January 2013 Fishing Report


     January 2013 Fishing Report
Capt. Tucker Strickland


      Stealthily poling through morning fog and bundled from head to toe, I enjoy crisp January mornings for the chance to lay flies ahead of  swarming Redfish tails.  Chasing bear paw-sized Redfish tails rivals the daybreak duck hunts or deer stand stake-outs any winter day. With a large amount of fatties cruising our area, bringing a stronger rod is not a bad idea. Larger fish can be found in deep channels or passes. Traveling in large schools close to the bottom, these 15-30 lb fish can be caught sought through several methods. 

     Trolling is a good way to cover area; watch your bottom machine. Hook ups seem to be contagious; as one rod goes, so does another, then another until all the poles are doubled over.  Big bull reds fight like few fish.  I once had a 20lb spin rod break in the butt when it took a hit in the rod holder.  Another strategy would be live, dead, or cut bait, weighted with a 18-24'' leader; 40# test should be suffice.  When fishing on the bottom, rays, shark, and catfish can be annoying, but a good pull is always invited. If its sight fishing that gets you going, I would point you toward the flats.  Stealth and sight become vital when chasing reds in the shallows.  Although many of the fish are a bit smaller on the flats time of year, you can still bring in generous numbers and the occasional bigger fish. North winds allow ideal conditions for creeping down Florida's forgotten coastline, dutifully scouring for tips of tails, pushes or boils.
      
     If you are at it for meat, you can sink your boat with rock bass this January. You just have to fish through the grouper and snapper that have returned to replenish our seas after the big boys in the commercial boats have taken their quotas. Catch and release should be something for everyone to practice, after all, why are we all out on the ocean anyway? Two Dog, 3 Mile, or any of the the artificial reefs hold lots of fish this time of year; you just have to watch out for goliaths. Some of the sweetest whitest meat comes from the rock bass. Mercury levels of most fish under 5lbs are very low, also they are tasty when gutted, gilled, scaled and fried whole.
     
     Flounder will also be present this month, congregating offshore around structure or live bottom.  Fishing for these unique flat fish can be very exciting on light takle. Jigs and cut bait on a 20# leader can be gently bumped up and down with a few seconds of pause in between. Braided line can give you a slight advantage in feeling the bite. Fishing in the waxing phase of the moon seems to be the trick when targeting flounder. A few flat boys can be picked off the oyster bars in January but the majority will be held out in 30-40 feet of water.
      
     Black Drum and Sheepshead (AKA convict fish) are all over the beaches right now and are great practice to get on your A-game with a fly rod. However, convicts can be picky; having a few flies to switch from is key. Its all about numbers and angles when going after black drum. It may take five or even ten shots to get an eat but believe me,  there are plenty out there.