On the Water: Cold weather makes for tough week of fishing
It was a tough and cold week for anglers as they often experienced a very slow bite and days with less than desirable fishing conditions. Early in the week water temperature dropped into the upper 50s and low 60s followed by a couple days with good weather on the heels of another front that arrived on Super Bowl Sunday.
With slow tides and cold water, inshore fishing was tough. A few redfish were caught near Pine land along mangrove shorelines and creeks in “Ding” Darling Wildlife Sanctuary while soaking cut ladyfish on bottom or live shrimp under a rattling float.
Reports of seatrout were sparse over the week with a few keepers plus undersized fish coming from deep holes around Galt Island, Buck Key, north Pine Island Sound. Trout were hooked on live shrimp under floats, shrimp and jig combinations, DOA shrimp under popping corks, and Z Man Pearl Paddlerz baits.
Sheepshead action wasn’t hot, but it was steady for anglers putting in the time around the gulf islands and passes. Fish up to 18 inches were boxed fishing live and cut shrimp on bottom. Anglers believe, long, slow tides affected the bite over several days.
Over the couple warm days with light winds, good action with Spanish mackerel came from 5 to 8-foot depths around the Sanibel Causeway and Sanibel Fishing Pier. Mackerel up to 26 inches were hooked on small silver spoons, pompano jigs and live shrimp under popping corks.
Also on the few good days, boats ran into gulf waters fishing from a few miles off the beach out to 30-plus miles. Within sight of land, shrimp fished on bottom produced sheepshead, grunts, mangrove snapper and catch-and-release gag grouper. As with inshore, the bite wasn’t hot, but steady action with patience.
Fishing depths from 90 to 110 feet limits of red grouper and mangrove snapper were boxed along with good sized lane snapper. Shrimp, squid, sardines and live grunts were the baits of choice.
Looks like we are in for another windy week. With luck it will settle down ahead of the weekend. February is always an unsettled month in Southwest Florida with fronts often bringing windy conditions.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www.fishpineisland.com; or via email at gcl2fish@live.com.
Have a safe week and good fishin’.
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years.