February is upon us and we are in the last leg of the winter fishing season. This is a great month to tackle a list of boating and fishing projects while old man winter is still hanging around.
There is always something to be done on your boats, from annual service, detailing and waxing, and I would rather tackle these projects in the winter because of the weather and sometimes slower fishing.
If you are not servicing your engine yourself, it is a great time to get it into your local dealership for a service, because they are usually in their slow season which makes for faster turn around and sometimes winter special rates.
Now back to the fishing, February inshore fishing has been good with large schools of redfish on the flats.
We have been having our best luck on warmer sunny days with lite wind near low tide.
The fish are not overly aggressive but are extremely spooky due to clear water and heavy pressure from fisherman and dolphins.
Giving the fish plenty of space and a stealthy approach to the school has been the key to a productive day.
I have been downsizing the baits, leader size, and weight to help produce a bite with skittish fish on clearer water days.
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Soft plastics have been working well on the flats either rigged on a small jig head or flutter hook, with a slower than normal retrieve.
Some of the schools that have had a little more pressure we have convinced them to eat by pitching and soaking chucks of mullet and crab and being patient.
Water is a little colder than normal with some large cold fronts moving through in January and with temps hovering in upper 40’s.
Hopefully we are on the backside of old man winter, and spring will be here sooner than later.
The red drum, trout and sheepshead have been much more aggressive and cooperative on warmer days with rising barometer.
On warmer days we have been fishing grass and oyster banks with popping corks with either live or artificial baits, and on cooler days fishing deeper (8-15 feet) slow rolling soft plastics on 1/4 and 1/2oz jig heads with soft plastics.
The sheepshead have been stacked in high number around dock pilings and rock walls, doing best while using fiddlers or oysters with small sharp j-hooks with short leaders.
Out at the nearshore reef, there are tons of seabass but not a lot of variety, but we have found some nice sheepshead and a few weakfish and winter sharks hanging near the structure.
Take advantage of the nonexistent crowd on the water and boat ramps before the busy season. Bundle up, stay safe, and take a kid fishing to preserve the future of the outdoors.
– Tight Lines,
Captain John Ward
Give us a call at 843-693-2460 or look us up on the web at www.affinitycharters.com
One of our captains can help get you out for an enjoyable day on the water.
Captain John Ward / Affinity Charters
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