3 minute read
Ebb & Flow
Catching Cold
By Trey Leggett
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Trrey's fellow Hobie fisherman Kevin Kelly with a nice red. Photo by Kevin Kelly
Irose from a good night’s slumber and made my way through the quiet morning to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. Mmmm … the aroma of freshly brewed Arabica beans, and the crispness of the air, were refreshing and helped to clear the sleep from my head. I let the dogs out for their morning duties and stood there on the back porch listening to the world wake up. Birds were chirping, squirrels were running about, and a very light breeze stirred my senses. I thought to myself, “yes, it’s February, but it’s going to be a mild day, in the 60-degree range with sunny skies. Instead of the normal honey-do list or organizing my fishing tackle, why don’t I go fishing?”
To make an obvious statement, we live in the good ol’ South, where the daytime temperatures can range anywhere from the 40s to the 80s. Regardless of the widely varying temps, the lowcountry and coastal plain can be very active for inshore fishing, even in the winter months. Sometimes you just have to go and find out if the fish are chewing. Any true southern fisherman knows that unless it’s bitter cold with very cold water temperatures, the redfish (red drum) are hungry and are catchable.
I like to target redfish in shallow creeks, much like most other times during the year. The bait of choice is also the same; artificial paddle tails, shrimp, live mullet and mud minnows, to name a few. Keep in mind that during the colder months water clarity increases and the redfish can see you as easily as you can see them. Their senses are heightened to provide protection against their predators, dolphins.
In winter months, I’ve seen redfish congregate in shallow waters in large groups for protection.
If you know redfish are in the area, but you aren’t getting any strikes, slow down your presentation, or try dead sticking your bait. Dead sticking is where you cast to (or place) your bait in a targeted area and just let it sit for upwards of five or ten minutes, while checking for any line resistance periodically. Redfish may be lethargic in taking the bait at times, but once you’re hooked up, the fight is as exhilarating as any other time of year.
Don’t limit yourself though. Sheepshead are also a sure bet. Look for them around dock pilings and other structure. A few ounces of fiddler crabs and a light touch will get you plenty of tasty fillets on the table.
During the milder winters our waters also yield some good spurts of speckled trout action. If you can’t find the trout in shallow water, try deeper holes in creeks where the water temperatures are a bit warmer. Use a slow retrieval or dead sticking method and you’re sure to have some success.
Just because its wintertime doesn’t mean you can’t fish! And remember, if you don’t go, you don’t know.
Stay safe and tight lines.
Trey fishes for Hobie Polarized Sunglasses, and ENGEL Coolers. Email: info@southerntidesmagazine.com
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