By: Joe Sheaffer
During the winter months in Southwest Florida, the weather and the conditions do change. As the winter months approach, inshore species will transition into their winter mode. These seasonal changes may not seem drastic but for many of our target species it can be stressful. The water is cooling, daylight is shorter, our tides are lower, the water is clearer and their food sources are different. We will need to make some changes to the way we fish for them. With a few adjustments to our presentations we can have success during this time of year. The following are a few strategies that have helped me be successful during the winter and they may help you as well. During the winter, I usually wait for the sun to come up and start warming the shallows before I venture out on the water. Sure, there will be times that the weather will be stable and fishing early can be very productive but during and after a cold front many of our species are a little less frisky until the sun comes up. I will spend more time on the deeper edges of the flats and mangroves that are near channels. As the sun gets up and the water warms I will move shallower, many of our species tend to do the same. My lure presentations will be slow, steady and less erratic. Many days the fish may not be as aggressive and often are looking for an easy target. I like using a smaller presentation like smaller jigs (1/8 oz to 3/16 oz) with paddle tails, artificial shrimp lures can be very effective this time of year simply because that tends to be a targeted prey source. During cold spells, I like to spend more time around hard structures, like docks, sea walls, rip rap, wrecks and deeper holes. These types of areas will often be a bit warmer and still create current and many of our predatory species will feel a bit more comfortable. Using a heavier jig and a more deliberate presentation, like popping the jig off the bottom and letting it sit a little longer has proven to be successful. I surely don’t have all the answers, but I have had success with these strategies and I have confidence that they may help other anglers during this time of year. Good luck and keep casting.