The annual migration of the snowbird marks the beginning of winter fishing in Southwest Florida. It seems that the temporal rhythms of Pompano, Sea Trout and Black Drum are inextricably linked with our white feathered friends from the north.
After a few minor blows followed by our first decent front in November, the “winter” fish have finally arrived. Trout have been showing up in pretty good numbers in and around the bays as well as on the outside. We’ve been using the same old stuff to catch’em up, but have found the larger “trophy” sized slabs prefer a good ole fashioned Pilchard on a Carolina Rig.
Black Drum have been making their presence known since the beginning of November. However, the bite has been getting stronger over the course of the last few weeks… I anticipate this will be the case for quite some time. We’ve been having our greatest success fishing the deeper holes and pockets w/ shrimp on a Carolina rig.
Pompano have shown up in good numbers as well. Fishing channel edges in clean water on an incoming tide with standard “pomp” jigs tipped with shrimp is the best way to get multiple hook-ups. I carry 1/8 ounce, ¼ ounce ½ ounce and ¾ ounce jigs on my boat, which allows me to fish both the weaker and stronger tidal movements.
Keep in mind that winter fishing can be tough at times. Slowing things down and fishing methodically will invariably produce more strikes. As they say… slow and steady wins the race.
