Shorter periods of daylight and falling water temperatures on the Indian River Lagoon system can present anglers with the best sight fishing conditions experienced all year. With less algae in the water and low water levels on the flats, sight fishing conditions greatly improve in January but a stealthy presentation and long cast are critical to entice spooky fish. As the sun warms the water, target sandy potholes on the grass flats where both redfish and sea trout lay seeking the warmth of the sun’s reflection on sand. On colder days, target deeper locations where the water is a few degrees warmer and slow down your presentation.
On warmer days when the flats heat up, the feeding and tailing activity of redfish and black drum improves because the shallow water warms up faster. Another very important part of the equa- tion is to match the hatch. When targeting redfish, black drum, and sea trout during the colder months, I like to downsize my bait, slow down my presentation, and fish with a shrimp or crab im- itation bait like the D.O.A. Shrimp or Crab with a Woodie’s Rattle inserted to add the element of sound to your lure.
In freshwater on the St Johns River – As the water temperature cools, both black crappie and American shad will move into the creeks and shallow flats along the lakes to spawn. Crappie typ- ically spawns along the shallow edges around structure during the full and new moon periods. American shad will stage in the deeper corners of the river, and move up on the sandy shoals to spawn when the water temperatures and conditions are right. Try slow trolling plastic crappie jigs and lures like the Road Runner tipped with a minnow until you locate fish, and then concentrate your efforts matching the same techniques, depth and area to improve your success.
