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Back to winter fishing mode

Posted Feb 15, 2012 by Tribune Sports

Updated Feb 15, 2012 at 01:46 PM

BY RAY MARKHAM

A week ago, air temperatures were hitting the 80s and fishing was on the brink of moving into a spring pattern for many species. But with the cold front that blew in over the weekend, major changes in temperature did just what it was expected they would do. Fish shut down in most areas and the bite tapered off to a trickle. It’s not that no fish would eat, but only those that were found in areas where warm water pockets existed, were among the ones that would feed. Warm areas were in the mid-60s early in the week, but lows were found in the mid-50s, and fish in those cold areas had lockjaw.

Trout would eat in the morning, but they would only eat exceptionally slow-moving lures like a CAL Curly tail jig or a DOA Shrimp. The most productive color seemed to be night glow with gold holographic glitter, (#309). The Curly tail jig’s flexible tail will move with even the most subtle current. But the most natural presentation of them all has to be with the DOA Shrimp. This lure looks natural just sitting on the bottom motionless. No movement of this lure can give fish the impression that the small crustacean is just trying to hide on the bottom by blending in with its surroundings and not moving. A slight twitch of the rod tip will slightly hop the lure off the bottom, and as the lure slowly sinks back to the bottom, most fish will eat the lure on the fall. This is where the combination of a sensitive rod and braided line couple to produce hooked fish.

Anglers reported an early morning bite on redfish, but my observations were totally the opposite. Reds in the Terra Ceia area preferred to hang in the shallows until the water warmed up, and then feed around mid-afternoon.

Ray Markham runs the Flat Back II out of Terra Ceia, specializing in fishing with artificial lures, and can be reached for charter at (941) 228-3474.