February 2010 Tampa Bay Fishing

Can it get any colder? With record low temperatures impacting our state it’s obvious we need to change our fishing tactics just a little. If you thought that working a jig or jerk bait was boring, then you really need have some die hard blood in you. There are fish to target and catch, but it takes a little patience and skill to get these winter fish to chew. Getting a later start to the day or fishing in the afternoon will be more productive when the fish have had a chance to warm up and are a little more active.

Some of our fish population here in the upper bay got hammered by the recent cold spell, but there is still plenty around to target. The most affected were Snook and Jacks. This isn’t the first time or the last for this to happen. This is natural selection at work and in a few months we will have linesiders ripping drag off our reels once again. I just hope that all the No-See-Ums froze to death. Boy wouldn’t that be a treat.

One of the best places to find bait right now is at our local bait shops. You stay dry, no mixing of chum needed, all it takes is walking up with your bucket and telling them how many. With the weather patterns changing from one day to the next, the bait store workers can be a really good source of info on what fish are biting and the best baits to use. You don’t always need the biggest shrimp in the tank this time of year unless you’re planning on eating them or you want to scare the fish half to death. The medium and slightly smaller shrimp work just fine.

Trout

The most fishing action we’ll find right now is from Trout which don’t mind the cold water. They will however be moving a little slower, so this is a great time to break out the ultra light rods and reels to make things a little sportier. Live shrimp will be the first bait of choice since they pretty much do all the work for you. Soft plastic Jig tails rigged with a light head so that it sinks slower are next on the list. If you’re fishing in a place with current you can bump up in weight as needed. Most of the deep creeks and canals from Weedon Island north are holding Trout right now.

Redfish

Most of our reds have been caught while fishing the creeks for Trout. Using the same baits, the reds are biting along the edges closer to shore while the Trout have been coming from out in the middle of the canals. The majority of the fish are rats but we are getting a few in the slot while fishing this way for them. What they have lacked in size they sure have made up in numbers. The outer edges of the upper bay flats are still holding the schools of larger slot fish, but it will take stealth to catch them. That means push poles only unless you can handle wading for them with the water this cold.

Best of the rest

Silver Trout will be biting really good right now out in the open bay along the edges of the shipping channels. Jigs tipped with shrimp, squid or pieces of Gulp bait will catch them on just about every cast once you’ve located them. You’ll catch Whiting now as well while fishing in the same places for Silver Trout. They can be just as fun to catch and aren’t too bad to eat.

Sheepshead will be schooling up around the bridges and rock piles this month. They are another winter time favorite for anglers looking for a challenge. Once you have figured out how they bite, they will put up quit a fight once you’ve hooked one. Another benefit of the Sheepshead is that they are fantastic to eat. Pieces of shrimp, Fiddler Cards, Green Muscles and Oyster Meat are the best baits to use for Sheepies. In just a few months things will be back to normal. All we can do is to keep on fishing until then. Tight lines.