In February, fishing conditions are constantly changing. Pre front and post front fishing are significantly different from each other. Pre front is full of great fishing and warmer water temps, while post front fishing is more challenging, yet very rewarding. With cooler water temps, you are going to want to use a smaller presentation, slow it down and fish deeper.
For peacock bass, try using deep diving crankbaits, twitch baits and suspending jerk baits. The largemouth bass are still chewing, even as some of them have started to make their way onto their beds for the season. For largemouth bass, we’ve been using white or golden shiner colored chatter baits and the ned rig has been working really well. If you don’t have a ned rig, simply take a regular sized worm, cut it in half and use it on a stand up jig head. It will work wonders, especially when the water temperatures are cold.
If using live bait, concentrate on fishing near lots of grass or vegetation. Use a small float to keep your bait out of the cover. If there’s no vegetation, use a small split shot to let your baits sit on the bottom. If you take your kids fishing, use live worms or minnows to have nonstop action with sunfish, bluegill, and crappie. You can chum these panfish up with bread balls. Make sure you use a #4 hook or smaller.
We had the opportunity to fish the Lake Ida Chain this past month and the clown knifefish and sunshine bass fishing has been on fire with. Fish live bait on the bottom or work deep diving crankbaits slowly. If fishing from land, work your artificial baits perpendicular to the bank. If fishing by boat or kayak, you can slow troll your crankbaits to entice a bite.
Overall, when the water temperature cools down, the fish tend to slow down. If you aren’t catching fish in one particular spot, wait it out longer than you usually would in the spring, summer or fall fishing.
Tight lines!
Capt. Johnny Stabile
(954) 440-5200
South Florida Fishing Charters
sflfishingcharters.com