Inshore fishing is hot in the winter months

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the fishing is not hot.

“A lot of people think the fish aren’t biting this time of year so the rods get dusty,” Sonny Granger told the more than 55 gathered at Hooters Wednesday evening for the Emerald Coast Saltwater Seminar Series.

“But the truth is, there are a lot of fish biting.”

Capt. Phil Rooks of the charter boat Fish Finder was on hand to help Granger explain what fish are biting inshore and where during the winter months.

White Trout

 “White trout are most common this time of year,” Rooks said. He said they like the deep holes in the bay and up in the harbor.

The best bait is cut shrimp or squid.

Rooks also suggested cutting up the first white trout you catch and turning it into bait.

“But you’ve got to get it on the bottom,” he said.

Rooks said his personal favorite rig for white trout is a hook with a slip lead. “It works well in murky water,” he said.

White trout are good to eat fresh. Granger and Rooks said they don’t freeze well.

There are no limits on white trout.

“You can keep a box full of them,” Rooks said.

Flounder

This time of year, they are in the deeper water, Rooks said, “mostly offshore.”

He said the Air Force Barge is a good play for flounder.

Whiting

“It’s a bottom feeder in the Gulf … a lot like a white trout,” Rooks said. “They’ll eat anything they can find.”

He suggested shrimp and squid for bait.

Granger said he uses the same type surf-fishing rig he uses for pompano to fish for whiting.

“And I look for the deeper holes and washouts in the surf,” Granger said.

“A little bit of a roll on the water is better too,” Rooks said.

“You don’t have to throw it far, because they’ll be in close,” Granger said.

Sheepshead

“That’s our staple this time of year,” Rooks said.

White trout is the most plentiful, but the sheepshead is good in size.

And the place to catch them is around the concrete pilings of the bridge.

The best bait is live shrimp.

“They are bait stealers … with a real light bite,” Rooks said.

“They will test your tackle,” Granger said, noting they’re a lot of fun to catch. “You’ll wonder if they’ll break your tackle.”

Rooks said he likes to use as small a hook as he can get away with — about a No. 4 or 6 circle hook.

“They’ve got a mouth like a vice,” he said.

Blackdrum

“They like deep holes and structure,” Rooks said.

The Mid-Bay Bridge is the No. 1 spot for blackdrum.

Bait of choice is crab cut in half on a slip lead rig with a bigger rod and heavier leader.

Rooks said he uses braid on the leader and about 30-pound test line.

“With braid you can feel every little bite,” Granger said. “It will increase your catch in angling and help you gain success.”

Because blackdrum can be anywhere from 10 to 20-pounds, Rooks said he uses a 7-foot rod, “one you can put some clout on.”

Speckled Trout

“In the winter they are going to move to the mouths of these creeks,” Rooks said. Two of the best are Alaqua and LaGrange and look for them in the deeper holes.

“The mouths of the rivers are going to be full of them,” Rooks said.

When fishing up and down the creeks, the north side of the bank is best because it is going to heat up quicker and the fish are moving to warmer water.

White Point on the north side of the Mid-Bay Bridge is another good spot for speckled trout on a sunny day, Rooks said.

“They are more temperature dependant than clarity dependant,” Granger said.

As for tackle, Rooks said he likes to use a little headed jig with a clear green plastic with a red tail or a white plastic with a red tail.

He said he also likes to dip the tail in smashed up shrimp to stink it up.

Redfish

“It’s not as good as in the summer, but they are still around,” Rooks said.

He suggests going up in the bayous in the deeper water and fish them slow.

Redfish can also be found in the surf.

“Look for washes and deep little troughs,” he said.

Rook uses a big slip lead with a circle hook and a big shrimp for bait.

“You want a shrimp big enough to grill,” he said. “Peel part of ‘em so he’ll stink real good.”

“Throw to the outside edge of the second bar,” Rooks said. “If you can’t reach those, fish in the little troughs.”

If you are putting your rod in a sand spike on the beach, “hammer it in or you’ll lose a rod,” Granger said. “They’ll burn drag.”