Fishing this February has come with some challenges. We have seen some pretty severe cold fronts here at the beginning of the month. The water temperature in some areas has definitely affected the fish. Today, while on a charter, I witnessed some tilapia twirling around in the water, and some of them were on the bottom, dead. They seem to be really cold-sensitive. This tells me that we got really close to a larger fish kill. Hopefully, this does not happen, as the forecast is at least a little warmer.

High winds have been another issue when planning your fishing trip. Today they kicked up to 20 mph. These high winds, coming from a northerly direction, have made running around here on low tide a real challenge. I do believe this past week I witnessed the lowest water level in Chokoloskee Bay that I have ever seen in my 51 years of running my own boat around. Separately, any one of these things can make fishing tough. But when you combine all three, you have an extreme challenge!

Despite these challenges, we have been catching fish. Fishing the deeper rock holes for sheepshead is a great way to get some keeper fish that is great eating. These guys will cooperate even when the water is cold. Mangrove snapper are also in a lot of these same holes. There are tons of small ones right now, but they will be the right size by March. You never know what else will come up out of the rock holes — goliaths, redfish, and even some big trout.

The key right now is shrimp. Live shrimp is all you need to have an action-filled day. Cut them up for the sheepshead and snapper so they can’t steal the bait so easily.

Redfish and black drum seem to respond better to a whole shrimp. When I am fishing specifically for them, I use a whole shrimp and sometimes just pinch the tail off. I believe this makes it easier and faster for them to pick up the scent. Whether you fish on the bottom or with a cork just depends on depth, bottom structure, and current. Sometimes switching back and forth keeps the bite going longer.

Today, for example, my clients caught a black drum and then a redfish on the bottom. Then nothing happened. The current was slow, so I had them switch to a cork with a live shrimp, and they caught a couple of snook and another black drum. Same spot, different tactics, and a variety of fish. So don’t get stuck using just one tactic or one type of bait all day. Unless you are willing to live or die by that, it is always best to switch things up when the bite slows. This goes for artificial baits as well as live baits. Sometimes it’s just the proper presentation that triggers a bite.

If the weather changes and things warm up this February, we should see some good fishing. Snook in the backcountry are usually very good in February. Seatrout are usually the biggest of the year. And big tarpon usually show up. You’ll notice I said usually, because one thing I never do is try to predict the weather. I will leave it up to the professionals to get it wrong. We just take what we get and make the most of it.

As the old saying goes, a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work. For me, they are all good. I hope you all find some good action and enjoy some fresh fish.

Good Luck fishing!

Capt. Mike Merritt