Florida Fishing Report: Florida Fishing Charters

Limit catches of gator trout are typical winter catches.

Trout are the bread and butter species in a cool winter on the inshore scene.  School size fish will mass in the deeper water of the Intercoastal, particularly around drop offs and structure. Their habits are simple. On cool nights and immediately after cold fronts, the fish drop deep into the insulation of deeper (slower to cool) water.

On warm days and warming trends, the fish rise onto the shallows and structure to sun. Generally speaking, bigger fish tend to mass in the backwaters and school fish often remain just off the Intercoastal (naturally there always exceptions to this rule).

Snook, reds, sheephead, black drum, mangrove snapper, and jacks are nestled inside the rivers, residential canal systems and rivers at present. It looks like an actual winter so far, so for now, they will remain. On Indian summer afternoons and on the top of the tides, reds will follow right behind the trout seeking heat and pilfer some grub. Traditionally, rocks will hold fish over grass in winter.

No winter report would be complete with a mention of the “plant”. When Igor has flicked the switch, the powerplants (and adjacent waters) can offer some of the most phenomenal fishing there is for jacks, permit, pompano, bluefish, ladyfish, and trout. Naturally when Igor is not scheduled to work---its about slow as molasses. There have been some good bites this year---but some luck with good timing has been critical.

The shallow water grouper bite had just got started before the big drop in water temps. Seemed it was going to actually materialize this year. It was short lived. Now nearshore, many of the “cracks” are loaded up with grass grouper, grunts and sheepshead. Not the end of the world, but a little longer run is now required for better quality fish. On the upside, many have acclaimed it as one of the best grouper cycles in several years.

Big pompano often prowl the plants and surrounding flats in winter.

“Deep Sea” really is not my bag. But when the bite is on, the fish are inside of 50 feet and the seas are reasonable, it is hard to ignore the best bottom fishing in the state right out my back door.

2002 was another great year for me. I am very fortunate in many aspects of my life. I am most fortunate to experience and too, have total recall, in all the times I have spent with quality people and the sea. Old friend’s and new faces alike----Thank You.

Happy Holidays and All the Best in 2003!

Screaming Drags and Tired Arms!

Robert McCue