January Cold Weather Fishing
Capt. Woody Gore
January 10, 2010
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
It's tough on us crackers trying to get a bite going when the ambient temperature is in the 30's and water temps in the 40's. Still some fish are eating to stay alive and mostly on shrimp. Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead, and Snapper should be our targets.
I'm not going to mention anything about snook fishing this month, because we'll probably loose several thousand to the extreme cold water temperatures. Hopefully, we'll not experience another kill, like the one in 1990, when low temperatures caused the death of more than 60,000 snook.
The season is closed and as more cold weather looms on the horizon and we can expect a lot of disoriented snook around the area. They will bunch up in deep water or anywhere with warmer water temperatures. In colder water, they will be lethargic, ganging up to float close to the surface, over muck bottoms. Although many appear dead, lying on their side or back; they may still be alive and only be stunned.
It's our responsibility not to disturb those affected by the cold. Leave them alone as they may revive when the sun brings the water temperature up.
It's also our responsibility to report cold-killed snook. If you see dead snook, please record the date, time, number of fish, conditions observed, and GPS coordinates, if possible; then go to http://research.myfwc.com/fishkill/submit.asp to report your observations. You may also call Ron Taylor's office at 727-896-8626 extension 1510.
Tampa Bay Fishing Forecast:
Cold-Cold-Cold Hopefully, it start warming.
Target Species:
Redfish, Trout, Mackerel, Grouper, Snapper, Sheepshead
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