Hey Guy's,

      Well here we go again with another cold blast from the north. The good news is after this one there isn't another cold front in site for at least 7 days. The weather men are saying it should warm up to the mid 70's by the weekend and this is just what we need. I really don't know how long it will take for the water to warm up enough to bring the bait in from off shore but I don't think it will take to many days in the 70's to make it happen. This really could be the beginning of spring over the next couple of weeks. It is really hard to say what our spring will be like after such a cold winter but my guess is that when it happens it is going to happen very quick. I know the king fish are holding up around Ft. Myres and are just waiting to head north. This should make our king fish season as good as we have seen in a long time. As for the inshore fish, the red fish are all over the place as well the trout and They should all bunch up as the water warms and the bait shows up. We have been catching quite a few reds around docks as well sheepshead and trout with some black drum mixed in however, I am seeing red fish all over the place up on the flats but they are not bunched up. There are a lot of them and good size ones and the one day I was able to catch bait it was no problem getting them chummed up and feeding really good. The trout were the same way so I know that as soon as the bait gets here the fishing will be game on. Berkley Gulps have been the bait of choice for the trout and reds but the trout have really been active when using the gulp. Here is the key, if it is sunny out any Gulp in Glow will get them every time but as soon as it gets cloudy you have to switch to New Penny. I have seen this for several years now and this year is no different. I have found that the 3" shrimp tail works good but the 5" Jerk Shad works even better especially for the bigger trout. There is really no special way to work them other than slow down. I have been telling my guy's that if you think you are working them to slow then slow down more. These baits are amazing and all you have to do is toss it out there with a 1/4 oz. jig head and just gig it every now and then. I have been drifting flats in 3' to 6' of water over good grass and as soon as someone hooks up I drop the anchor and work the area. After a few min. if the bite slows down I just pick up the anchor and start drifting again. This has been most productive since the water coming in from the Gulf is so churned up. The fish have been moving around to find clean water and this is the second tip. If the water isn't clean, move. Clean water is crucial when fishing for trout. As for the sheepshead just stop and get some shrimp and work any structure and if there is good hard bottom around the structure then it can be even better. I have been using a #2 circle hook with 20 lb. leader and a slip sinker above the swivel. Remember that shrimp don't swim very fast or strong so if you notice your line getting tight there is probably a convict fish on the other end. Also keep in mind you don't need big shrimp. Don't waist your money on hand picked shrimp for sheepshead because they would really rather have the smaller ones. Until next week keep your fingers crossed that spring will kick off this next week or so.

Sincerely,

Capt. Shawn Crawford

941-747-3856