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Beating the cold for a successful day on the water is all about finding a pattern or trend that produces hungry fish, then waiting them out.
By MIKE SCARANTINO
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 13, 2001
This is not about the latest angling fashions.
As a matter of fact, if you put together a room full of anglers wearing the latest outdoor sporting fashions, how would you know who the professionals were?
This is about finding patterns and trends in order to fend off the frozen doldrums of wintertime.
When the Yankee Clipper blows down from the north, angling on the Nature Coast is all about knowing when to go, where to go and when not to go. There are days on the water fit for neither man nor beast.
With northerly winds whipping the gulf to a froth, water temperatures get so cold that the grass flats appear devoid of life. Even grouper become more sluggish and selective about when they will bite.
What's an angler to do?
Find a pattern or trend that produces hungry fish, then wait them out.
When a person first begins to fish in Florida, they do so whenever the opportunity presents itself -- no matter what the weather is doing. As knowledge and experience build, they get more selective about their sojourns into the cold.
From Anclote north, the grass flats attract much attention throughout the bulk of the year. The coastal estuaries of the gulf are home to 80-90 percent of all recreational and commercially viable species throughout their formative years.
When the cold winds blow, where do those fish go?
Some species make a beeline for the deeper reefs off shore to wait out winter's chilly onslaught. Others find small pockets of reliable warmth to hold them over.
Sooner or later, they have to eat. With a little bit of luck and a lot of knowledge, you will be there when they do.
Surface water temperatures in the gulf are near 50 degrees. In some shallow backwater areas, readings in the mid 40s have been found. Not healthy temperature ranges for most species.
Snook immediately will go into shock and die at these temperatures if caught out in the open water, and there have been reports of fish kills during this winter's bout of frosty cold weather.
Look for line-siders to hold near springs, seeps or in deep backwater holes, canals and river systems. In these places, they find more stabile water temperatures. Getting them to eat will be another matter once you find them.
During winter, snook lose their appetites and will lay sluggishly near the bottom of their winter lairs, living off internal fats and oils.
Small slow-moving crabs and crustaceans become the mainstay of the snook's diet during the lean times. Often, an offering will have to pass within inches of their mouths in order to provoke a strike. Large shrimp drifted slowly across the bottom may turn the tide in your favor.
Redfish will hide in dark-bottomed backwater bays and bayous with access to deep pockets of water.
Not as cold sensitive as snook, redfish are affected by the chill but will feed if there is an increase in the water temperature and the opportunity presents itself. Often, just a slight increase will turn their attentions to the menu.
Usually, anglers chasing these prized bronze battlers will find the best action when there has been a midday low tide on a sunny day during a warming trend.
When the water is lowest, the sun warms it slightly. Small bait fish and crustaceans will venture out from their hiding places, presenting the fish with a small window of opportunity to feed.
Live baits or artificial lures worked slowly through dark muddy areas or near small piles of rock or limestone usually will pay dividends.
Rocks soak up the sun's warm rays and radiate heat for a short period of time. In those places, it is then most of the action will occur.
Trout and Spanish mackerel become the hot topic for flats anglers during winter's doldrums. More tolerant to the cold than many of their salty counterparts, the trout and mackerel can be found throughout a larger range of areas.
Fish deep grass lines, troughs, holes, canal edges, creek mouths and river delta areas to increase your odds. Jigs hopped or worked slowly through the water column make a good offering. Shrimp free-lined with the current produces good action.
As the heat of the day rises, so will the activity levels of the fish. During the morning's cool, fish slow and deep.
For those looking to hide from the open gulf, many species will inhabit back canals -- especially if they are deep. These are good places to load up on sheepshead and mangrove snapper for alternative action.
If it's pure rod-bending action you are after, scour the flatsfor marauding schools of crevalle jack.
These brawny brutes will provide plenty of wintertime action. Even through the worst that old man winter has to offer, you always can find a few of these hardy fish to stretch your string.
Then there's the real trend-setter among anglers. The person who -- through no other reasoning than a total disdain for the dastardly cold -- finds himself sitting with a hot cup of coffee and reading the latest edition of his favorite fishing magazine.
If you have a question or comment, call Capt. Mike Scarantino at (352) 683-4868.