Happy New Year "2010"
January will find us dodging cold fronts. Fish a few days before the front hits and again a few days after it passes. In the winter, timing is everything.
Now the water temperature will be consistently below 65, and most of the time around 60. St Joseph Sound will hold some of the biggest gator trout on the west coast of Florida.
Start drifting grass and sand areas in two to four feet of water. Try casting with a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce lead head w/plastic tails. Bounce them along the bottom and through the sand holes. Some of the biggest 24+ inch trout will be caught using this method. I like my plastic tail jigs to have a white belly and either root beer, dark green or new penny type color. Also, some flashy glitter mixed in helps the action.
The spoil islands will hold their share of big trout. Look for the current moving by these islands and drift along till you catch a trout. Usually there are more in the same location. Stake out the area or drift again. Once found, bring out the live shrimp or use white bait, if you can find it. This will keep the action going.
Trout Regulations: January 2010. Min size 15", Max 20". Harvest 5 per person per day. Only one over 20 inches. My suggestion, keep only the fish that will be eaten fresh. I do not freeze trout.
Redfish may be found around the same spoil islands. Look for reds to be back in the mangrove cuts, the channels and around docks. Always toss a free line live shrimp under the docks you are checking. You may be surprised.
Don't let the cold fronts give you cabin fever. Give me a call and we'll do some catch'en.
Capt Gary Burch
AllCatchCharters.com
727 458-6335