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Fishing Report

January Fishing Report

January fishing in the shallow water around the Steinhatchee area has, as usual, been extremely weather dependent. Pre-frontal fishing with reasonable tide movement has been very productive, with lots of large Red's and Trout to be found.......However during the "Cold Fronts" and just after their passing can be seriously difficult. Overall, I have "not" noticed the same quantities of bait, especially Mullet, as were around this time last year.

Although there have been "Reasonable" numbers of Reds to be found in the shallows, it can be quite frustrating approaching Redfish in the "50" degree water and have them pay no attention to what you are offering......but as the daytime progresses and the water warms they will show you their true nature by becoming much more aggressive.

Shallow suspending baits such as Corky's Mullet, DOA Mullet, "Gulp" jerk shad, as well as the old standard Johnson Silver Minnow in "Gold", will all produce if the fish are feeding.....If they are dormant you can forget-about-it....they simply won't eat no matter what you place in front of them.

For those of you who are out to catch your dinner and not really interested in the larger fish, you can usually catch a cooler full of small Trout in the River......Just be prepared to be a part of a large crowd of boats who jam themselves together in the narrow river channel.

Some of my favorite fishing occurs in February which is rapidly approaching. Most of the "Meat-only" fishermen take this month off and leave the area somewhat vacant for the more "Sport-Minded" catch and release guys....."REMEMBER" ....Please pinch the barbs on your hooks in Feb. so that you don't injure the fish that you release. It will benefit us all if everyone will strive to release fish in as healthy as possible condition.