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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST EDITION

TROPHY TROUT

@CAMTAMagazine

LOCAL REPORTS & PICS

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FEBRUARY 11-15, 2026

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VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 370

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F R A N C H I S E

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

A V A I L A B L E

JANUARY 2026

W O R L D W I D E

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Nearshore Grocery Shopping TIM BAREFOOT

anuary marks a shi! in fishing targets, with a focus on species ideal for winter meals. This month traditionally finds anglers pursuing seabass and other nearshore fish, following a tradition passed down from my dad, who favored seabass and flounder for their taste and suitability for freezing. Seabass are not only delicious but also keep well in the freezer, providing a reliable food source throughout the colder months. Flounder, prized for its flavor, remains a favorite for many. While seeking black seabass close to shore, anglers o!en encounter gag grouper, grey trout, and flounder. However, many of these species have strict creel limits, with retention o!en prohibited in regions like North Carolina. To avoid catching undersized or barely legal seabass, using larger bait on a jig is recommended. Live pinfish—ideally the size of a tennis ball or baseball—make exceptional bait. If you have access to a marina’s fish cleaning table, pay attention to discarded scraps, as these can help attract

2 NATIONAL

JANUARY 2026

pinfish. Setting a pinfish trap or using finely cut scraps to chum and cast net for pinfish are effective methods for securing live bait. This technique is not only excellent for larger seabass but also irresistible to gag grouper. The same structures that attract seabass also hold baitfish such as cigar minnows, sardines, and small snapper. When anchored or spot-locked over structure, keeping a Sabiki rig ready can be invaluable. Keep one person in the boat constantly on the Sabiki providing live baits for the rest of the boat. This will certainly pay dividends. Be mindful of state and federal regulations of what you can and cannot keep, but this tactic catches everything on the reef without exception. The thing I like about pinfish is everything down there will give a live sardine and a live cigar minnow a fatal attack, but only the critters with a large enough mouth and a bold nature will go a!er pinfish or small snapper. The goal is not to catch a hundred fish, but to land a dozen high-quality bites—those worth taking home for dinner. Anywhere south and north of North Carolina, flounder is still on the menu for dinner, and a jig paired with a live cigar minnow is the ultimate flounder catching instrument. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so, but if you take light tackle to some of these nearshore seabass holes, you will lose fish to powerful gags. For nearshore flounder and grouper, opt for heavier tackle—a grouper stick equipped with a four-ounce jig and live cigar minnows or sardines. The other byproduct of this style fishing will be large drum, which tend to congregate on nearshore structure. Don’t be surprised to catch seabass, flounder, gags, and drum in the same spot. Also don’t hesitate to take chunks of crab or sand fleas for sheepshead. January is a winter wonderland, so make the most out of your nearshore grocery shopping by being prepared for all the possibilities. Learn more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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he flat was silent. No birds. No bait popping. Only the crunch of frost under my boots and the faint ripple of tide against the shoreline. Every sensible voice in my PHO TO COURT ESY OF KN head said the fish wouldn’t OCKIN TA IL LURES® feed. Then the line jumped—just once— and everything changed. For those who chase speckled trout of larger proportions, one truth becomes painfully clear: big winter trout do not give themselves up easily. Cold water slows their metabolism, feeding windows shrink, and mistakes multiply. Most anglers default to the winter mantra—slow everything down. It’s solid advice… but it isn’t the whole story. Winter trophy trout live in a world of conserving energy. They don’t want to chase far, but they will react violently to the right movement at the right moment. That’s where two tools come together: erratic presentation and precise timing. Let’s start with timing. Like many anglers, I once dismissed solunar tables as folklore. As a kid, I’d scan the fish symbols on the calendar before every trip. More fish meant higher hopes. Fewer fish meant lower expectations. Over time, I saw no real correlation and abandoned the idea. But as I matured into a better saltwater angler—and began truly hunting trophy trout—I returned to solunar tables, this time paired with tides and conditions. The difference was undeniable. These tables aren’t magic. They won’t put fish where they don’t exist. But if you are on fish, they o!en reveal when those fish are most willing to feed. Many anglers assume the “major” bite is always better than the “minor.” Not true. The difference is duration, not intensity. The major typically lasts about two hours, the minor closer to ninety minutes. Either can be explosive. One rule I never break: don’t relocate during a feeding window. On a recent trip, I was grinding through a slow morning and nearly moved on. I checked the time—ten minutes before the bite. I stayed. What followed was an aggressive feed that turned a dead stretch into a trophy-class opportunity. Big trout don’t feed o!en. When they do, you’d better be ready. That brings us to presentation. In winter, I rely on suspending and slow-sinking lures with erratic, nervous action. When I say “slow,” I mean forward movement—not motion. With a so!, whippy rod, I shake the lure in place with almost no forward travel, then let it pause. Shake. Pause. Repeat. This technique works best with braided line, which transmits every movement without stretch. Winter trout may be cold—but when timing and motion align, they don’t just bite… they attack. The strike comes without warning. No tap. No thump. Just sudden, heavy weight and the slow, head-shaking surge of a true gator. In that moment, frozen fingers, long quiet hours, and doubt all vanish. There is only tension in the line and the knowledge that patience, timing, and the right dance delivered the fish you came for. And that’s why we brave the winter. Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures,® and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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FEBRUARY 11-15 • MIAMIBOATSHOW.COM

Islamorada Women’s Sailfish Tournament Jan. 30-Feb. 1

Go for the Gold! Islamorada, FL Keys. Win trophies, a gold sailfish pendant and a crown! Meet the other anglers! Fish your own boat or reserve a charter slot when registering.

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SAILFISH

Tourney Season

inter in south Florida brings an awesome collision of ballyhoo and sailfish that makes for some of the best fishing of the year. It’s also the time of year for some of the richest and most fun tournaments. If you’re interested, right now is the time to register. Here’s a list of some good sailfish tournament events: JAN. 5-7, 2026 2026 Silver Sailfish Derby Sailfish Marina, Singer Island westpalmbeachfishingclub.org JAN. 9-10, 2026 Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament Islamorada • fishforholly.com JAN. 14-18, 2026 Operation Sailfish

Leg One of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series

Sailfish Resort & Marina, Palm Beach www.bluewatermovements.com

JAN. 20-24, 2026 Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament Buccaneer Marina Resort, Riviera Beach buccaneercup.com JAN. 23-25, 2026 Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament 2nd Event of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship

Cheeca Lodge, Islamorada www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com

JAN. 20-21, 2026 Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament 3rd Event of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship

Whale Harbor, Islamorada www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com FEB. 18-22, 2026 Sailfish Challenge

Leg Two of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series

Three checkpoints: Miami, Pompano Beach, West Palm

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COASTAL ANGLER North Central Florida/Nature Coast

JANUARY 2026 EDITION

Find Your Outdoors Here!

Cary & Lynn Crutchfield

North Central Florida Nature Coast Staff

ALACHUA, CITRUS, COLUMBIA, DIXIE, GILCHRIST, LEVY, MARION, SUWANNEE

Cary Crutchfield

JANUARY

s I write tonight, late December 2022, we are finally getting some cooler temps. I don’t like cold-cold (below freezing) but a little cooler this time of the year is very welcome. Obviously, due to lack of rain north of us, my river is very low. It consists mostly of spring water right now. Also, I am not seeing very many anglers. This month’s recipe is Sheet Pan Shrimp with Asparagus and Potatoes, a complete meal on a foil-lined sheet pan. This dish would be great for guests. You can place everything on your sheet pan and keep in your refrigerator until you are ready to cook, and then, enjoy dinner in only 10 minutes. I wish that I had thought to add sliced green onions and/or parsley to the potatoes. Next time, I will try grouper, or chicken. Winter fishing can be a challenge, but if anyone can help you, it is our NCF/NC guides. In our world famous FREE magazine, they share very helpful and timely information. If you need more help or want to schedule a guided trip, give them a call. Maybe you want to share a fishing experience or thank them for a little tip that you found helpful. They would love hearing from you! You can now pick up the North Central Florida/ Nature Coast edition of Coastal Angler Magazine at Our Place Pizzeria and Ristorante in Lake City, Sun Stop in Trenton, Lake City and Cross City, AgPro and Love Power Equipment and Rental in Chiefland, David’s BBQ in Gainesville and Ace Hardware in Branford. Look for more Suwannee County locations soon. Please check with your medical professional about staying up to date with current vaccines. Stay smart, stay well and STAY ALIVE! On January 1, Cary and I will celebrate 25 years of partners for life. Yes, we married on Y2K. May 2026 be the best year of your life! Enjoy every precious day.

Lynn Crutchfield Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida/Nature Coast

SALES

EDITING & PRODUCTION Lynn Crutchfield

GRAPHIC ARTS & DESIGN Kathleen Stemley

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Kevin McCarthy Noel Kuhn Capt. Jason Clark Capt. Katie Jo Davis Capt. Tommy Derringer Capt. Andrew Fagan Capt. Jonathan Hamilton Capt. Dallas King Capt. Pat McGriff Capt. Brent Woodward

CONTACT INFORMATION

crutch@coastalanglermagazine.com 352-542-0356

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Local Fishing Forecasts Monthly Recipe

Photo by: Suwannee River Water Management District

SHEET PAN SHRIMP WITH ASPARAGUS AND BABY POTATOES

Thank you to The Crab Plant for the shrimp. Visit their Fresh Seafood Market or enjoy Cooked Seafood to go. You are welcome to sit at their table and view beautiful Kings Bay while you enjoy your delicious, freshly prepared meal, watching manatees, dolphins, pelicans and boats. Or, you can carry it home; your choice. Open Tues-Thurs 10:00-5:30, Fri-Sat 10:00-8:00. 201 NW 5th St. Crystal River 352-795-4700.

DIRECTIONS

INGREDIENTS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. • Extra Large Jumbo Shrimp shelled and Place the potatoes in a deveined saucepan. Add water to cover (6 to 8 per serving) and cook until tender. COOKING DIRECTIONS • Asparagus Rince and dry shrimp and (1/2 pound per serving) place on foil lined sheet pan. • Baby Red Potatoes (Foil is your friend!) (2 per serving) Break the tough bottom • Salt and Pepper ends off the asparagus. Rinse • Olive Oil and dry the tops and add to • Garlic minced sheet pan. • Lemon Juice Drain potatoes. Let cool a few minutes and place on • Parmesan Cheese grated sheet pan. With heel of your • Panko Crumbs hand, smoosh the potatoes flat. • Butter Drizzle olive oil over all, and • 2 Hard boiled eggs sliced season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the minced garlic and lemon juice over the shrimp. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the shrimp and the asparagus. Sprinkle panko over the shrimp and potatoes. (At this point, you can add any seasoning that you like, such as red pepper flakes.) Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and asparagus is crisp tender. Serve the asparagus and potatoes with a little butter. Add more Parmesan if you like and place the sliced egg over the asparagus. This dish is about as fast and easy as it gets, and clean-up is almost nonexistent! Lynn Crutchfield, Co-Publisher Coastal Angler Magazine of North Central Florida 2 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

JANUARY 2026

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FLORIDA WATERWAYS Cypress Knees By Kevin McCarthy

irst-time visitors to our Florida rivers are sometimes surprised at seeing woody conical growths along the waterways, growths that are called “Cypress knees” (Taxodium). They are usually root outgrowths from the horizontal roots of cypress trees, outgrowths that are usually above the waterline. Botanists have long speculated about the purpose of such formations, By Dr. Kevin M. stating that they may McCarthy ventilate the roots, provide an aeration system for the soil and bases of the trees, and maybe accumulate nutrients. There used to be the Cypress Tree Museum in Palmdale, Florida, which is in Glades County. One of the pictures included with this article shows a man, possibly Tom Gaskins (1909-98), with some of his many samples. Like with many similar collections, the photo shows some polished examples of carved knees. One can still find roadside markets that sell such examples, including table tops and ornamental coffee tables. Workers would dig out the knees, steam them, peel them, and then polish them to a satiny finish. Scientists tell us that the knees have been in North America for at least seventy million years, dating back to the Upper Cretaceous Age. Sometimes mistaken for termite mounds, the structures can actually rot and become hollow. The Suwannee River is a particularly good place to see the knees, one of which reached the astonishing height of fourteen feet. Such knees are usually found in wet soil and in shallow water. Some scientists speculate that the knees will grow on roots that are exposed to alternate conditions of water and air. The pictures here are from Wikipedia or the Florida State Archives. Readers may have some examples of knees, for example in terrariums or aquariums. Left alone in the wild, the knees will catch sediment and reduce erosion. The knees are often found where bald cypress and pond cypress trees grow, for example swamps, marshes, and along the edges of waterways. Some think that the knees provide oxygen to the submerged root system of the trees. While a number of collectors harvest the cypress trees, it seems that newer growths will replace that which is harvested. Some scientists think the cypress knees may help

Close-up of the knees

A bald cypress with knees

A carved cypress knee

Collecting cypress knees

Cypress knees in a Florida swamp

Cypress knees along a river

the roots absorb oxygen and can also help anchor the tree in the soil. But they are pretty sure that insects do not cause the trees to form the way they do. Despite their appearance, cypress knees are not caused by termites or other insects. They are natural outgrowths of the tree's root system. Conservation-minded boaters will let the knees alone rather than cut them for their personal use. One can hope that generations of boaters on our Florida rivers will continue to be amazed by these remarkable growths. Kevin McCarthy, the author of “Suwannee River Guidebook” (Amazon, 2009), can be reached at ceyhankevin@gmail.com.

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JANUARY 2026

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 3

INGLIS/YANKEETOWN

new year and a new bite! January is an exceptional time of year for inshore fishing here on the Nature Coast. Redfish, trout, sheepshead and drum, will all make their special appearances slot during these days. Inshore the redfish bite remains steady. A live shrimp does the trick back in the creeks. The big trout have been plentiful and a small paddle tail under a popping cork or

N a q8 shrimp has been the ticket. Nearshore, the sheepshead bite remains excellent! Big fish on all of our nearshore structure and a lot of fun on light tackle. A 1 oz., lead 20 lb. leader and a 2/0 hook baited with a live shrimp gets the job done year after year! Ebb Tide Guide Service Capt. Andrew Fagan | 352.818.8927 Instagram : @capt_redfishdrew

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ow it again! winter fish fro beginn nearby 5 to 40 (found start w a drop to the 3 nestled great re can exp snappe The creeks, I typica nearby be bigg The along t are seek sun hea

KATIE JO’S NATURE COAST ADVENTURES

ow that we are through the holidays, it is a great time to focus on fishing again! We have had a rather colder winter already, but that doesn’t stop the fish from biting. January is always the beginning of the sheephead spawn on nearby rocks and wrecks, anywhere from 5 to 40 feet off the coastline. Public reefs (found on Google) are a great place to start when targeting these fish. I utilize a drop rig with two 3/0 circle hooks tied to the 30-pound leader. A small shrimp nestled perfectly on the hook will provide great results. In the same areas, you can expect to catch hogfish, mangrove snapper and grunts. The seatrout will be pushed into the creeks, rivers and along deeper channels. I typically look for bait fish in these nearby areas, which tells me there should be bigger fish lurking around with them. The red and black drum are found along the shallower oyster bars, as they are seeking warmth from the rocks, as the sun heats them up during the day. I

try to utilize a much softer approach with a 3/0 circle hook and a size “1” split shot weight, just atop the eye of the hook. This allows distance for casting, but keeps the bait drop in the water a bit quieter than a large jig head. Wintertime fishing can be a bit challenging, so I choose to fish a little more aggressively, meaning I give a spot about 15 minutes, and if I don’t get a bite, I’ll move, often returning to that same spot a couple hours later, perhaps once the air gets warmer or the water level gets higher. One thing I do like about wintertime fishing is finding new rock areas to fish. The low tides during the winter allow me to find rocky areas that I wouldn’t normally see on a summertime low tide. These are the times I often correlate hunting with fishing, which makes the fishing that much more fun! Captain Katie Jo Davis KD OUTDOORS FiSHING CHARTERS 772-882-8932 www.fishcrystalriverflorida.com

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JANUARY 2026

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 5

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JANUARY 2026

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JANUARY 2026

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 9

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appy New Year anglers! What better way to start the new year than with having these great water temps in January. The trout are still heavy on the flats and the reds moved just into the mouths of the creeks. Trout have been pretty easy to target on either tide swing. Three to four feet of water seems to be ideal for the best bite and all I have been using is popping corks with paddle tails. Reds seem to be stronger at the top of high tide along with the start of outgoing. With the cooler water

temps, I've switched from mullet to shrimp for bait. I’m using live shrimp directly under a popping cork with a 1/8 jig and like every winter, that really seems to do the trick! Well y'all, until next month. Stay safe out there! Capt. Jason Clark In The Slot Fishing Charters 352-639-3209 www.intheslotfishing.com

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JANUARY 2026

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 11

HORSESHOE BEACH

s you are reading this, it’s a new year and I hope everyone enjoyed 2025. Fishing has been great, sometimes needing to travel to find the right circumstances, but getting it done none the less. Redfish and trout are gonna be holed up on deeper cuts, channels and potholes probably til March, but still plenty catchable. If your boat allows try to find these spots on the lower tides, they are more congregated then, but also easier to find the spots I’m

KEATON BEACH

Bert Deener with a nice black sea bass.

rout were good before these last two fronts kicked 'em in the teeth. Once the water temps get below 55, and stays there a few days, it takes a referring to. To be honest we are in full blown while to get a decent bite back out on duck season as well, and it’s been a the flats. Sure, the guys beating the creeks are catching fish, but it ain't great one to start. Droves of wood rocket science there. ducks, blue bills and buffleheads Fish smaller baits super slow. That and redheads have shown up to would be my tip of the winter, either in winter and make our home their or out of the creeks. Assassin builds an home. Elite Shiner we have been doing well Give us a call for any of your fishing and hunting needs and until with lately, and I would choose some of the darker colors like Houdini, next time, Keep it Reel Native! Golden Bream, Watermelon Red ReelNativeFishing.com glitter and a few more. Some of those 352-284-5514 same colors in the Assassin P&V have also taken good trout and reds lately. Add Watermelon Slice and Chickenon-a-Chain to those colors above, and you might be almost ready for January at Keaton Beach.

If you can choose your days, go three days after a cold front and let the “Blue Bird” skies help to warm the water in the afternoons for three days, then you might get a bite. I would stay close to ditches, troughs and channels in January and of course, near creek mouths. Fish as light as you can cast and as slow as you can work your lightest (1/8 oz, or 1/16 oz.) baits. Winter can be a grind, but with the right warm-up and it can be on. I will be fishing for Black Sea Bass if I go in January. Meanwhile, Let's Go Fishing! Pat McGriff dba One More Cast guide service for 33 years! www.onemorecast.net onemorecast@gtcom.net cell: 850.838.7541

Johnny Jackson with a good trout in the fog. 12 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

JANUARY 2026

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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 13

HOMOSASSA

appy New Year! I can’t believe we are already in 2026. Crazy how fast this past year went by. 2025 was a great year for me and my family. We expanded the business this past year with the addition of the offshore boat and the new website with online booking options. But, I’m really looking forward to some bigger news coming in 2026! Stay tuned for that. I appreciate everyone who fished and hunted with me this past year and I look forward to this year being even better! Now, on to business. January can be a fun month to get out on the water and catch some good table fare. Cold fronts should start dropping down more frequently. The east winds and winter low tides can make for some tricky days on the water, but those conditions can make for good fishing in the river, and you don’t have to burn much gas! With the Gulf temperatures cooling, look for the main rivers to produce good fishing for the next couple months. For snook, try straight jigs with Mirror Lure Lil Johns, DOA 5.5 CAL in glow and Mirror Dines for good bites along deep rocky points with good moving water. These fish will sometimes find good ambush points and be there in numbers as well. These same spots will also produce nice catches of snapper, drum, redfish and sometimes trout. Fishing with live shrimp rigged on a jig head or a knocker rig will keep the rods bent. Also, look for big schools of Jacks in the river. You won’t miss their aggressive top water action! There will be some trout in the rivers, while some trout I believe go offshore in the winter months. The ones who do stay inshore, will transition from the river to the river and creek mouths, based on water temperatures. So, if its mild, try the yellow hard bottom areas around the creek mouths. Popping cork rigs or J

CRYSTAL RIVER

appy new year! I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and enjoyed the holidays with friends and loved ones. January can be some of the toughest, and also the most rewarding fishing on the Nature Coast. For me, skinny water back country fishing around the fronts is what created the most incredible fishing, that rivals any other time of the year. I utilize my mud boat to get into holes on the flats and creeks during the extreme winter low tides to find fish. Sometimes this can create those “fish in a barrel” type situations. Redfish will hole up on the extreme negative tides and will love a shrimp or mud minnow presented slow. If you have a shallow drafting boat, finding the redfish on the flats tailing is an intense adrenaline rush. Use your eyes on days before a cold front pushes through, to find them. A gold spoon, fly line, or even a free-lined shrimp will help trigger the bite you’re after. Trout will continue to push east as the water cools. Big cold fronts will push them towards our shallow creeks as well as upriver into the bay. Deep pockets in the river with an outgoing tide can produce quality trout when the water temp is low. My favorite Capt. Stump, Jonathan Hamilton bait is a live shrimp on an 1/8-ounce 352-403-2073 jig head. Bounce it down the river www.stumpnation.us rocks with the tide and hold on. On warmer trends this month, find the trout around creek mouths in 2 to 4 feet of water. A mirrodine is one of my go-tos for these two fanged critters, fished slowly, almost as slow as you can stand it. Sheepshead is a fish we tend to have all winter long in droves! As they come in to spawn on our shallow rocks, they will also be looking to feed. You guessed it, a shrimp on an 1/8-ounce jig head in shallow water (10 feet or less) or a knocker rig with heavier lead weight and 2/0 hook for deeper water over the rocks, will get

hooked DOA Cal will produce bites. If it’s really cold, then look for trout in the main river, concentrating around deeper holes. In between cold fronts, those “blue bird days” can make for great sight fishing for reds. I like to target flats close by the creek mouths of St Martins, Little River and Mason Creek. Small low profile bait fish flies will do the job. I like top water flies as well this time of the year. Even though grouper season is now closed, the nearshore rocks should start seeing Sheepshead move in from offshore and bring great eats to the table. Shrimp on a jig head will be your go-to. Remember to pay attention to your wind forecasts and tide tables. This time of the year is very treacherous in our region. I like to reiterate that this time of the year, we see a lot more boat/ fishing traffic in the river. There is a reason why, because its good this time of the year. Please be courteous to boaters who are on the hook fishing. You are responsible for your wake. I hate to see boating mishaps that really could have been avoided… As always stay safe,

14 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

JANUARY 2026

your target. These fish are spawning this time of year, so I try to tell my customers to only keep five per person instead of eight. This will help ensure we have a good sheepshead fishery for years to come! Captain Dallas King Pirate Flag Charters and Tours 352.601.8460 www.pirateflagcharters.com www.crystalriverfishingpros.com

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NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST 15

ST. AUGUSTINE

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ast month, the bite was on fire because our water temperature was dropping FAST! As of my writing on 12/7/25, we were in the low 60s already. See photo from SST Rutgers. That is my go-to web search for sea surface temperature. This tool will be very important if the water temp drops below 60. Because at that point, our surf and pier fishing will end. Some species will go east and deep for warmer water. The rest will head south for the same reason. At that point a road trip will be necessary to catch up with the Pompano. Another useful tool is the app WINDY. This is a great tool for wind speed and direction. During these cool winter months, calm winds are a whole lot better than a 10 to 20 mph Nor’easter. It can be a dramatic difference between 15 mph at Little Talbot and 5 mph at Crescent Beach. Just do a little homework before you head out to the beach to make your day a lot more enjoyable. If you want to fill the cooler with great tasting Whiting, downsize your offering. Normally, I fish 2/0 circle hooks. For these next two months, I drop down two sizes to a #1. Also, I reduce my bait size from

the size of a nickel down to the size of a dime. One of my favorite wintertime Whiting baits is little chunks of Whiting. It stays on the hook really good, and when it is on, they cannot resist it. A variety of baits in your cart can also make a difference. Pink shrimp flavor Fishbites, fresh shrimp, live clams and small crab knuckles all work really good too. No beads or floats on a Mortician rig is my goto. I tie mine with a 50-pound main line and 30-pound snoods. If you have a chance to attend a seminar on the beach this winter, this year I will be in Jensen Beach Jan 24 and 25, Vero Beach Feb 7 and 8 and Melbourne Mar 21 and 22. To sign up, please visit www. outpostacademy.com and scroll to the bottom for the correct dates. These seminars are sponsored by Guy Harvey and limited to ten anglers per class. See you on the beach! Tight lines. Noel Kuhn 43 years of surf fishing experience, surf fishing guide and long distance casting coach. Founding member of Florida Surf Casters club. 904-945-0660 www.TheSurfAngler.com

16 NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA/NATURE COAST

JANUARY 2026

his time of year, the early bird (or fish in this case) doesn't always get the worm... January is such a great month to fish (especially for redfish) and being able to sleep in a little longer than usual can be nice. There's no need to get on the water super early this month as the fish will be chewing better after the sun gets up and the flats start to warm up a bit. A mid-day low tide this time of year is a Northeast Florida angler's dream come true. Redfish were schooled up in December, and they should continue to be schooled up this month. Low tide is the easiest time to find those schools. Look for flats with dark colored bottoms and creeks with an abundance of oyster bars. I’m hoping for a dry, cool winter as all the rain we had late this summer and fall still has the water somewhat stained from the tannins. If it does stay dry and we get some colder air and water temps the water will start to clear up, giving us the opportunity to do some sightfishing. As of report time the water is starting to clear up as we’ve had some cool nights... being cold is no fun but it makes for some awesome fishing! Even if it doesn’t get crystal clear you can locate schools of redfish by looking for "muds" or small fleeing baitfish and shrimp. Don't worry if you don't own a super shallow water skiff, these fish are still accessible. Most decent size creeks in the area have small "flats" on their banks on extreme winter low tides. Use the trolling motor to work slowly as far back as possible in the creeks while eyeing the banks for cruising reds. One very important piece of equipment for this time of year and sight-fishing in general is a good pair of polarized sunglasses. I prefer Bajio

Sunglasses with a copper or amber colored lens. You'll be surprised how much of difference a good lens can make. The quicker you can spot the fish the easier it is to catch 'em. My favorite baits this month are small soft plastics like a Saltwater Assassin paddle tail or a live shrimp both paired with an 1/8-ounce jig head. The reason I prefer the 1/8 ounce or even a 1/16-ounce jig is they make less splash when casted and with the clearer water we should have right now our reds can get a little spooky. This is also a great time of year to bust out the long (fly) rod. Many a redfish and even a few sheepshead will fall to small shrimp and crab pattern flies. Being able to see the fish before you cast makes fly fishing that much more exciting and rewarding. Slot sized black drum should be a good bet this month in the deeper creek and ICW holes. Fresh dead shrimp or sometimes even better, a fiddler crab fished on the bottom will do the trick. Black drum have smallish mouths and tend to be subtle biters so make sure to wait until you feel the fish swimming away before setting the hook. Speaking of fiddler crabs and light biters, the sheepshead bite was great in December and should continue to be good through the next few months. Target area bridges and pilings with fiddlers, oyster crabs, or small shrimp. If you're feeling a little sportier look for sheepies on the flats feeding on oyster bars. It seems like sometimes every oyster bar you pass by this time of year will have a few munching away just waiting to be caught. Capt. Tommy Derringer www.InshoreAdventures.net 904-377-3734

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uckily, I have never personally been seasick, but I can con!rm that when it gets someone, they look like they legitimately want death. Watching people board the boat in the morning full of personality, and quickly turning into a quiet, helpless version of themselves breaks my heart every time. It’s funny, I’ve taken people !ve miles out in flat calm seas and watched them turn green within an hour, while others can ride out a choppy twelvehour sword!sh trip without a single grimace. Seasickness, or motion sickness, isn’t about toughness. It’s about biology, and knowing how to outsmart it can mean the difference between the trip of a lifetime and one you’d rather forget. At its core, seasickness is your brain throwing a !t over mixed signals. Your inner ear, which controls balance, feels the constant motion of the boat. Your eyes, however, might be locked on the deck or a smartphone, telling your brain that you’re not moving. This mismatch can confuse the body enough to trigger nausea, cold sweats, dizziness, and that unmistakable “I need the rail” moment. The good news is that you can do a lot to keep it from happening, or at least keep it from ruining your day. Start the night before. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is showing up tired, dehydrated, and with nothing in their stomach. Lack of sleep makes your body more sensitive to motion. Drink plenty of water the day before and have a balanced dinner, nothing too greasy or heavy. And go easy on alcohol, nothing gets people

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon faster than being hungover. Eat before you board. An empty stomach is not your friend at sea. Eat a light breakfast with complex carbs and protein; think a bagel with peanut butter or scrambled eggs with toast. Skip the spicy breakfast burrito...you’ll thank me later. Pick your spot wisely. The closer you are to the boat’s center, the less movement you’ll feel. On smaller boats, this often means staying near the console or midship. If you’re anchored or drifting, facing into the wind can help you get fresh air, and fresh air is one of your best allies. Whatever you do, don’t lay down and close your eyes, no matter how much you’d prefer to be in the fetal position, this is your enemy. Keep your eyes on the horizon. Your inner ear is telling your brain you’re moving, and your eyes need to con!rm it. Locking your gaze on the horizon gives your brain consistent information and can stop the mixed-signal meltdown before it starts. Avoid the downward spiral. Once seasickness takes hold, it can be hard to shake. If you feel that !rst wave of queasiness, act fast. Get to fresh air, keep your head up, and focus on a !xed point.

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water temperatures. Since Florida lakes, where I’m located, are shallow and cool down quickly PRO ANGLER JOEY BLOOM in the wind, I spend extra time searching for protected areas—canals, marinas, or creek arms—that retain warmth longer. Even a slight increase of a couple degrees can spark !sh activity. I’ve often seen a quiet stretch come hen a powerful cold front sweeps a shaky head or Texas rig along alive after the sun heats it up by midday. across your location, bass !shing grass lines, letting Bait Cave’s lifelike action do If you’re !shing grass-rich lakes, concentrate conditions can shift dramatically the work. That realistic movement and high- on dense vegetation near deeper water—look overnight. A reliable shallow bite can vanish by for hydrilla edges, reeds, or mats. These zones the following morning as water temperatures trap heat and provide bass a sense of safety. I plummet, skies clear, and previously gentle love flipping a Bait Cave Customs creature bait south winds turn into chilly gusts from the into that thick stuff with a heavy rod and braid, north, stripping warmth from the lakes. staying alert for subtle bites that follow a cold Consistency as a bass angler hinges on knowing front. how to adjust your approach after these fronts As the day warms and the barometric move through. pressure stabilizes, don’t rule out reaction baits. My !rst reminder after a cold front is A suspending jerkbait or lipless crankbait can simple: the !sh haven’t gone anywhere—they’ve entice suspended !sh that aren’t chasing much just changed their mood and location. Most else. largemouth bass dislike cold, high-pressure Cold fronts can be humbling, but they also weather, so they slide off the banks, tuck tighter teach adaptability. Every front is a learning into cover, or suspend near feeding areas. opportunity. Be patient, trust your instincts, Recognizing these subtle changes can turn a and use your con!dence baits—my favorites challenging day into a productive one. are Bait Cave Customs soft plastics and the Returning to productive spots after a front, gear I pick up from Copper State Tackle’s new I slow down and target slightly deeper water. Inverness, Fla. location. If you’re near there, If I had success with moving baits in two feet check out their shop—they have everything you of water before, I’ll now !sh four or !ve feet need to stay prepared for any conditions. deep with more subtle lures. This is when I rely on my con!dence baits—especially the Joey Bloom is a 2024-2025 National Professional soft plastics from Bait Cave Customs. Their quality construction make a big difference Fishing League Tournament Pro. Follow his stick baits and !nesse worms are essential for during tougher bites. fishing and fun on Instagram, Facebook, my cold-front strategy. I’ll drag one slowly on Another important tactic is seeking stable and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.

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NATIONAL 7

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hat you really need to cure those winter blues is a little sun and sand, beaches and rainforests, music and culture, food and fun. And no place delivers the rhythms of the Caribbean quite like St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. ST. THOMAS: St. Thomas’ location near an undersea canyon makes it one of the best places in the world to catch massive !sh—we’re talking up to 350 pounds or more! Inshore, offshore and deep-sea !shing charters like Offshore Adventures and Double Header Sportfishing offer half or full-day excursions into waters teeming with blue marlin, yellow!n tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi and more. Or if you’d rather combine a little work and play, Virgin Islands Sportfishing can customize a trip that includes plenty of !shing, plus a place to stop for cocktails to celebrate your big catch. For an adventure to remember, book a trip to Coral World Ocean Park, where you can scuba dive or swim with dolphins, sea lions and turtles. (Guides are provided and no certi!cations are required). The park’s 5 acres also include aquariums, outdoor pools, nature trails and other marine experiences. The littles on your list will never forget a trip to the hands-on Pirates Treasure Museum, where kids (and kids at heart) can steer a virtual pirate ship through a storm, learn all about submarines

and even search for pirate booty — before scoring their own pirate-themed merch in the museum gift shop, of course. ST. CROIX: The outdoors and history blend beautifully on St. Croix. Thrill-seekers can fuel their adrenaline rush with a ride on the Carambola Zip Line, which delivers a heart-pounding 200-foot vertical drop before racing 2,500 feet across a lush tropical valley. You can also explore some of the island’s more remote reaches on a two-hour Gecko’s Island Adventures guided ATV tour through trails and forests you simply can’t access by car. These treks require a sense of adventure combined with a little grit, but the stunning views that await are oh, so, worth it. Those wanting a more relaxing vacation will love exploring St. Croix’s historical towns, where you can wander among buildings that haven’t changed much in hundreds of years. All of the exploring will work up quite an appetite, so be sure to book a tasty food tour while you’re here! Companies like Virgin Islands Food Tours or Taste of Twin City Food Tour will help you eat and drink your way around town, while a Christiansted Sip & Savor Mixology Class teaches guests how to make three signature cocktails mixed with local Cruzan Rum and tropical ingredients. ST. JOHNS: Don’t be fooled by the smallest of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands. St. John

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THE ULTIMATE OUTBOARD MOTOR ®

FIND A DEALER NEAR YOU TODAY! 5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY applies to qualifying purchases of Suzuki outboard motors sold and delivered to the retail purchaser, for pleasure (non-commercial) use only, from April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2026. See Suzuki Limited Warranty for additional details. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. © 2025 Suzuki Marine USA, LLC. All rights reserved.

Coastal Angler Magazine | January 2026 North Central Florida / Nature Coast Edition