Cold Weather Tactics
By CAPT. BILL MILLER
Every year, winter’s cold, rough weather makes for a challenging period of inshore fishing. I usually target areas that are protected from the wind. In places like residential canals, rivers and creeks and the leeward shores of coastal islands fish enjoy calm, relatively clear conditions that are good for feeding.
For wintertime warmth, fish head to spots like power plant runoffs, deeper flats (3-8 feet), and deep holes. Residential canals, dredge holes and coastal creeks are especially popular because their dark mud bottoms hold the sun’s heat and provide fish with cozy accommodations. Canals are one of the top winter scenarios because houses and trees break the wind, while deep water holds stable temperatures.
When you’re fishing in residential canals, you’ll often find snook sunning themselves right up next to the seawall during midday. Seawalls, as well as wooden docks transmit heat from the land, so fish gather close to absorb as much warmth as possible.
At night, snook, trout and other canal fish will feed around dock lights. When casting to visible fish, I like live shrimp, free lined or hooked to a small 1/8- or 1/16-ounce jig head, DOA Shrimp, small jigs (bucktail or plastic) and glass minnow flies also work good here.
Another tactic that is not used much but is very effective is trolling in residential canals. Use lures like the 6-inch Tsunami Swimming Minnow, Rat-L-Trap or Yozuri Crystal Minnow or the like. Silver is my favorite color. Pull lures close to docks and boat hulls to draw out fish hiding in the shadows.
At the power plants, look for the warmest water you can find. Keep in mind that the plume of water, especially on an outgoing tide, can be a good ways from the actual outflow area. Pompano, permit, cobia, trout, redfish, snook, ladyfish and jacks are all common power plant catches. Drift the area with jigs or live shrimp until you find the fish and then anchor to work your spot.
On shallow flats, snook, redfish and trout will gather in the deepest depressions for heat and protection from predators. A dark colored 1/16-ounce jig is very effective here. When fishing deeper holes, I use a heavier jig (1/8 or 1/4-ounce) to reach the bottom faster. During the colder months, work jigs very slowly. Lethargic fish won’t chase a lure very far, so just barely bounce jigs along the bottom.
Wherever you fish in the wintertime, the best part of this season is that you don’t need to get up so early. When it’s cold out, you always do better after the sun comes up and warms the water some. So sleep late, bundle up, and then go catch your dinner.

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