What the New Year will bring!!!!!

Happy New Year! January, this is one of those months that can be either super tough to fish or be extremely productive. This all depends on what good old Mother Nature has in store for us. Hopefully we have a nice mild January and that it isn’t one of those super windy and brutally cold ones! Well, on to the fishing report for this month.Trout fishing has been on fire for the last month, especially towards the end of the outgoing tide. Recently, on some fishing trips with clients we caught anywhere from 50 to 60 trout in just an hour or two. The key to my success is fishing pot holes or deep cuts on those big negative tides. When the fish have no choice but to stack up on top of each other, which makes for an outstanding feeding frenzy! Your best bet for putting these speckled looking fish in the boat is live shrimp or your favorite jig. Exude D.A.R.T in pearl white is by far my bait of choice. For some real early morning excitement, start off with throwing a Sashimi Pencil top water by Yo-Zuri. I prefer to throw the pencil because of the incredible action it gives and it is irresistible to big gator trout.

This month should also bring us nice increases of redfish in our local area. The last couple months have been a little slower than normal for Redfish, but should increase nicely. You will want to target these fish on high water, where they will be mixed up with the mullet. Cut bait will be your best option this time of year, unless you can get your hands on whitebait (pilchards). What you will want to do is figure out the direction in which the mullet are traveling. Once you have figured out their path get your baits out in front of them and hold on.

The offshore bite has been very consistent. Bonita and Spanish mackerel have been on fire on the local wrecks. Your best bet for getting these fish to double over your rod and make your reel scream is trolling. I prefer to troll the Yo-Zuri crystal minnow. Don’t be shocked if you hook into a smoker kingfish or even a big AJ. Bottom fishing has been producing quality numbers also. From Grouper to Amberjack with even the occasional Cobia, live pinfish and grunts have been producing the best quality fish. Just remember that Gag Grouper season is still closed and that all Gag Grouper should be vented and returned to the water quickly. With that said tight lines and Screamin’ Reels! You can also check weekly reports of my web page www.fishtampaflats.com and on facebook page fishtampaflats.