The mild climate of Florida winters allows for year-round fishing opportunities. With average water and air temperatures in the low to mid 70s, Florida is the perfect winter location for a saltwater sport fishing trip or inland lake or river excursion. Many native and exotic fish make Florida waters their home, but in the winter, these fish are the ones to catch according to the Florida FWC:
Red Drum (aka Redfish): One of Florida’s most popular sport fish and the state’s most widespread tidal inlet fish. Floating a live shrimp under a popping cork is a good way to fish for redfish. They also chase crabs, mullet, pinfish and killifish (mud minnows). Casting soft-bodied jigs, spoons and even top-water plugs will catch their attention. In winter, redfish are found in seagrass, over muddy or sand bottoms, or near oyster bars or spring fed creeks.
Snook: With a sloping forehead, black lateral body line and divided, high dorsal fin, Snook can reach up to 50" in length. Snook inhabit inshore coastal waters, including mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds, beaches and around structure, and they orient themselves to face moving water and wait for prey to be carried downstream. Use live pinfish, small mullet, shrimp, or sardines free-lined or fished off the bottom with a fish finder rig. Snook make excellent table fare and are rarely served in restaurants due to Florida's ban on their commercial harvest and sale.
Spanish Mackerel: Found in large schools around coastal Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, you can identify these fish by their irregular yellow spots and greenish-blue back. Although frequently found over grass beds and reefs, they are absent from north Florida waters in winter. Spanish mackerel are aggressive feeders that will strike a wide variety of natural and artificial baits, making them easy to catch. You can identify their location by trolling or watching for birds diving on baitfish, which often indicates that mackerel are forcing the bait to the surface. Try trolling or casting with small shiny spoons, dusters or jigs.
Tarpon: With a size of up to eight feet and weight up to 300lb, Tarpon are powerful fighters found in the warmer waters of South Florida during the winter months. Tarpon are not suitable for eating but are challenging to catch! They can be caught on flies, streamers, floating and diving lures, jigs, live bait and dead bait.
Bonefish: Bonefish are silvery in color with a bluish or greenish back and slender body. They are inshore fish inhabiting shallow waters over seagrass flats and occasionally over white sand. The state record was a 16lb bonefish caught near Islamorada. Live shrimp or jigs tipped with fresh shrimp are the best baits for these fish.
Sailfish: One of Florida's most recognized saltwater fish, the sailfish can grow up to eleven feet long and weigh up to 220lb. Its name originates from the greatly enlarged first dorsal fin that runs almost the length of its back. Blue runners, pinfish, mullet, scads, ballyhoo and squid attract cruising sailfish. Sailfish are known for their fast runs, acrobatic jumps and head-shaking attempts to throw a hook.
Sheepshead: Also known as the convict fish, sheepshead have prominent teeth, and a small body covered with vertical black stripes. They inhabit coastal waters near structure such as oyster bars, seawalls and in tidal creeks and move nearshore during late winter. Use live shrimp, sand fleas or fiddler crabs on a small hook fished on the bottom.
Tripletail: Found in bays and estuaries to offshore waters as well as near buoys and channel markers, tripletail have the illusion of three tails due to their elongated dorsal and rear fins. Use a live shrimp rigged underneath a popping cork to catch these delicious fish.
Don't forget to keep your boat's bilge clean and dry if you are using your boat this winter! A clean, dry bilge eliminates boat odors, mold, mildew and corrosion. Winter offshore fishing could mean a rougher, higher sea state, leading to increased sea spray and bilge water.
The BILGE-B-DRY winter sale is happening until the end of December! All BILGE-B-DRY products and accessories are 10% off with promo code HOLIDAY24 at checkout. Tell your boating friends, neighbors and family!
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