Reflections on the Water

Capt. Rob Modys

SoulMate Charters

When I’m asked the question about what month is my favorite one to fish, I almost always pick two; May and October. Both are transitional times of the year when the days are getting longer or shorter along with the end or beginning of the rainy season. Fish are on the move and hungry. They are usually easy to find, plentiful and predictable; the total opposite of the month of February.

Ah, February… It’s a tough one. It will sometimes make you wonder why you took up the sport of fishing in the first place. I feel pretty certain that the old saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a day and it will change,” was coined to cover February in southwest Florida.

But it’s not an impossible month and with a little time and perseverance, fish patterns can be recognized and taken advantage of. Here are a few of my observations and I have hopes that this will help you in your endeavor to master the ever changing month of February.

Let’s start with the inevitable cold fronts of arctic air that manage to make their way to southwest Florida. As the cold weather approaches, the barometric pressure begins to drop. Fish, and most wild creatures, are quite susceptible to this and begin to feed with a great deal of urgency. They are storing up energy in hopes of making it through the bad times when their food source may disappear for several days. They’ll eat almost anything that swims or crawls by and are usually less guarded about their surroundings and predators. Needless to say, it’s a great time to fish! Virtually any lure you use, such as artificial, live bait, cut bait and flies will work, and the worry of color and presentation is at a minimum. I like to go a little bigger in bait profile when fishing before an approaching cold front. Remember, the fish are trying to fatten up, so give them what they are looking for. One of my favorites is cut ladyfish. Big trout and redfish love it.

The first couple of days after the cold front are the toughest for fishing. The winds are usually blowing out of the north at 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph. The fish have left the open bays and grass flats for safer and deeper cover. They usually move to warmer water found in the bottom of pot holes and cuts. They are slower to feed because they are cold blooded and their metabolism slows with lower water temperatures and they don’t need as much food to survive. However, they will eat. My go-to post cold front bait is live shrimp. Not the big stuff; the smaller to medium ones. Use a small jig head to help get the shrimp to the bottom and then cast it into holes and drop-offs. Move it very slowly. Fish don’t want to chase bait when they are cold. You’ll be surprised at how well this works on even the worst and coldest days.

Several days after the cold front passes the waters begin to warm with the combination of sunny days and incoming tides from the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf waters are generally warmer than the bay water after a front, and the tides help deliver this water to our near shores. About 3 days after the front moves through the area, try fishing in the bay areas located close to passes and open Gulf waters. One of my favorites is the Bunche Beach area located near the Sanibel bridge. It’s pretty well protected from the north winds and has a varied bottom structure with deep water located in close proximity to shallow sand bars. As the water temperatures rise the fish will stage and feed there for 4 or 5 days before heading to their old haunts in the backcountry. They are more active during this time and will readily eat live shrimp and artificials that imitate the small baitfish found in the area. Try using a small sized Yozuri Crystal Minnow in light, bright colors.

Don’t be afraid to give February fishing a try. It’s not as simple as angling in May and October but the sport of fishing wouldn’t be fun if it wasn’t a challenge! Good luck and have a Happy Valentines Day.

Captain Rob Modys

SoulMate Charters