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Abnormally warm winter is confusing to some fish

Posted Jan 31, 2012 by Tribune Sports

Updated Jan 31, 2012 at 03:17 PM

BY RAY MARKHAM

This winter has produced some record warm temperatures. Water temperatures on the flats in Terra Ceia this week reached 72.2 degrees some afternoons. This is more typical of the water temperature in March or April.

Sheepshead should be preparing to spawn over the next month. The next full moon should find these fish getting very fat and many will spawn on this full moon or the next. But for the most part, I’m seeing fewer fish than normal. What I am seeing more of are flounder, Spanish mackerel and bluefish.

Trout are scattered on the flats, because water temperatures are not so cold. North winds this week have blown much of the water off the flats and forced fish into the holes. During cold weather, you’ll find trout in deep holes and, on occasion, if those holes are on the edges of a shallow dark mud bottom flat, trout will move up shallow to feed.

Trout favor shrimp during winter. A couple of months ago, they were eating scaled sardines and pinfish. Most baitfish leave the bay during winter. Because of this, the DOA Shrimp has produced more trout than most other lures I use now. Jerk baits are effective for trout. The MirrOlure Lil’ John, CAL Jerk Bait, and the Exude D.A.R.T. are all very productive for trout, but they will also take flounder, redfish and even sheepshead and black drum.

Redfish are still working the shallows on mud flats in the upper 60-degree water, something they would do even in 50-degree water. Reds seem to be acting as if it’s winter, even on warm days. These warm and cool days move fish and make them indecisive, leading to tough days of fishing, but for the fish, I’m sure they are wondering what season it is.

Ray Markham runs the Flat Back II out of Terra Ceia and can be reached for charter at (941) 228-3474.