Captain Zach's Manatee Fishing Report, January 25

CORTEZ – About the time you got to thinking last winter's weather was as bad as it could get; it gets crazier. It's been about two months of reports now that include mentions of frigid arctic air and now you can throw in rain,wind and dense fog. None of the above makes for great winter fishing conditions, but if you're willing to brave the elements there's a lot of action to be enjoyed hereabouts.

Number one on the list of cooperative species has to be spotted sea trout with a few gray trout mixed in the catch. As I've reported before, the trout are coming in from a wide variety of locales. Live shrimp, "Gulp" shrimp, and jigs like the CAL paddle tails, Cotees, and Tsunami trout maulers have all produced well.

The trout have ranged in size from dinks up through the slot and occasional yellow mouth gators in the mid to upper 20-inch category. Sheephead, redfish, black drum, and flounder have also provided good sport and contributed to family fish frys quite well.

Reports from the offshore boats have also been generally good when they can get out there. Another blast of cold air is upon us as I write this report, and another gulf storm is being predicted for early next week. The full moon in February usually ushers in spring like weather in our neck of the woods. The moon in February is in the third week, so we may have another solid month of winter weather in the area.

Good luck and good fishing. Be careful out there!! Capt. Zach, Cortez, Fl 941-795-5026 email: zachcap@aol.com. Give me a call to arrange an inshore/nearshore/offshore fishing excursion in the Anna Maria/Longboat Key/Cortez area