The passing of the 2 cold fronts the past 10 days resulted in a chilly affect on area waters. Plenty of action can be found in most all winter spas.

The waters surrounding the Anclote power plant act like a magnet when the northerly winds blow. Schools of jacks in all sizes ravage the flats and the ditch. Cobia to 40 pounds are riding the wings of over-sized Southern rays. Trout are staked out over plush grass and shell laden sand. Pompano are milling in the green holes and in the confines of the outflow canal. And permit went into feeding frenzies for those in the know.

Pompano are a special treat at this time of year. While we had taken pompano as far north as Green Key this past week, action is most reliable in the immediate discharge area. There is no rhyme or reason in finding these golden nuggets on any particular day. Southerly winds may find them on the flats on an incoming tide between Oyster Creek and the pier. Warming temperatures after a good shot of cold air may find them in the green holes and troughs from the plant to the Anclote River. Other times they are in the ditch. As in all fishing, nothing ever is for sure. Arm yourself with a 1/8 to 1/4-ounce brightly colored jig and tip it with a fresh piece of shrimp and go at it. These fish are hungry, we actually had a big pompano slam a slow sinking plug this week.

Permit on the other hand and more much apt to be found in the canal. Using the same rig used for pompano, we had some great action with these fish the past week. Several days saw between 15 and 25 permit taken in just 2 hours of fishing. Though the exception and not the rule, several fish in the 8 lb. were range taken. One going near 12 by lip weight.

Permit and pompano are notorious for stirring up a lot of talk in these parts. Just recently in a public forum I heard an ill-informed joker talking the talk. When it comes to fishing folks, just go. Yes there are days when the plant is not pumping and the waters are chilly. Yes the plant was pumping 74-degree water on Monday and Tuesday. Yes the pompano are on the flats. Yes they are in the ditch. No they did not bite. Yes they ate the bottom of the boat out. The only way to know when fish bite, where they bite, when the plant pumps and when it’s not is to go fishing. There are just handfuls of people who are on these waters on a regular basis. Summing up what is going on around here by acting, as a guide voyeur from a tower on Saturday mornings doesn’t get it. Further, it’s a practice that has gotten way out of control and is unjust to those who work these waters on consecutive days, weeks, years and decades. Don’t be duped by inaccurate information from inexperienced messengers who make their living on the land and report fishing information as a parrot.

Away from the blanketed waters of the plant, trout are being taken in 2 to 6 feet of water. We found some decent action on the past few trips inside of the Intercoastal Waterway in Pinellis County. Season is closed in that area until the first of the year.

Snook are piled up in deep holes inside and out of residential canals and area rivers. For the most part the are hunkered down during daylight hours basking in the daytime sunshine. Action is best at night. A Rat-L-Trap fluttering just above the bottom on either side of low tide is a patented technique for producing big fish.

Redfish can be found very shallow up against shell hard bottom and oyster bars. Small bayous that feature a swash or creek get the nod for attention. These fish can be very difficult to approach in this shallow gin-clear water. Best bet would be a pair of waders and a ¼ ounce Johnson Sprite spoon wobbling ever so slowly.

Wintertime patterns are in effect. There is plenty of action to be had on some very rewarding fish. You don’t know, unless you go!

Screaming Drags and Tired Arms!

Robert McCue