Capt. Matt Fueyo
This has been a weird year so far, and having a few warm days in the middle of our Florida winter isn’t a surprise to the weirdness! So, what’s biting Captain? I say everything! Sheepshead, black drum, red drum, trout, snook, spanish mackerel, lady fish, bluefish…I mean everything! We have had days of catching nothing but juvenile permit and pompano on jig heads to jumping juvenile tarpon under the bridges. Shrimp are the main course this time of year, so I would not want to be a crustacean floating under a cork. Our captains like to use a 3/0 Mustad circle hook with a 2’- 3’ 20-25-pound leader. A popping cork will always work wonders on a flat this time of year. Look for the sand holes on the grass flats and place your shrimp and cork on the edge. If you’re fishing the bottom, a small split shot or a 1/4 oz knocker rig will do the trick. Remember, shrimp move slowly, especially as the water temperature drops. Cold water will also cause fish to chase baits slower as well, so keep this in mind while working your bait. Moving your bait slowly will get most fishes attention. The good news is, the fluctuating water temperature has the fish in a feeding frenzy, and our guests are having an absolute blast catching them on our charters. Catching these wintertime fish can sometimes be a challenge, but it seems that our conservation efforts made by law makers and the FWC are helping restore the overall fish population. Dredging and re-nourishment projects have concluded and the bay is healing nicely. We are hopeful for an amazing spring season! 
