Right now the inshore bite has been pretty steady and we have had a great week of action, but the coming weekend’s weather is going to mess that up a bit for a brief period. This past week we have seen lots of sheepshead, decent numbers of snook and redfish and plentiful trout. Pompano are showing up in the area too and should only get better through the early spring time. Keep in mind with the incoming weather I would suggest focusing on sheepshead through the later part of the weekend and the start of the coming week before shifting back to the redfish, snook and pompano after the start of the coming week behind the big blow this weekend.
Snook fishing has been best around the mouth of the bayous, rivers and up in the bays but we are seeing snook hanging tough in the passes even with the cooler temps. The past few days we have even had snook hanging around the dock lights and bridges like they do in the summer time, however, the numbers are just much less impressive. While back in the bay where water temps are more regulated and water gets warmer during the day in the shallows there are definitely higher concentrations of snook hanging out. They are taking the slower moving artificial baits, shrimp and live pinfish right now pretty well.
Redfish action has been steady lately around the back bay and upper bay waters around the mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, residential docks and canals too. They love the smaller pinfish, shrimp and cut baits. However, they will take the slower moving artificials like the gold spoons and soft plastics working slowly around the structures and shorelines. Especially up in the shallows when the water is moving we are finding the best redfish cooperation.
Trout bite very well this time of year. During the day we find them biting best across many areas but especially around the edges of the flats, potholes up on the flats. At night we are finding them best around the structures and lights of the passes at night but residential dock lights where water is moving hold plenty of trout too. Live shrimp or white bait are the best ideas for trout this time of year or slow moving artificial lures that mimic what these guys are eating best.
Sheepshead fishing has been very easy lately especially around the docks, bridges, jetties, piers and seawalls through the areas. They love the small pieces of shrimp, cut clams or oysters, fiddler crabs, and also barnacles too. They are right on the structures so when you are targeting these fish you got to make sure your bait is right on or very close to the structures as well. Often lighter tackle and minimal weights are best to target these great eating unique looking fish that love cooler, murkier waters. However, we do catch them almost anytime this time of year when the waters are cooler.
