Fishing Tips and Techniques
This section of the Florida Guides Association website is devoted to increasing our readers knowledge base for fishing. Whether you target snook, redfish, trout, tarpon or any other species - freshwater or salt - you will be able to pick up some useful techniques from our Florida Guides Association member guides who contribute to the knowledge base.
| 01 January 2012
Winter on Florida's Space Coast is not
defined by any specific seasons, but by the temperature variations
and winds created by passing cold fronts. 
These variations are
subject to change from year to year, and they are impossible to
predict. Average daytime temperatures usually range from the 50's in
the morning to around the 70's by afternoon. Likewise, water
temperatures average in the upper 60's, but they can drop as low as
the 50's during extended periods of cold weather. On warm sunny days,
water temperatures can increase as much as four degrees on the
shallow flats and sandbars. All of these factors greatly affect
species targeted and methods used.
On the lagoons, redfish and sea trout seek the warmest water they can find. Start out working the deeper edges of the flats in the morning and then move into the warmer wind protected flats around mid-day to late afternoon. An early start is not required this time of year. Additionally, both redfish and sea trout love to warm themselves in the shallow water sand pockets "potholes" within the grassy flats. On colder days, focus your attention on the deeper holes using a very slow presentation. When targeting redfish and trout in these deeper holes, I prefer using shrimp imitation baits like DOA, or GULP shrimp in the clear or nightglow colors fish extremely slow. Other species encountered in January are black drum, flounder, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish. Also, January is one of the best months to target tailing black drum on the flats, especially in the Banana River "No Motor Zone". Both live shrimp and blue crabs are the preferred bait for black drum, but they will eat both artificial and fly when presented properly.
Inlet fishing should be good in January weather permitting, with Sebastian proving to be the most productive. There are still some reports of flounder moving through the inlet. On the inside of the inlet, look for good numbers of pompano, ladyfish, and jacks to be present on the flats both north and south of the cut and in the area of the monument. Also, January is the month when the jumbo reds move in and feed in the mouth of the inlet during the last part of the falling tide. These monsters are brood stock, so please handle and release them with care.
Near-shore, January is the month when the tripletail become consistent on the Port Canaveral buoy line and their numbers will increase as the month progresses. The other hot ticket near-shore is king mackerel holding along the 70 to 90 foot reefs of North Pelican and 8A. Weather permitting; bottom fishing on deep structure should remain consistent. Look for snapper, cobia and sea bass in depths of 80 to 140 feet, and grouper and amberjack along the 22 fathom ridge and deeper.
In closing, make a commitment to share your your time on the water with family and friends, and be sure to sign them up for the 3rd Annual Shad and Crappie Derby.
