WINTER FISHING TIPS
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THE IMPORTANCE OF BOAT INSURANCE
Embarking on the open water is an exhilarating experience, flled with the promise of adventure and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a weekend cruiser, protecting your vessel with proper insurance is not just a choice—it’s a necessity. Explore the reasons why every boat owner should prioritize boat insurance for a worry-free voyage.
Unpredictable waters
The open water can be unpredictable, with unexpected storms, collisions, or other potential accidents. Boat insurance can give you fnancial protection if there is damage to your vessel, providing coverage for repairs or replacement.
Damage and injury
Accidents on the water can result in damage to other boats, docks, or even injuries to passengers. Boat insurance offers liability coverage, which can pay for damages or injuries you’re liable for while boating, up to specifed limits, and lawsuit costs if you’re sued. This includes damage you cause to another watercraft or if someone on or near your boat is injured and you’re found to be legally responsible.
Theft and vandalism
Unfortunately, boat theft and vandalism are realities that boat owners face. Boat insurance has comprehensive and collision coverage that can protect you against events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism.
Incurred medical payments
Accidents on the water may lead to injuries for you or your passengers. Boat insurance offers a range of optional medical payments coverage limits, helping to cover medical expenses if you are in an accident or someone is hurt on your boat, regardless of fault.
Peace of mind for fnancing
If you fnanced the purchase of your boat, most lenders require insurance coverage to protect their investment. Having boat insurance not only fulflls these requirements but also gives you peace of mind knowing that your fnancial interests are safeguarded.
Navigational fexibility
Some water municipalities and marinas may require proof of insurance for docking or accessing certain areas. Boat insurance allows you the fexibility to explore different destinations without worrying about entry restrictions.
Emergency towing and assistance
Progressive boat insurance can include optional Sign & Glide® On-Water Towing coverage. If your boat is disabled or breaks down on the water, Sign & Glide® pays for on-water towing, jump starts, soft un-groundings, and fuel delivery.
Wreckage removal
If your boat sinks, Progressive boat insurance will cover the cost of removing your boat from the water (if removal is legally required).
Investing in boat insurance is not just about protecting a valuable asset; it’s about safeguarding the memories, experiences, and joy that come with your on-water adventures. Don’t let unforeseen circumstances disrupt your journey—navigate with confdence, knowing that Progressive boat insurance has you covered. Ensure a smooth and worry-free voyage, because when it comes to your boat, peace of mind is the ultimate luxury.
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MAHALO, RODNEY...
By Ben Martin, Editor in Chief
On December 11th at 3:00 p.m. the marine industry lost one of its kindest and most heartfelt supporters. A lifelong supporter of environmental awareness, the love of nature and teaching kids how to !sh, Rodney Smith was the earliest proponent of Florida’s groundbreaking net ban. He was the founder and publisher of the original Coastal Angler Magazine, creator and tireless volunteer of its Hook Kids On Fishing Program. Capt. Rodney Smith spent the better part of his life trying to improve the marine environment and sharing the wonders of the art and sport of !shing.
Rodney’s love and kindness was boundless.
Lifeguard, !shing captain, surfer, author, entrepreneur, and friend to all, Rodney Smith’s time on this earth was well spent helping others and showing love to Mother Nature and the marine environment.
Anyone whoever walked with Rodney would have invariably returned with a bag or pocketful of trash that he picked up along the way and then a erwards meticulously separated for recycling. Anyone whoever disparaged anyone else in Rodney’s presence would have immediately heard something positive about that person from Rodney. at’s just who he was.
Loving father, caring husband and faith driven entrepreneur, Rodney’s life was truly exemplary and saintlike. He will be missed, but he will also surely receive the same pat on the back and heartfelt “Good Job” that he gave to so many others while here.
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DISCOVER BOATING MIAMI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2025
A BOATER’S PARADISE AWAITS
The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show (DBMIBS) is set to return from February 12–16, 2025, bringing an extraordinary showcase of the marine industry. is annual event continues to draw boating enthusiasts, industry leaders, and newcomers alike, o ering a combination of innovation, and community.
Highlights of the 2025 Edition
Spread across six iconic Miami locations—Miami Beach Convention Center, Pride Park, Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina, Museum Park Marina, and Superyacht Miami at Yacht Haven Grande—DBMIBS provides a multifaceted experience.
e Miami Beach Convention Center and Pride Park will host the latest in marine technology, boating gear, and vessels up to 49’’. On the water, Herald Plaza and Venetian Marina will feature a lineup of vessels, from sleek center consoles to high-performance powerboats.
A Boating Community Experience
e Progressive Boat Show Experience promises an engaging lineup of seminars, boating classes, and the popular AquaZone, an interactive space where attendees can test products and gain hands-on skills. For those looking to elevate their visit, Windward VIP tickets grant access to exclusive lounges, curated dining options, and concierge service.
Digital ticketing ensures a seamless entry process, with water taxis making it easy to explore the show’s sprawling venues. Water taxi tickets are sold separately.
From anglers to luxury yacht a!cionados, the show caters to all corners of the marine world. With its rich blend of exhibits, educational opportunities, and waterfront allure, it remains a must-visit event on the global boating calendar.
For more details and ticket options, visit www.miamiboatshow.com.
Cold Water Winter Fishing for Trout in the Smoky Mountains
By Joe Woody
When winter descends upon the Smoky Mountains, the streams and rivers transform into a serene and picturesque setting. For avid anglers, this season o ers a unique and rewarding opportunity to !sh for trout. Cold water !shing in the Smokies during winter demands preparation, knowledge, and patience, but the solitude and satisfaction of hooking a trout in these crisp conditions make it all worthwhile.
Trout are cold-water !sh, and they remain active during the winter, albeit at a slower pace. eir metabolism decreases as water temperatures drop, making them less aggressive and more selective in their feeding habits. During this season, trout tend to conserve energy by holding in deeper pools or near submerged structures where currents are slow and food is more accessible.
e Smoky Mountains, known for their pristine streams and diverse aquatic habitats, provide excellent winter !shing opportunities. e recent storm damage has not changed that, although access and former topographical structuring may be somewhat altered the !sh have adapted and so will anglers. Rainbow, brown, and brook trout can all be found in the cold, clear waters of this region, with brook trout being particularly prevalent in the higher elevations.
Winter !shing requires careful planning to ensure success and safety. e Smoky Mountains can get bitterly cold in winter. Dressing in layers, including moisturewicking base layers, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof outerwear, is crucial. Gloves and a hat are always a must: Nymphs, midges, and small streamers are excellent choices for winter trout !shing. Patterns like the Zebra Midge, Pheasant Tail, and Woolly Bugger o en prove e ective. Since aquatic insect activity is minimal in winter, imitating small and slowmoving prey is key.
clear, low water conditions. Using light tippets (5x or 6x) and uorocarbon leaders can improve your presentation and increase your chances of a hookup.
Focus on deeper pools and areas with slow-moving water. Dead dri ing nymphs under an indicator or slowly
Winter trout can be extra wary due to the
Townsend, this stream is a favorite among anglers for its healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout.
• Deep Creek: Known for its easy access just outside Bryson City, this area o ers a true remote !shing experience with just a short walk up its trail.
• Abrams Creek: Featuring clear waters and ample trout habitat, Abrams Creek is a reliable option for winter anglers
Winter trout are o en more active during the warmer parts of the day. Plan your trip to coincide with midday or early a ernoon. Low, clear water makes trout more alert to movement and noise. Approach the stream cautiously and keep a low pro!le. As any angler in these parts will tell you, always be mindful of slippery rocks and cold water. Wearing wading boots with good traction and a wading belt is essential.
retrieving a streamer can entice a bite. Pay attention to subtle strikes, as trout in winter o en feed so ly.
e Smoky Mountains are home to numerous streams, many of which are accessible year-round. Some top spots for winter !shing include:
• Little River: With easy access near
Fishing for trout in the Smoky Mountains during winter is a serene and ful!lling experience. e combination of tranquil surroundings, reduced crowds, and the challenge of cold-water angling creates an unforgettable adventure. With the right preparation and approach, you can enjoy the magic of winter !shing and make memories that will last a lifetime.
CHARTER BOOKINGS:
CALL THE CAPTAIN!
By Capt Quinlyn Haddon
Ihave been prompted to cover the topic of booking a charter a!er a recent experience I had that could have easily been avoided.
I was asked to work a charter with a company that I had never shed with before. e charter was booked last minute through a booking agency, that I will not directly mention. e notes of the booking repeatedly and clearly requested a full day o shore trip for yellow n. I went to meet with the captain, and helped him rig up for a tuna trip for the following day.
Yellow n tuna are not prevalent in the Florida Keys, but black n tuna are, so we informed the clients of this as we headed o shore in the morning.
Nearing the end of the trip, with a box full of tuna, the clients asked when we were going to get into the yellow n snapper.
e clients had wanted to sh inshore for yellowtail snapper, but they accidentally paid more for an o shore trip, simply because they used a booking agency and didn’t understand that yellow n and yellowtail were di erent species.
If you are wanting to book a charter, please call captains directly! Charter captains do not want to take you out on the water for a boat ride, we want to customize your day so you get the most out of it. Hearing about your expectations and helping answer your questions is paramount in our planning of your trip.
We do not do this job for the money, and most of us are scraping by. We have respect for what a big expense it is to book a charter. We understand that some groups may have saved up a long time to have this experience only once in their lives, and it is extremely important that we give you the trip you are looking for. We might even tell you to rethink the timing of your trip so you can come when your bucketlist sh is most targetable, something a booking agency knows nothing about. ey might be designed to take your money, but that is not what we are about.
If you nd a charter company you like through a shing booking agency, I would recommend going around them and calling a charter captain directly. Chances are that they have raised their prices to stomach the 30% fee the agency takes from them, and you can save money. Alternatively, they have not done so, and a direct call will put the money into the pocket where it belongs.
Booking agencies help ll the calendars, and for a lot of shermen whose strong suits are on the water, booking charters and advertising can be challenging. Some of the best captains have zero online presence. ere are a few agencies who aren’t as greedy as the one from this particular experience, and who may actually have knowledgeable people assisting you with your booking. However, nothing is going to beat speaking with the captain who you are hiring and sharing your day with.
We aren’t scary pirates or too busy to put in that phone time with you, and we are happy to connect with you before you book your trip. Give us a call!
Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’Nuf Charters out of Marathon, Florida Keys - (504) 920-6342. www.captainquinlyn.com; IG: @captainquinlyn
WINTER FISHING: SIZE OVER COLOR FOR SUCCESS T
By Capt. Michael Okruhlik
he question of lure size is a common debate among anglers, and while di erent situations require di erent approaches, one thing is clear: sh don’t read shing articles or watch YouTube videos. ey eat when they want, and as anglers, it’s up to us to adapt. In my experience, adjusting lure size is more important than focusing on color—especially in winter shing for coastal species like trout, red sh, and %ounder.
Size vs. Color
When things aren’t going as planned, many anglers immediately reach for a di erent color. However, I nd size to be the more important factor. Fish are typically feeding on prey of a speci c size, not necessarily a speci c color. In my experience, changing the size of the lure is usually more e ective than changing its color. If size doesn’t produce a bite, I might try changing the style of the lure next.
Changes in Estuaries
As winter approaches, our estuaries undergo several changes: cooler water temperatures, shi!ing forage patterns, less boat tra c, and o!en clearer water. ese changes create two schools of thought about lure size: go bigger or go smaller. Some anglers upsize their lures for the entire season, while others prefer downsizing. Both strategies can work, and I will utilize both methods.
Cooling Water and Fish Behavior
Cold fronts trigger cooling water temperatures and unpredictable sh behavior. Unlike the more consistent feeding patterns of stable weather, sh during early winter can make sh moody, switching between aggressive feeding and total inactivity. Late fall and early winter can be some of the best shing of the year, especially when schools of bait are %ushed out by falling tides. Hungry speckled trout and red sh follow these schools, and I prefer using smaller lures in these active feeding conditions. Fish are typically feeding on smaller prey like shrimp or shad, so a similarly sized lure is o!en the best match.
During these times, I also favor non-natural colors. When bait is abundant, sh can more easily spot a contrasting color, helping them target your lure amid the feeding frenzy. is is di erent from spring shing, where matching the color and size of the bait is key. In the fall and winter, standing out with an eye-catching color can be more e ective.
Clearer Water and Smaller Lures
Another reason for downsizing in winter is clearer water. In some bays, water visibility improves signi cantly during the winter, reaching depths of 6-7 feet of clear water. Fish aren’t accustomed to this level of clarity and can be more cautious. In these conditions, a smaller, less intrusive lure will o!en get more bites. When I can clearly see my lure bouncing along the bottom, a small presentation tends to be more successful.
Conclusion
Winter shing requires %exibility. By focusing on size and action rather than color, and adjusting to factors like water clarity and post-frontal conditions, you’ll increase your chances of success. Fish may be moody, but with the right approach, you can adapt and still catch plenty of sh.
Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures® and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.
FCENTRAL FLORIDA FORECAST
irst, we would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! Here’s to hoping all of your big bass “fishes” come true in 2025. If you need help with that, that is what we are here for as your local fishing guide service. We’ve been guiding in Central Florida from the Harris Chain, to the Winter Haven Chains, and the Kissimmee Chain for 15 years - and counting - as the official guide for Polk Counties Tourism Board VisitCentralFlorida. org, and running the guide service out of Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina & RV Resort on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.
The basics of how this “forecast” will go is totally weather driven particularly this time of year. And January’s weather looks to be favorable for us in 2025. We all know that Ma’ Nature loves to throw curveballs at us as fishermen. Honestly, I think she likes to play games in deer hunting season too but I digress. Hopefully, the weather will kinda average to my favorite temperatures of 75/55 for most of the month. But as usual, the 3rd week of January looks like a clunker, weather-wise. Now, we’ll still catch ‘em but it’s going to differ from everything else I’m offering as the standards for the month.
Starting out on the Winter Haven Chains - for those not familiar, we have the North and South minus the Mason Dixon Line - I’m fishing offshore in 10’-20’ as long as I’m on a grass line of hydrilla or eel grass. Here your primary bait fish are smaller 3” white bait shad. You will have a handful of days around the moon phases when the bass will be on a bluegill binge, but mostly it’s the shad, so keeping your bait selection pared down will help.
With the water clearing with lack of rainfall and letting the springs fill the lakes will give the you, and the fish, greater visibility. I’ve been a huge fan of the Z-Man 4” Jerk ShadZ in natural colors but the 5” will work and if you don’t have the Z-Man, ZOOM flukes catch the heck out of fish also. Having a few jerkbaits - both shallow and deep divers - in white, pearl, silver, along with Rattle Traps in both 1/4oz and 1/2oz is gospel. If you are into a tough bite situation, bust out a wacky rigged stick bait of your favorite brand in watermelon red, black, green pumpkin pepper, or motor oil.
Moving southeast to Lake Wales and Camp Mack on the Kissimmee Chain is a predominantly different ball game. Here you can go from open water spinnerbait / chatterbait, to froggin’ & flippin’ within 10 yards of each other in under 4 hours.
Let’s start with what we hope is our “typical” morning. We’re in open water over scattered hyrdilla and eel grass anywhere between 5 and 9 FOW throwing a combo of a hollow body frog and a Spook or Devil’s Horse to find which may draw the best bite. Also, a gold/silver spinner bait is a good option because the predominant forage is wild shiners. Now, if you really want to get crazy the new Z-Man Tungsten Chatterbait Elite EVO drives fish wild. Talking with the rest of the team at ICAST and seeing it’s erratic action in person I was impressed and let me tell you that the way this bait will knock itself off a straight line and come right back is something fish are not used to, especially the Big Mamas that have “been there done that” in the lakes. If you can find one, get it! This with a Chatter Spike trailer is deadly out here. Some days you can stay off shore as long as you like, but when guests want a variety we move back to the grass lines chucking frogs (swimming not popping because of the heavy vegetation) and here you can also flip your favorite worms or jigs. I’m a sucker for a Culprit FatMax ribbon tail and you should throw your favorite “go to” bigger bodied worm or creature bait.
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TKISSIMMEE FORECAST
o all readers we wish you the very best of the new year! To all returned Snow Birds welcome home! It has been my honor to have forecasted for the Coastal Angler and the Kissimmee Chain for the past ten years. Every year seems to present unique challenges to forecast fishing on The Chain and I expect this year to will be the same.
Currently, water levels are about a foot over normal pool. Water clarity is pretty good on The Chain despite the hurricanes this just a few months ago. December was a pretty good month for spawning bass. Look for this to taper off as water temperatures fall this month. This is very good news for all of you bass anglers as post spawn bass are very hungry and aggressive.
The Kissimmee River and Lake Hatchineha will be the best two bodies of water to fish for bass this month in The Chain. On Lake Hatchineha, concentrate your efforts on thick isolated patches of cup pads and bull rushes. Use weightless Senkos, swim baits on a 5/0 Mission hook with a 1/8 ounce weight. Also, Ultra Vibe Speed Worms on 3/16 Bass Rattle Weights for best results.
...the long line trolling on this lake with small Crank baits, Road Runners, or in-line Spinners. ...but often times the very largest of Crappie are caught this way.
On extremely windy days or past cold front days fish the ledges in the main canals or the creeks. Use 3/8 ounce Jigs tapped with a Beaver style flipping bait or 1/8 ounce Rattle weight with a Senko. Black and blue colors work best.
HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES FORECAST
Start the year off right - go out and catch some fish! The bass are schooling due to the recent cooler weather and are chasing shad while fatting up for the spawn.
The high-water conditions in the chain of lakes give the bass access to shallow areas, look for them bedding in 3 feet of water or less. Try chatter baits, bright orange or chrome-blue back rattle traps, Junebug or black with blue tail trick worms, Senko’s or speed worms worked slowly along the deeper Kissimmee grass close to deeper water or ledges. The bigger fish will be staging close to mouth of canals, creeks or either end of the Dead River in the surrounding cover or deeper holes. Try slow trolling a large live wild shiner under a cork or balloon while casting artificial baits down the bank. Lake Harris, Lake Eustis and their canals as well as Lake Dora, Clear Canal and the Apopka Canal will be the best places to look and hunt for the many waves of bedding fish. With the cold fronts coming every 5 to 7 days, the 2nd and 3rd days after the front arrives will be the best days to fish. January brings opportunities for the biggest bass of the spawning season! If you catch one of these giant females, handle them with care, take a few pics and release them to finish their spawning cycle. Her babies grow up to be trophies.
Lakeside Bait and Tackle in Tavares near the Buzzard Beach boat ramp is selling a ton of minnows and says that the Crappie are showing up in numbers and size on Lake Dora, in Lake Eustis and Lake Griffin. Zip jigs, Roadrunner jigs and minnows rigs are working. If you are going to fish for crappies be sure to register and enter your crappie in the 16th Annual Shad & Crappie Derby. Owens Fishing & Marine, Lake Side Bait & Tackle and Nobles Marine are all sign-up locations close to the chain.
PHIL WOLF
The Kissimmee River between the first and second loch is going to be one hot ticket for bass fishing this winter. On more pleasant days, fish the main canal. Key in on the cup pad lines, the thicker the better. Speed worms, Speed craws, or Senkos are best in the pads. Use 1/8 ounce to ¼ ounce Texas rigged.
On windy days, try one of several sloughs available off the main canal. They offer shelter and warmth on the nastiest of days and often times the water temperature can be several degrees warmer. I only throw weightless Senkos in these sloughs, casting as tight as I can to the banks for best results.
For bass anglers that use wild or domestic grade shiners, Lake Cypress could be the small lake that gives up some Monster Bass this year. Slow troll your Shiners down the edges of the eel grass beds. On bad weather days, South Port Canal is a great place to drag Shiners.
For crappie anglers, this should be a great year for limits of Big Slabs. Lake Rosalie is still the crowned jewel of the Kissimmee Chain for Big Slabs. Crappie will stay in 15 feet of water suspended at 7 to 11 feet. On calm days, schools of Crappie can be found by watching for pads of Threadfin Shad on the surface of the water. Slip Cork Rigs are still the ticket on Lake Rosalie. Medium-sized minnows seem to work the best.
Don’t ignore the long line trolling on this lake with small Crank baits, Road Runners, or in-line Spinners. You won’t catch as many this way, but often times the very largest of Crappie are caught this way.
On to a Happy New Year of great fishing!
ST JOHNS RIVER FORECAST
January signals the spawning season for most of our freshwater targets this month – largemouth bass, black crappie, and American and hickory shad. As water levels drop the minnow hatch floods the river with plenty to eat for the reproducers. Stripers will be around too, but the ones we get here in the St Johns are sunshine bass and as hybrids they’re sterile.
Fish of the Month - American and hickory shad are here! Have you signed up for the Shad and Crappie Derby? Look for anglers targeting shad from Mullet Lake Park all the way upstream into the Econlockhatchee River and Puzzle Lake. Match the minnow hatch – wild minnows are small. Shad will hit crappie jigs, and they love shad darts and small spoons too. Longline troll a little faster than you would for specks. Vary speeds between 1.8 – 2.5 mph both with the current and against. Let out plenty of line (75-100 feet) out so that the lure is deeper in the water column. The by catch might just be a large sunshine bass!
Male largemouth bass will be competing for spawning areas as the large females stage nearby for the right time to go on the beds. This time of year bass anglers begin the hunt for that trophy fish. Look for beds in shallow, then start fan casting the vicinity - usually the females will be within 100 feet of the beds ready to take rattling crank baits like a Rattle Trap. Plastic worms work well too; all bass eat lizards who steal eggs (hint). Remember to work your soft baits slower than normal with the colder water temperatures. The best soft plastic color in the river is typically blue/black with red or blue flakes. Join Coastal Angler Orlando on January 18 for Hook’d on Lake Monroe! Registration is Friday January 17th – 6:00 pm at Wild Wild West End Honky Tonk Saloon, 206 South Sanford Avenue.
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LAKE OKEECHOBEE FORECAST
The bass and crappie spawn has been in full swing since last month, so now is the time to book a fun-filled day of fishing, whether it is filling the cooler with crappies or landing that big bass of a lifetime! January 2025 marks Capt. Angie’s twenty first year as a guide on this beautiful Lake Okeechobee fishery, helping friends and families make lasting memories.
Bass fishing areas to try: the Shoal from Blue Hole on up to the opening that leads into Moonshine Bay. I’m seeing some boats fishing in Moonshine, some days you catch them and other days you can’t hardly buy a bite but it’s an area that’s fishable on windy days. Some areas in the Monkey box and Whidden’s pass as well as Dyess Ditch; Indian Prairie and mostly in Tin House. Both sides of Kings’ bar and River side of Grassy and Eagle Bay close to the hard wall. There are bass being caught over on the east side around J&S if you want to run that far on a low-wind day.
For the crappie bite, the areas are somewhat the same but try Dupree bar (north-side); around Sportsman’s; Indian Prairie and the Kissimmee River. Live minnows work best when anchored fishing the river or grass edges and jigs work best in/around grass. Jig colors to try are white; chartreuse; green; pink and orange. Color choice depends greatly on water clarity and depth.
The current water level is higher than normal for this time of year but still use caution and respect everyone’s space especially in areas where there is a lot of boat traffic/fishing.
To book a bass or crappie trip call 863-228-7263 or log onto Capt. Angie’s website: www.southfloridabassfishing.com where you’ll see up-todate customer’s catches; rates; hotel accommodations; toll-free number for fishing licenses and etc.
Group trips and multiple day trips are available as well as military and one-person trip discounts and a deep hotel discount with the best hotel in town.
Capt. Angie’s sponsors: Caymas Boats; Mercury; Lews; Gene Larew; BnM poles; Mid-South Tackle; Pradco Brands; Bullet Weights; Real Magic; Gill; G-Loomis; Rapala and Navionics.
PORT CANAVERAL FORECAST
Ihope everyone’s holidays were awesome and safe! Thank you to everyone who helped me out this past year. Without our fishing community being so friendly to one another at the port, fishing would be more difficult. Part of doing well out here is knowing where they are chewing and sometimes relying on the help from fellow captains.
The request to have these reports in a month ahead of time makes it difficult to give an exact forecast. If I have been off, I am sorry. I try my best to go by what has been running, what should be running and what was running a year ago to produce the best reports for offshore Port Canaveral.
We do not have the run that down south gets but it is normally decent if you can target them.
Besides the weather being the biggest factor in January, fishing is good when you can get out front. The king run should continue to do well at the reefs and pelican flats. This is also the time the sailfish and wahoo get a little better for us. We do not have the run that down south gets but it is normally decent if you can target them. I looked at my pictures from last year and I remembered we had a few good days of mahi-mahi too.
Please be sure to double-check all the regulations. They are constantly changing, and it is typical the law enforcement officers on the water do not know the rules themselves. If the wind allows you to at least fish the beach, you may come across sea trout, whiting and croakers to keep you and the kids occupied.
Take advantage of the few good days we are going to see this month - get out there and kill a few fish…The Atlantic Ocean is waiting for you, good luck! I look forward to an impressive year and I hope y’all do too.
TAMPA BAY FISHING FORECAST
FISHING DURING LOW TIDES
During the Winter, the water levels in Tampa Bay drop well below the mean low range. On top of that, the water temperature drops into the upper 50’s to low 60’s. These drastic changes force anglers to modify their tactics.
At the first of the month, the grass flats are basically devoid of fish. Heck, at times they’re devoid of water, too. So where did all the fish go, you may ask?
Considering you can see land in many places, the obvious answer is in the creeks, rivers, channels and residential canals. They are all loaded with fish right now. Whatever species you’re looking for, they’re there!
During the Winter, fishes’ metabolism slows down, making them more sluggish. They also seem to prefer shrimp over live scaled sardines. When buying shrimp at the bait shop, I always go for the medium-sized. The selects are just too big and too hard for most fish to easily consume.
When fishing in the Winter months, I rarely use a float, because I’m fishing in deep water with no grass for the shrimp to get buried in. When free lining shrimp, I prefer to hook them in the head under the horn, just in front of the black dot, which is its brain. Hook it in the brain, it’s D.O.A. When you cast a shrimp out, just let it swim around naturally for the best presentation and wait for the strike.
Chumming with pieces of shrimp helps trigger a bite and draws fish to my boat. After a day of fishing, I don’t throw out my remaining shrimp, I bag it and freeze it to use for chum. The next time I go fishing, I let them thaw out and break them into pieces to broadcast them into my fishing spot.
Another thing you’ll notice about Winter fishing is that different species seem to mingle more. I guess it’s because there are so few other places with water--there’s no other choice. Clients are catching snook, redfish, seatrout, sheepshead and small black drum in the same spot.
Regarding sheepshead, even though the sheepshead spawning season doesn’t start until February, the cooler water temperatures have them
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feeding very aggressively. On a recent charter, my clients specifically requested sheepshead, and the day did not disappoint. On the very first cast of the day, they reeled in a 16-inch keeper. Throughout the charter, we must have caught close to 30 sheepshead, along with numerous redfish, seatrout and snook. At the end of the day, they went home with six nice sized keeper sheepshead.
Like I mentioned last month, if you enjoy catching redfish, now is the perfect time to catch plenty. Even though most are rats, (under slot-sized redfish) they are still fun to catch.
The same can be said for seatrout. Clients have been catching some of the largest seatrout of the year, recently. Seatrout school up in the Winter, so when you hit the right spot numerous fish in the 15 to 19-inch slot range can be landed. One thing to keep in mind when handling seatrout is to do so gently. Of all the inshore species in Tampa Bay, they are the most delicate. Unless you’re keeping some for dinner, it’s best to leave them in the water beside the boat, and use a dehooker to release them. When taking pictures of fish that you plan on releasing, also wet your hands so you don’t remove the protective slime on their bodies. Never, ever, handle a fish with a towel.
Snook are also making their presence known. I’m finding snook mixed in with the redfish and seatrout. Just remember, snook are closed to harvest until March 1st, so it’s strictly catch and release.
With no water on the grass flats, fish only have one place to go--that’s deep. The same can be said for dolphins. If you’re out fishing and one or more dolphins move into your area it’s time to leave--game over. Please do not do what I see too many people do. They will continue to fish and every fish they release gets eaten by the dolphins. Sadly, some people seem to get a kick out of it. It’s best to move on and not continue to train dolphins to target boats with anglers.
Afishionado, “Adventures in Fishing.”
—Tampa Bay fishing guide Wade Osborne of “Afishionado Guide Services” has been plying the waters of Tampa Bay as a professional full-time captain, since 1997. Osborne offers inshore fishing charters on light tackle spin, fly or plug. He also offers eco-tours with an emphasis on photography. For more info., visit Afishionado.com or find Afishionado Guide Services on Facebook and Instagram. Email: wade@afishionado.com Call/Text 813-286-3474
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GULF FISHING! Wintertime
If you’re looking for an unforgettable start to a 2025 adventure, Islamorada is the place to be. Known as the “Sport!shing Capital of the World,” this gem in the Florida Keys o ers easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, where the waters are packed with some of the most exciting !sh around: cobia and permit.
Cobia are a favorite for good reason. ese !sh are curious, strong, and put up one heck of a !ght. You’ll o en !nd them hanging out near wrecks, buoys, or even %oating debris, and when they bite, you’ll know it. ey can grow up to 60 pounds, so get ready for a battle when one hits your line. ey also make excellent table fare! We are coming up to the best months to target cobia, so de!nitely keep this species in mind when booking a charter.
Permit !shing is next-level stu . ese sleek, silver beauties are as smart as they are strong, making them a bucket-list catch for many anglers. ey love to hang around wrecks and %ats, and they’re picky eaters. ey love crustaceans, but o en get spooked so your casts must be close to perfect. e real thrill of !shing for permit is in the chase. Spotting a permit tailing in the gulf waters, casting just right, and then feeling that line go tight is pure adrenaline. ey’ll test your patience and your skill, but the payo is worth it.
For the ultimate Gulf !shing experience in Islamorada, check out Bean Sport!shing. Capt. Bean specializes in targeting cobia and permit, ensuring a day on the water you’ll never forget. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a !rst-time angler, his expertise and passion for !shing will make your trip both exciting and successful.
To book a charter, visit www.beansport shing.com. You can also nd Capt. Bean on Instagram @bean_sport shing.
THE NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNITY
Tim Barefoot
As winter deepens, cooler waters push more !sh o the beaches and toward the warmer edges of the Gulf Stream. With grouper and snapper now o -limits due to regulations, it’s time to shi our focus to productive species still on the table—trigger!sh, vermilion snapper (beeliners), and seabass. For those looking to venture even deeper, deepdropping remains an exciting option.
e December full moon o en marks a turning point in !shing. Grouper and speckled trout seasons wind down, leaving anglers to adapt to what the regulatory environment allows. Fortunately, the stacks of triggers, beeliners, and pelagics in deeper waters o er excellent opportunities. Start your search around the 150-foot mark and use your !sh!nder to locate promising spots.
Tools of the Trade
For precision !shing, modern tools like spot-lock trolling motors—such as the Rhodan or Minn Kota—are game changers. ese motors allow you to hover directly over schools of !sh with ease. However, they can be limited when deploying a kite, as the wind necessary for kite !shing can drain trolling motor batteries quickly. at’s
where anchoring, a classic yet e ective technique, comes into play.
Yes, anchoring may feel like a step back for those spoiled by spot-lock motors, but it’s a reliable method for staying on productive marks without straining batteries. Once anchored, consider adding a kite to your !shing arsenal. Kites are particularly e ective for enticing leader-shy species like yellow!n tuna and wahoo. When properly deployed, they minimize visible leader material in the water, o en resulting in immediate strikes.
Teamwork and Preparation
provide hardy, versatile bait. Supplement your live bait with cast-netted !sh to use as live chum or cut into chunks.
A sabiki rig is another indispensable tool. Jigging up live bait at your !shing spot o en produces exactly what predatory species are feeding on. Don’t hesitate to use small snapper, grunts, or other bait!sh you catch with a sabiki as o erings on your light line or kite. Wahoo, for example, have been known to eat everything from full-sized grunts to snapper. Frozen or fresh Spanish mackerel also make excellent bait for wahoo and tuna.
Successful kite !shing requires teamwork. Assign one crew member to manage the kite and bait while others focus on !lling the cooler with trigger!sh and snapper. Proper setup is essential. Bring live bait from inshore or nearshore waters; cigar minnows, sardines, pin!sh, and menhaden are excellent choices. A pin!sh trap can also
The
Experience Fishing during this time of year is about more than just !lling your cooler; it’s about enjoying the process and making memories. Whether you’re targeting bottom-dwellers like trigger!sh or keeping a light line out for the chance at a wahoo or tuna, the key is to stay adaptable and prepared. As always, take the kids along and capture plenty of videos of your adventures. Fishing is more than just a hobby— it’s a way of life.
For more from Tim Barefoot, visit barefootcatsandtackle.com and check out his YouTube channel.
Junior Angler Breaks World Record with Massive Payara
At just six years old, Nathan “Bibil” Barreto is already making waves in the angling world! On July 8, 2024, while !shing Brazil’s iconic Juruena River, Nathan landed an incredible 11.79-kg (26-lb) payara. is catch shattered the IGFA Men’s Smallfry World Record for the species.
Nathan hooked the record-setting payara using cut bait, showcasing his growing skills as an angler. A er verifying the weight on a certi!ed scale, he ensured the safe release of this magni!cent !sh. Nathan’s actions not only highlighted his talent but also demonstrated that conservation is a value no angler is too young to embrace.
What Are Smallfry World Records?
e International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has established guidelines for Smallfry World Records to encourage young anglers. Here’s what you need to know:
• Species: Records are maintained for the heaviest !sh of any eligible species.
• Age: Categories exist for male and female anglers aged 10 years and under.
• Weight: Fish do not need to be weighed on land, as long as the weight is veri!ed appropriately.
• L ine Class: Records are recognized for all line and tippet classes covered under IGFA rules.
• Other Rules: All IGFA International Angling Rules apply, except for the standard weighing requirement.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Encouraging young anglers to aim for world record catches—or simply to submit outstanding catches for consideration—o ers a fantastic opportunity to foster a love of !shing. e IGFA’s Smallfry division plays a vital role in promoting the sport among young enthusiasts.
Taking a kid !shing doesn’t just teach them valuable skills—it can improve their lives and create unforgettable memories. Who knows? You might even help them reel in a world record!
For more information on the IGFA Smallfry records division, visit www.IGFA.com.
Braid vs. Monofilament Fishing Line: Which Is Best?
Choosing the right !shing line is crucial for success on the water. Two popular options— braided and mono!lament lines—o er distinct advantages, and your choice o en depends on your !shing style, target species, and conditions. Let’s compare their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
Braided line stands out for its high strength-todiameter ratio. Its thin pro!le allows for less drag and greater line capacity on reels, making it ideal for deep-water !shing. For instance, a 30-pound braid can match the diameter of an 8-pound mono!lament. Mono!lament, while thicker, provides added durability and is o en preferred in situations requiring extra shock absorption, such as battling !sh with sudden, strong runs.
Braid has minimal stretch, giving it superior sensitivity. is makes it perfect for techniques like jigging or bottom !shing, where detecting subtle bites is crucial. It also enhances hook-setting power. On the other hand, mono!lament’s stretch acts as a cushion during hard strikes, reducing the risk of breakage.
Mono!lament generally o ers better abrasion resistance, making it a top choice in areas with rocks or heavy cover. However, it is prone to UV damage over time, which can weaken the line.
Braid is more resistant to UV exposure but can fray easily when rubbed against rough surfaces.
Braided line’s thin diameter and lack of stretch give it an edge for long-distance casting, especially in open water. However, mono!lament’s low visibility underwater makes it advantageous for targeting skittish !sh in clear water. To counter braid’s visibility, many anglers use a uorocarbon leader.
e choice between braid and mono depends on your needs. Braid excels in strength, sensitivity, and casting, while mono shines in shock absorption, abrasion resistance, and stealth. Many anglers carry both to adapt to various scenarios or use a braid mainline with a mono or uorocarbon leader for versatility.
Ultimately, knowing when to use each type can make all the di erence in your !shing success.
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