The water temperature has been ranging from 58 to 60 degrees, although the past few days it has risen to 66 degrees! I've heard several reports of reds and trout hitting topwater lures, which is very unusual this time of year. We're due for some cold weather this week, which will probably end the topwater fun.
The sheephead are biting fairly well on both fiddlers and live shrimp fished on 1/8 0z. jigheads along the jetty rocks. Some are good size and all are excellent table fare. Whiting are biting in the surf and on the pier on fresh dead shrimp.
Slot and rat reds are in the creeks and ICW. Slot and oversize reds are at the jetty tips. All will eat a jig and shrimp or minnow worked slowly. Down size your lures in the colder water.
There are some quality speckled trout around, but the small ravenous bluefish often get to your shrimp or lure first. Most trout in the creeks are too small; fish the river for larger fish. The sliding float with live shrimp works best. Lipped diving lures are effective worked around docks.
The weather is unseasonally warm. I heard reports of dolphin(fish) caught 20 mi out of St Augustine, and snook and even a small tarpon caught in ICW creeks. None of these species are normally caught here in January.
Tight lines!
CAPT Bob
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Captain Bob's Fishing Charters,Inc.
http://www.captainbobsfishingcharters.com
