from flats to structures
Capt. Craig Lahr
January 20, 2012
Clearwater - Saltwater Fishing Report
The flats have been on fire with big trout and lots of redfish of all sizes. With the water
temps staying consistant, fish have moved to the shallower flats with broken bottoms
and potholes. What has kept these predators on the flats is lots of small whitebait.
Artificials have worked the best. The number one lure at this time has been the
Saltwater Assassin 3 inch shrimp with the color being olive and bone, and also the clear
and silver Mirrodine. These baits have produced the bigger fish.
The trout have averaged 22 inches, up to as big as 30+ inches. The redfish have been
from 14 inches to 24 inches. The larger ones have been on the docks.
Dock fishing has been very productive this month for redfish, black drum, and sheephead.
With the water temp down in the high 50's to low 60's, the fish have been around the docks
that are in off colored water which warms faster. The docks that have been holding the most
fish are those which have good barnacle and oyster growth and have mullet under them.
When fishing them use at least a 3 ft section of 30 to 40 lb fluro leader. Jumbo shrimp
with their tail pinched off on either a qt oz jig head or on a nocker rig with a qt oz bullet
weight and a 3/o circle hook has been the ticket. For artificials the D.O.A glow shrimp and
the Saltwater Assassin shrimp in chandalier isle color on a 4/o 1/8 oz Mustad peg hook has
been the best bet. The best time for dock fishing is during and after cold fronts. These
predators will find warmer water in the back canals where there is more consistant water
movement which maintains an even water temperature.
Fishing has been on the upswing, and spring is right around the corner. It's a great time
to book a trip.
Thanks,
Capt Craig Lahr and Capt. Justin Curd
Target Species:
trout redfish snook ext
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