Inshore fishing has been a little tough the last couple of weeks mostly do to cold fronts, and windy conditions. Anglers aboard the Reelin & Chillin worked hard, and did manage Redfish, Pompano, Sheepshead, and Trout — great for the table. Ladyfish, Bluefish, and Spanish Mackerel also tightened lines for some great light tackle action. The big catches happened on the morning offshore trips when the winds were low. Anglers put big spawning Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, and White Grunts in the livewell. A few fish tails enjoyed aboard the Reelin & Chillin: Inshore Jon McCubbin, with daughters Allison, Emmy, and girlfriend Suzi Gamage, had a great inshore trip catching six Trout in the slot along with Suzi adding a nice Pompano to the box. Jon had a great battle with an over the limit Redfish at twenty-eight inches.

A windy day just after a cold front seemed like doom and gloom for anglers from the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club. Joe Dovener, Peter Paris, Yohan Gastaldi, and Rick Freyman headed out on this cold morning, most likely thinking it was going to be not much more than a boat ride. Well, as luck would have it, we did find a couple spots that produced fish, ending up with three Trout, and eight Pompano in the box — under these conditions this made for a great day. Offshore Bob, Linda, and Kevin Dombrowski, and Jessica Ferris on an offshore trip put five Sheepshead to 6lbs, six White Grunts, and twenty-five Mangrove Snapper in the livewell. We were fishing structure on an artificial reef around seven miles out of New Pass.

Fishing aboard the Reelin & Chillin has brought Trout, Sheepshead, Pompano, Whiting, and Redfish, to name a few species. The fronts have brought some chilly weather and windy conditions making for some slow fishing days at times, but with a little luck anglers ended up with a decent day on the water. Greenbacks have been a little hard to get, leaving shrimp and artificial as the bait of choice. A live hand-picked shrimp around structure or jigging along a grass line is effective. A Halo artificial shrimp under a Billy Bay Popping cork drifted across a grass flat will produce; I like fishing them later in the day after the water warms a little. Some anglers picked up some nice Redfish around structure in Sarasota Bay. A couple broke off, a few were over the twenty-seven inch limit, and several made the eighteen to twenty-seven inch slot. Also, Trout have been around in deeper areas near grass flats. I believe their staying deep for warmth. We found them in six to eleven feet of depth and caught them on live shrimp and Billy Bay Halo shrimp.

We also caught a fair amount of Pompano at Steven's Point jigging live shrimp — great fight, and great table fair. A couple fish tails enjoyed aboard the Reelin & Chillin: Terry and Ginny Allen worked the feeding periods to end up with a livewell of great fish by the end of the trip. At the beginning of the trip in the morning there was a minor feeding period around 9am. In a period of approximately one hour Terry landed five Trout in the slot of 15 to 20 inches. Things slowed down after this minor feed; then around 2pm the major feed arrived. We slid into an area where I had been catching some Sheepshead and picked up four in the slot, and one Redfish in the slot. Moving to a dock where I recently picked up some nice Reds, Terry got up one over the 27" limit, then two in the slot. It was a slow day between feeds, however being at the hot spots during the feed paid off very well for Terry and Ginny. Fishing just before a front, Brad Meyer and I went out for a late morning trip. We did have to fight the wind, however it was pretty nice weather for late January with the temperature at around 72 degrees.

Going into the beginning of March opens the start of Snook season, but that’s not the only fish to target. March has always been the mark for spring season; that’s when the water temperature hits that magical number 70, the weather is great, and so is the fishing. Snook- This is the hot fish for the month. Look for fish to come out of docks, creeks, rivers, and other winter homes. They will start invading the flats, creeks, and passes for one thing, BAIT. The key to having a successful trip for Snook is getting greenbacks. This can be a chore this time of year. Look for bait around bridges and markers in Tampa Bay. As far as tackle goes, I like 3 feet of 25lb leader and a #2 Diacihi circle hook. Redfish- should start to pick up towards the end of the month. Make your way on the flats as you reach the peak of the high tide. I like to target flooded mangrove lines and oyster bars. I like to use live shrimp, pinfish or greenbacks. You can’t go wrong with a DOA shrimp or Joe Hubert’s SS minnow. Trout- Are still a great target going into March. I like to target Trout when you have cold days and the Snook just won’t cooperate. This is one species that I like to use artificial over live bait. Find your favorite soft plastic match with a 1/8-ounce or 1/4-ounce jig head depending on your water depth. If want to use live bait you won’t be disappointed with live shrimp. No matter what you decide to target in March I can tell you that you will probably have a successful trip if you plan around tides, solunar tables, and weather. Tight lines!!! Captain Jason Prieto is a native resident of Tampa and has fished Tampa Bay and its surrounding waters for the past 20 years. He is owner and operator of Steady Action Fishing Charters which is based out of lower Tampa Bay. To book a charter, you can reach him at 813-727-9890 or www.steadyactionfishingcharters.com. If you would like to catch him on the radio tune into Outdoor Fishing Adventures Saturday mornings from 8am to 10am on 1040AM ESPN radio.

Offshore fishing is great on the calmer days in between the cold fronts.We are catching all the monster Amberjack we want, lots of Mangrove, Lane and Yellowtail Snappers, Porgys, Red and Scamp Grouper. Gag Grouper are out of season until March 1st, but there are lots of other fish to keep us catching all day long. Our trip on February 1st was a pre-Super Bowl party. We caught all of the above when Tom Kerney, Sr. took his son and grandsons out with me. We started out catching the big AJs and then started working on the other fish with non-stop fishing catching action.Then made it back in time for the Super Bowl; life is good. Best action is out past 120 ft. using a variety of live baits. Tight lines and good fishing Capt. Larry McGuire Show Me The Fish Charters Located at the Cortez Fishing Center, Bradenton, FL 941-720-6475

Our colder weather is not done, but the worst should be over and we can expect to enjoy some warm periods with good fishing. The best news is that fishing/catching just gets better down here, along the Central and Southwest Gulf Coast, for the next several months. Even the slumping economy has bright spots; while we have fewer dollars to play with, we have more time with family and friends get out and go fishin’ together. Every time the weather improves and the sun shines for a few days the phone starts to ring more. While much of the “press” continues to tell us the “sky is falling,” I say the beautiful blue spring sky is a sign of great things to come. Fish don’t watch TV; they just know spring is time to feed aggressively to be healthy. Snook opens the First of March locally. The slot is small, only five inches from 28 — 33 inches, but we do have lots of fish and did not appear to lose many this past winter.

Just how hungry they are now depends directly upon our water temperature. Snook start to turn on at about seventy-five degree water temperature. The bite will improve every period of warm weather. Baitfish are due soon and will help us turn on the bite. Fish stocks appear good. Redfish and Trout are moving along similar trails as the Snook and you can frequently catch any or all of the big three in the same spots now. If you start catching small Trout, move on because you are not likely to find larger fish mixed here. Big fish are cannibalistic and eat small Trout for lunch. Live minnows are great baits if you don’t have to waste too much time capturing ‘em. Lures catch their share and more, plus get you fishing right away! Cooler mornings push fish to deeper water and warmer days increase their metabolism, stimulating feeding.

Slow down when it’s chilly and be more aggressive as it warms up. Take your time and observe any surface movements to help you lock in on feeding fish activity. I frequently watch fishermen throwing too many minnows with flocks of gulls around their rigs; are you fishing or chumming the birds? I am not trying to hurt your feelings, just point out too much chum attracts birds that scare your targeted fish away! We can no longer attract fish with minnows in many favorite spots because some anglers have over done chumming and trained the birds to hang out for feed food, at the expense of their catching. Birds diving in shallow water scare feeding fish.

Sheepshead should turn on dramatically now. They are ready to bunch up and migrate toward our Gulf passes to spawn. These fish are challenging but can get dumb when they gather in schools to spawn. Shrimp work fine but fiddler crabs are better if you want to dig ‘em. Concentrate effort around structures: piers, bridges, rock piles, and oyster bars.

The Skyway piers and Fort Desoto Bay Way bridges are perfect for anglers without boats. Seek help from successful anglers; a sandwich or soda might help break the ice for introductions. Braided lines really help you feel those gentle nibbles and help prevent some cutoffs on structures. We do have liberal bag limits, but don’t keep more than you want to clean. Cleaning Sheepshead is work, but they taste great. Try diverse recipes to maximize this rare treat: being allowed to keep a bunch of eating fish. Spring baitfish and Mackerel migrations are due in my Boca Grande area any time now. They will be up to Tampa Bay soon. Sharks, Ladyfish, Jacks, Cobia, and my favorite, the Pompano will all be pushing north along Gulf beaches as it warms up. Expect to enjoy hot action in both March and April along our West Central Gulf Coast. Both Spanish and King Mackerel are abundant and offer us the opportunity to catch and keep a mess of fish to enjoy and even share. Be sure to carry lots of ice to keep ‘em fresh. Spoons and lures, “hardware,” work great; let local tackle shop staff help you rig properly and be sure to purchase extras, as you will need several of each. Use diving birds to help locate feeding schools of fish. Work with other boats to find and catch feeding fish. Troll or drift by fish not through activity. Schools of fish will concentrate near or off shore depending upon the water temps and clarity. Strong onshore cold windy conditions push fish out and Northeast offshore winds draw ‘em ashore as seas calm and clarity improves.

Tarpon will be move in soon after this migration. With the economy slowed down there may be fewer boats chasing fish, so while business could be down, catching should be better. I am looking forward to awesome action with these huge gamefish. Let’s go fishin’ soon. Capt. Van Hubbard Past President of Florida Guides Association and Winner of 1999 Mote Marine Award info@captvan.com

Fishing has remained steady for the most part this month. The lack of rain has kept the waters fairly clean and clear, maybe not so good for inland drought conditions, however it sure isn’t hurting our water any. The weather hasn’t reached low temperatures for extended periods keeping the water a little warmer for February. This I believe has kept the fishing good for a winter month. I’m not sure what’s going to happen when we do get a few good days rain. The runoff could be really bad for water conditions. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Charters have been going well for the Reelin & Chillin for the most part. We have been catching Reds of all sizes from seventeen inches up to twenty-nine and a half inches. Look for Sheepshead around docks, bridges, and other structure and on artificial reefs offshore.

A few Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, and Bluefish are hanging around passes when the tides are moving. Here are a few fish tails from recent trips aboard the Reelin & Chillin. The Tooheys (Garritt, Debbi, Peter with friend Andrew Lounsberry) picked up several Reds around structure from just south of the Siesta Dr. bridge and up into central Sarasota Bay. Also, all anglers caught a mix of Trout, Sheepshead, and one Pompano that Andrew picked up. Elvin and Nelson Martin had a fantastic double hook-up dock fishing for Reds. Both placed a nice select shrimp up under the same dock and just seconds both were hooked up. Elvin’s fish was twenty-nine and a half inches and weighed nine and a half pounds. Nelson’s fish was twenty-eight inches. Both fish were released after a quick photo.

4-Evening Public Safe Boating Course is offered by the Sarasota Power Squadron at the Squadron Bldg., 2814 Hyde Park St. January 12, 14, 19, and 21 This will run from 7 - 9 p.m. This course will qualify you for the FL Boaters Certificate. The cost is $55. Call 941-400-6467 or email albur103a@yahoo.com for additional information.

Look for large schools of Jacks in the Little Manatee River and around the power plants. Rivers act much the same as a small power plant; the dark bottom and decaying plants along the shoreline increase the water temperature and Snook are warm-body fish which seek the warmest water. Snook and Trout are hanging around the holes in the rivers and around Cockroach Bay backwaters; white bait is the trick and can be found around the Skyway pier.

Free-lined shrimp will also do the trick as long as the pinfish leave them alone. Fish the start of the outgoing tide around creeks and cuts along the mangroves. I consider them highways for the larger fish; as the tide drops they start moving into the deeper water around the tips of the mangrove islands. Artificial baits work well this time of year; remember to work them slow (slower the better), use clear color baits for clean water areas and dark baits in the rivers. Always match the hatch to improve your catch. Good fishing and tight lines. A native resident of Tampa,Captain Sergio Atanes has fished from Tampa Bay to Boca Grande for over 40 years. Owner and operator of S & I Charters, with 45 professional captains on staff, Capt. Sergio is host of Outdoor Fishing Adventures Radio Show on WGUL 860 AM radio Saturday mornings 7 to 9 AM.

It’s that time of year again, the Sheepshead are moving in. Anglers aboard the Reelin’ & Chillin’ have caught plenty around docks in the Sarasota Bay area. Inshore Redfish, Sheepshead, and Ladyfish have tightened lines. Offshore Little Tunny, Mangrove Snapper, and Key West Grunts have made it to the livewell. A couple fish tails enjoyed aboard the Reelin’ & Chillin’: Pat and Rose Bryne, with son Stewart, and daughter-in-law Liz had a fast, exciting start before things slowed down during the rest of the day. First cast to a dock in north Sarasota Bay Liz was fighting a twenty-seven inch Redfish. She did manage to get it to the boat, a great battle using only ten-pound test line. Later that afternoon Stewart landed a nice twenty-four inch Red. Donald Roupe, daughter-in-law Kim, and grandson George had a great Sheepshead run. Donald started with a Jack Crevalle to get things rolling; then he picked up a nice Sheepshead, Kim and George also caught several Sheepshead. We released several smaller fish, ending up with five nice ones in the livewell. A nice bag of skinless/boneless fillets was sent home with this crew to enjoy for dinner. Captain's Tip - Going for Sheepshead Go small on the bait when fishing for Sheepshead; they need to munch once or twice and then swallow. If the bait is too large they will have only part in their mouth when you set the hook; it just pulls the bait off the hook, you come up empty.

Here are a couple options that work for me: If I’m specifically targeting Sheepshead I will use an Arkie jig head—1/8th-ounce unpainted. I use twenty-pound test mono leader tied to my ten-pound test line from the reel. Take a regular to small size shrimp, pinch the tail off, thread the shrimp on starting at the tail—you want the jig head at the tail, and the hook coming out under the shrimp’s belly. The hook barb end should be hidden in the legs. The Arkie jib has a gold hook that matches the shrimp’s leg color. Many times I’m still targeting reds this time of year, my standard rig is ten-pound test from the reel, twenty-pound test mono leader about twenty-four inches in length, a #4 split shot eighteen inches from the hook on the leader, and a #4 MUTU Owner Circle hook. When I run into Sheepies I don’t want to take the time to re-rig; what I do is buy select shrimp for Reds, and regular to small shrimp for the Sheepshead. When I run into Sheepshead I just use the smaller shrimp, run the hook through the head starting underneath and coming up through the top of the head. The hook point should be pointing the same direction as the barb on the shrimps head. This method works great fooling the Sheepshead; the hook is buried in the head of the shrimp; just make sure the shrimp is small. You will be amazed at the size of fish you can catch on such a small bait. Tight lines & good times, Capt. Terry Frankford Reelin & Chillin Charters Inc. www.charterfishingsarasota.com 941-228-7802 terry.frankford@verizon.net

Christmas is my favorite time of the year and this is probably the best time to catch Gag Grouper, one of my favorites. As our water temperature drops Grouper move closer in for the winter and they bunch up into the rock piles, ledges, and hard bottom areas; and they have a ferocious appetite. When a big Gag hits you it’s like getting hit by a freight train. Or maybe like when “The Rock” of WWE does the smackdown on ya.That’s why I like it, because it’s a full contact sport. This week, before the cold front moved in, the offshore bite was phenonenal. We had limit catches of Gag and Red Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, Amberjacks , Sharks, Triggerfish, Porgys, and even a few Kingfish and Spanish Mackrel. Best action was in 40 ft to 65 ft. Fishing closer in gives us more catching time on our trips and we spend less on fuel; that’s a good thing. Fishing in Tampa Bay for Gag Grouper and Mangrove is also hot right now. Live and cut bait are both working great. I usually start out with some dead bait as a appitizer and then break out some live as the main course. Fishing offshore of Anna Maria Island is hot right now in the winter time. Now is the the time to come out and get ya some while its hot! Have a very merry Christmas. Tight lines and good fishing Capt. Larry McGuire Show Me The Fish Charters Located at the Cortez Fishing Center, Bradenton, FL 941-720-6475