Anglers Coping With Frosty Conditions

For the first time this winter, you could see the frost of your breath, drifting up like steam from a boiling crab pot.

Mullet fishermen off Anna Maria Island double over gunnels to crank in heaps of mullet, filling local markets with fresh-smoked delicacies. The water is clear as a drill sergeant's command. Algae, faced with the prospect of living in 51-degree water temperature, die. A lack of rain keeps bacteria, dirt and other fauna from reaching the waterways. Anglers can see sheepshead keeping post at the bottom of pilings.

Hints of another un-Florida-like winter have changed everything.

Haven't heard? Shiners left with fall. Pelagics fled Bradentucky, headed toward Margaritaville. Snook wonder why they aren't following – there already are reports of dead linesiders having been found in the Braden River and Anna Maria Sound. After a snook kill last February in which an estimated half-million snook died statewide, gamefish chasers can't afford another harsh winter.

Anglers, meanwhile, must cope with the conditions. That means light lines no heavier than 10-pound backing or a 25-pound leader for light-tackle spinning outfits. Go lighter if in open waters where you can afford to let some drag scream because of the absence of line-cutting structures. Think small: Small hooks, small baits and "small" motors. CAL shads, DOA shrimp and some of the smaller CAL jerk baits are not too bulky. Capt. Ray Markham of Backwater Promotions likes the new Lil John MirrOlure, which looks like a 4-inch-long rat tail.

Work the bait slow like a shrimp, and most fish will think it is such. Do not run motors over spots. Fish around structure are especially ready to bolt at the first churning prop. Idle into an area, anchor-up far from the fish and make long casts.

Remember that the fish have slow metabolisms right now, which means they will not look for you. You must find the fish and serve breakfast in bed.

On lower tides in the afternoon, most fish such as redfish and trout (lay off the snook – the fishery begs you) will be lying in 6-12 inches of water. Crawl baits, such as cut baits, dead shiners or shrimp along the bottom. Or simply put the rod in its holder and wait.

Deep waters, where waters are much warmer than at the surface, also may hold fish. This also is true in freshwater. Capt. Doc Lee, who regularly fishes Lake Evers in a 19-foot Boston Whaler, reported some anglers are doing well with bass, fishing off points in deeper water. Speckled perch also are deep.

Finally, let's hope we get some warmer water temperatures. If you see a snook floating, remember it is illegal to gaff or hook it. The fish may simply be stunned and soon revived with a warm spell.

Here's to warmer days to come (I hope), and remember, in the winter, it's best to think like a fish when finding one.