
Save the date, April 1st, 10am-4pm for the spring festival in Horseshoe Beach. Many vendors, great food, and entertainment will be on display. Come join in on the fun.