Everglades City
by Captain Mike Merritt
Cold Fronts, High Winds and Fishing. Many people dread the fronts that come through this time of year, and honestly, I am one of them. But I also understand how these cold fronts will get the fish to move around. They will seek warmer water and hole up in areas that offer a good food source. As an angler, if you can figure this out, then you might find some great fishing.
A good example is a recent day fishing with my son Michael. We went out on a day after a front came through, and the water temps had dropped significantly. We had a livewell full of Pilchards, and I was hopeful we might get some action on knocker rigs in these conditions. After not much happening for two hours, I decided to throw my go-to lure for winter fishing—a 1/4 oz. jig head made by Roosbaitco and a DOA Cal Tail. My first cast resulted in a Snook.
Eventually, we were both throwing jigs and used them for the rest of the day. Over 60 Snook, a few Reds, and Tarpon made for a great day. I was trying to teach my son that artificial lures can actually work better than live bait some days. It pays to be versatile. Don’t get stuck on one method of fishing, even if it has worked a hundred times before.
I also showed him the difference between making an average cast and making a good cast. We had at least twice as many hookups with accurate casts. There are exceptions to this, as sometimes when the temps are down, Snook will lay out in the sun to warm up rather than take shelter under the shade. The same way we might prefer a sunny picnic on a cold day, Snook behave similarly.
There is always something to learn if you are willing. Snook will always show you something different if you take the time to figure it out. As I’ve always said, that is part of the fun! In this world of electronics and instant gratification, fewer people seem to think this way. But for those of us who do, it is fulfilling to know you’ve figured it out.
Snook are not the only game in town. There are plenty of Seatrout, and they feed in various places. Like many fish, they gather in schools of similar age and size. If you’re looking for big Seatrout but only finding small ones, it’s time to move on. Sometimes just a short move—like shifting to the edge of the flats or the outer edge of a bar—can make all the difference.
When I was a kid, we’d have big Gator Trout come up and eat our smaller trout while they were hooked. So, we learned to throw lures that resembled small trout to catch the big ones. That was back when we had more Turtle Grass on the flats. These days, bigger trout aren’t as plentiful because they have fewer hiding spots.
We still catch 20”-24” Trout, just not mingled with the smaller ones. Look for them in deeper holes or around rock bottoms. If you’re taking kids fishing, targeting smaller Trout is a great way to keep them happy. My go-to rig is still a popping cork rigged with a 3” DOA glow shrimp. Live shrimp also get plenty of action and attract a nice variety of fish.
Speaking of live shrimp, if you want to catch Redfish, that’s the easiest method right now. Whether on the bottom or under a cork with a short leader, live shrimp will get the job done. Breaking off the tail of the shrimp can release more scent into the water, and sometimes even half a shrimp works perfectly.
Bottom fishing offers opportunities to catch Sheepshead, Black Drum, and Snapper as well. Rigging depends on water depth, current speed, and bottom type. One rule I follow is to use the least amount of weight necessary to reach and hold the bottom.
Above all, keep experimenting and adapting. Part of the fun is figuring out what the fish want. No matter what species you target, this time of year offers great variety. Enjoy the bounty and good luck fishing!
Capt. Mike Merritt
Guide | (561) 252-4324 | SnookFishing1@juno.com
