JANUARY RECAP
Relentless seas and missed forecast kept everyone near shore most days. Our incredible fishery of giant red drum and sharks really have saved those of us in the charter business for months now. Even for those who have their own boats and want a easy fun day. This fishery is truly is a incredible gift we have in our back yard that has allowed us to have fun even when the Atlantic tries to tell us NO.
Tripletail have been going off with catches in double digits both in quantity and quality. Sheepshead one after another along every structure in the port with a few pompano and black drum rounding out the near shore action.
The few days we did get offshore the king mackerel fishing was ok and some cobia being caught off the reef and hard edges in 60ft. The Ocean Obsession II has been doing well off the bottom in 9oft with nice catches of mutton snapper, mangrove snapper & lane snapper.
NEARSHORE FISHING
If you have any combination of North & West wind you can get to the red drum & sharks no matter what the seas are forecasted. Fishing for them is as simple as a sliding sinker rig using a circle hook and a big chunk of bait, throw the anchor, set the rods in the holder, crack a cold beverage and wait.
Sheepshead and pompano will remain strong for those fishing along the jetties and inside the port. Sand fleas have become very accessible over the last few years at bait stores and are for sure the go to bait to target both sheepshead and pompano at the same time.
We will see the water temps creep right into the cobia zone on any given day. Hard edges just offshore or around the shoal will be prime area to look for cobia in addition to absolutely being able to lay the smack down on the smaller triple tail. First and second day after a hard blow will be prime hunting. Manta rays are also very common along the beach this month so make sure you are ready.
OFFSHORE FISHING
Happy New Year (again)! I can’t wait to kick off 2020 with some great fishing! I am pretending January didn’t happen and giving 2020 a clean slate. I am not sure how much longer the near shore action can bail us out & save charters. I am very thankful for the bailout but let’s plan on getting more days offshore this month.
Be ready for EVERYTHING this month when you are heading offshore because any combination of opportunity’s will be in the mix and only being prepared will let you capitalize. Sailfish green water and hard edges can produce a killer day. Teasers and dredges will increase your odds at getting these fish in your spread so have them ready along with a dozen ballyhoo. Black fin tuna, wahoo and even mahi are very possible when you are willing to burn the fuel to find prime trolling areas.
While you are in the deep be ready with squid for vermilion snapper and live baits or vertical jigs for amberjack. If planning a day of deep drop fishing for golden tiles watch your bottom machine for those Aj & vermilion marks from 160ft out to 300ft so you have a backup plan just in case deep dropping is poor that day and no strong edge gives you a better out.
The main ledges such as Pelican, 8a, Pines,etc will all produce killer catches while live bait trolling when the water cleans up. You just need a clean green so don’t expect to find blue water in 100ft this time of year. King mackerel will be dominant but cobia, black fin tuna and sailfish will all be possible. The bottom fishing for mangrove snapper and mutton snapper can be very good but you have to know how to fish for these snappers. You can be on a great bite and if you don’t know how to correctly present your bait you will not catch them.
I will try to do a couple bottom fishing seminars this month & next month for those wanting to better their bottom game. I will post details on our FB page and in the comments under this report.
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