by Capt. Matt Mitchell
Back-to-back cold fronts brought us the coolest conditions we have seen in 4 years. Although I am far from a fan of these cooler temperatures, brief drops in water temperature will do wonders to put the fish in their usual winter places. With a warming trend over the next few days, things should quickly level out.
Shrimp have become the bait of choice for the past few weeks for all our targeted species. Even during the coldest periods of winter, a chunk of shrimp will catch fish when nothing else will. In these cold conditions, think “low and slow,” meaning soaking a chunk or slowly moving a live shrimp across the bottom. In cold water, most fish simply are not as aggressive and don’t want to chase a fast-moving or large bait.
Deeper water channels, holes, and pockets will hold lots of fish during colder water periods.
Sheltered mangrove creeks will offer a wide variety of species and can be much warmer than the open, exposed bay. Pinch points and bends in these creeks with faster-moving water often mean non-stop action. Some of the narrowest creeks in the way-back mangrove estuaries are amazing winter hotspots. During low tide, the fish become more concentrated in these areas and have to move out of the mangroves into the channels. Exploring the many mangrove creeks the sound has to offer, with a little help from Google Earth, is a good way to find these special places.
During these colder days, don’t worry so much about getting out on the water early; going during the warmest part of the day is a better idea. Often, fish will be more active and feed better in the middle of the afternoon as water temperatures peak. High sun also warms the shallow water, and redfish, snook, and trout can be found sunning in super shallow water. Areas with dark, muddy bottoms work like solar panels and are set up to find large groups of laid-up snook trying to get warm.
Although I complain about the cold, we are very lucky to be able to fish year-round. Having the right gear to be on the water during these cold periods makes a huge difference. It’s always a smart choice to wear lots of layers, as running across an open bay and then stopping to fish in a sheltered sunny mangrove creek can mean a temperature swing of over 20 degrees. Gloves and windproof gear make all the difference in the world. No matter where you’re from, 60-degree days on the water are cold. Dress appropriately to enjoy your fishing trip.
