Winter 2006

Florida Is Not Just For Bikinis

By JOHN KASUN
There is no question that the north is firmly in the grasp of Old Man Winter. Many folks from this region will be heading south for a quick dose of sunshine and warm water over the next several months and others are planning a spring or summer vacation. In either case if you're heading south don't forget your fishing rod.
Most people think of Florida as the land of bikinis, golf courses, sandy beaches, bikinis, theme parks, a mouse with big ears and oh, did I mention bikinis? The average fisherman from up north sees Florida as ocean going charter boats, big fish, special equipment and high costs. However one of Florida's best-kept secrets is its excellent wade fishing which can be done from most beaches and in shallow backwater flats. The best part is it can be done with simple spinning equipment and some of the lures you have in your tackle box right now at little or no cost.
Florida and the islands that dot its coast form numerous bays and flats often teaming with fish. These areas are often shallow averaging 3 to 7 feet with some deeper channels and are made up of grass flats, mud bottoms, and oyster bars. This combination of structure and cover attract and hold a variety of fish. A quick and easy way to identify likely fishing areas is to purchase a map showing the water depths, channels and possible access points of the area you intend to visit. Bait or tackle shops are also an excellent source of information and can provide the aforementioned maps as well. Generally you will find these people friendly and often willing to point you in the right direction. With a little effort you should find some great starting points for your fishing adventure in short order.
While wade fishing can be productive at any time of the year conditions and the type as well as the number of fish vary with the water temperature. During the winter months fishing is slower and best done by bottom fishing with live bait or tube baits. During the spring and summer months the action picks up dramatically as more fish move into the shallows and top water lures and spoons become extremely productive.

Here the author's brother holds up a Yellow Tailed Jack. Unsuitable for eating they are a catch and release fish that put up an exceptional battle for their size and provide great fishing.

Equipment should be kept simple. A rod between 6 to 7 feet in length with medium to medium heavy action with a spinning reel filled with 8- to 10-pound line should do the trick. Tie on a small barrel swivel to which you should attach about 24 inches of a heavier shock leader of 15- to 20-pound test. Next is the hook or lure of your choice. If you're new to wade fishing in salt water you probably are fishing for anything that bites. As the fish that you could catch vary greatly so do the suitable lures and baits. Live shrimp are available at any bait shop and are a stable of the bait fisherman. Depending upon the time of the year sand fleas, (small crab like creatures), can be gathered from the sand on the beach and small crabs are abundant on the oyster bars. For shrimp and crabs a 1-0 hook works well while a smaller hook is required for sand fleas.For artificials a 1/8 to 3/8 ounce gold or silver spoon works well on redfish, snook, sea trout or jacks. Most top water bass plugs also work well for redfish and sea trout during the warmer spring and summer months.

Plastic tube baits or grubs work just as well down south as they do up north although a size or two larger is normally recommended. Again a stop at the bait shop can produce some good lure and bait recommendations for the fish currently in close to shore.
The flats are greatly affected by tidal movement and the water level can change by two to four feet per tide. Fish take advantage of the tidal change by roaming the flats on high tide feeding on baitfish crabs etc. Then as the tide starts to recede they will slide off the flat into deeper water waiting in ambush at the edge of a channel for smaller fish, which are also moving with the tide. Fishing along the weed beds and edges of these channels can be very productive.
When wading carry as little gear as possible, normally a belt pack is sufficient to carry extra lures; leader etc while a bait bucket will be required for live bait. During the winter months, even thought the air temperatures may be warm the water can still be cool and a pair of chest waders is recommended. When wading you will encounter bottom areas that include mud, grass beds, oyster bars and broken shells. Even thought the bottom is sandy a good pair of wading shoes will protect your feet from broken shells or the occasional oyster bar.
For spring or summer fishing switch to a pair of shorts, a T-shirt, sun block a good pair of polarized sunglasses, hat and you're good to go. If available a small canoe, float tube or rubber boat is great to hold some extra gear and will allow you to cover some areas not directly accessible by land.
Salt water can be hazardous to your fishing equipment health so be sure and spray it thoroughly with fresh water when done at the end of the day.
Although light tackle will handle most of the fish you may hook don't expect to land everything that comes along. ou never know what's in the water and at least once on every trip I hook into a fish that strips my reel and breaks the line setting me up for a story of the one that got away.
All out of state residents do require a license and check the fishing regulation booklet concerning creel limits as well as sizes. Some fish not only have a minimum size limit but also a maximum size limit.
So if you're heading to the Florida this winter, spring or summer don't forget your fishing gear for two reasons. First you may just experience some great fishing and second it gives you a great excuse to see the bikinis up close.