Fishing the fronts

Capt. Jim Conant
February 15, 2016
Matlacha - Saltwater Fishing Report

15 February 2016
Fishing the fronts
These first two weeks of February have been a challenge to find the fish. With what seems to be a cold front or storm every other day or two days changes up the bite of the fish. On the cold mornings I have been using shrimp targeting sheep heads, Trout and lady fish. As the day goes on and the water warms up 3-5 degrees or more then I am moving in search of the Snook and Reds while using the ladyfish as cut bait for the reds. I always start fishing structures then move to the potholes and deeper water on the colder mornings. The water quality is also a determining factor on how or where I am fishing. These last two weeks when I buy my bait I leave it in my live well with aerator on all day because the salinity level in the water is killing the bait in my live well when I run my pumps.
I am starting to see smaller bait (glass minnows) coming back into the pass and with the water temps slowly rising hopefully the bigger white bait and pins will be in soon. I much prefer to catch my bait then by shrimp. At the end of the days and hi tide the water has been reaching 72 degrees on the flats out of the wind. All my reds caught have been at the end of the day in warm water on the flats or in the mangroves.
I have been successful on every outing this month although some were a lot more successful than others and this is why. The greatest success came a day before the front or two days after the front. Fishing on the windy days after the front hardly produced and I had to work hard in finding fish, but once the water calmed down and the fish found the new normal water temp they would start to eat again. And this last week with a front every other day made it plenty tough.
Tight lines! If you're ready to go fishing give me a call to plan your trip so we can try and catch the tides right. If you're a Veteran with proof I have the best prices around and I guarantee it. I'm also on Facebook at Jimbo's Charters where I post pictures if my clients let me and my website www.Jimboscharters.com
Captain Jim
239-671-4692

Matlacha Fishing Forecast:

Expect to get better with warmer temps and less rain.

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