Harsh winter conditions have limited the amount of time spent on the water along Florida's Space Coast reports Captain Keith Mixon (www.mixinworkwithplay.com). In the past week, strong winds and cold temperatures have made it nearly impossible to fish. With this in mind, I was still able to find a few fish near spoil islands inside the Thousand Islands.
A few black drum and redfish were caught along mangrove shore lines with deep drop offs when using gold spoons or a free lined live shrimp rigged on a circle hook. Several of the black drum that were caught measured twelve to fourteen inches with an occasional larger fish. The average length of the few reds caught was just below the legal limit of eighteen inches.
In addition, several sheepshead were caught near barnacle covered pilings and other structure. A small jig tipped with a piece of shrimp has worked well for these sneaky eaters. The average weight of these fish has been three pounds.
This weekend temperatures and conditions should improve. As this happens, anglers should look for redfish in two to three feet of water along the flats. Many of these fish should be willing to feed on live shrimp when hooked weedless.