Winter Time Fishing Is Here
Capt. Josh Fritz
December 31, 2011
Hernando Beach - Saltwater Fishing Report
Winter Fishing Action Is Here
Old man winter has arrived with cold fronts pushing into our area each week. The water temperature will keep dropping with each cold front so fishing can get tough at times but here is a few good tips to consider for winter time fishing. When using lures such as top water plugs and soft plastic jigs work them slowly the fish can get lethargic on these cold days so the slower you work your lures the more fish you will catch. Bait fishing is all ways a good way to go in winter, live shrimp with the tail pinched off for sent and a 1/0 to 2/0 circle hook is what I use for my self and my clients. Look around the springs that litter our area the fish such as trout, red fish, black drum, sheep's head, and snook will call these springs home for the winter. Muddy bays and rocks/oyster bars will hold the warmer water temperatures and the fish will hold there as well. I all ways mention in all my reports to look for the big mullet schools, mullet schools are a sure indicator that reds and trout are in the mix of them feeding on the shrimp, crabs, and small bait fish that the mullet are kicking up. So keep those tips in mind on your next fishing trip it might help you out.
I have been finding red fish both on the inside and outside shore lines, outside mangroves and oyster bars are holding reds and the inside muddy bays and close to the mouth of creeks. Live jumbo shrimp and pin fish has been working great for the past week. Keep casting distance away so you don't spook them and hang on to the rod, size of the reds 16 to 26 inches. Trout are just all over the place, fish in shallow water 1 to 3 feet look for kelp grass and pot holes, muddy bays and rocky shore lines from Aripeka to Chazz. The mirr o lure 17MR in the 808 and 50 color are candy to a big trout, also a white mirr o lure lil jon soft bait rig with a 1/8oz jig head is putting trout in the boat. If the trout are picky throw out a live shrimp on a popping cork that will do the trick. Size of the trout 18 to 26 inches. Black drum and sheepshead are in pot holes and close to the springs, use a small 1/0 hook and a live shrimp for bait. Get a pack of frozen shrimp to chum them up. Flounder are being caught on just about each trip this week with jigs and shrimp.
Book a trip fishing is great just got to work around the cold fronts.
Tight lines
Capt. Josh Fritz
www.chasentailsfishingcharter.webs.com
352-345-9304
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