Week of January 17: Cooler water means black drum, bull redfish and sheepshead
Today’s (Thursday, Jan. 20) forecast calls for clear and sunny skies, a high of 74 degrees, SE at 5-7 mph, and 1-foot waves. No rain is expected until Friday afternoon.
Our fishing guide, “Snookman” Wayne Landry reports that last week’s blown-out weather yielded to cleaner water and cooler temperatures Thursday through Saturday, drawing in cooler water species usually found this time of year.
Snookman says he saw plenty of black drum being caught on cut clams as well as dead and live shrimp at the North jetty.
“Most of the fish were between two and five pounds, and a lot of those caught ranged between 20 and 50 pounds,” he says. “Most of these large fish were being caught on the evening tides on the tip of the jetty, a few during the daytime. Also being caught were the large ‘bull’ redfish, most 20 to 30 pounds on cut baits, jigs and spoons, on the outgoing tide.”
Sheepshead are also back, most ranging between one and three pounds and caught on live fiddler crabs and cut shrimp, Wayne notes. He adds that bluefish are being caught on the tip of the jetty during the outgoing tide, while Spanish mackerel are biting small jigs and spoons on the ocean side of the jetty.
Winds have churned the water at the South jetty and fishing is slow, but anglers are catching small flounder along the rock wall and in the surf pocket area. You might also land catfish, sand perch and whiting using cut shrimp.
Fishing is slow at the T-dock area, but bluefish are possible for those throwing large silver spoons on both tides.
Winds have clouded the surf on both sides of the jetties, so action is scant, Wayne says.
“Winds will be mostly offshore this week, so expect it to clean up some,” Wayne says. “Since it is cool enough — 67 degrees — the pompano might show up again. Also, I’m hearing reports of sharks being caught in the surf for those throwing large live baits or big chunk baits.”
“Light winds and cool temperature this week are reasons enough to pack a lunch, hit the bait shop and go to your favorite fishing or ‘chillin’ spot to enjoy crisp air and Florida sun,” Wayne says. “Tight lines, everyone.”