Despite winter, some fish are still biting

The fabulous winter just goes on and on.

Thankfully, the few trips I do get out on the "Dee Jay II" have been really productive. We are not talking world-class sport fishing here, but rods have been bent more often than not.

The past week had sheepshead come on real strong, with the average size increasing substantially. Most of the tasty convict fish have been found in the bays around deep dock structures and taken with regular-sized live shrimp. The last trip before the routine weekend front was windy and cold, but a decent incoming tide got the sheepies on a tear, with some slot-sized redfish in the mix.

Speckled trout have also been cooperative. The specks range in size from 10 to 20 inches and have been taken with live shrimp, Cotee, and Cal-Jigs. With the changing weather patterns the trout have been moving around quite a bit and may not be found in the same place one day to the next.

In addition, there has been a few flounder, hefty ladyfish, black drum and bluefish.

The weather report is calling for at least another week of low temperatures in the 40s and highs around 60. The abnormally low water temperatures just do not have a chance of rebounding under those conditions. The frequency of the cold fronts has not allowed the water off the beaches to settle and clear as well. The winter pattern action we have been enjoying should continue on but don't look for spring to be busting out any time soon.

Good luck and good fishing. Be careful out there.

Capt. "Zach" Zacharias

(941) 795-5026

E-mail: zachap@aol.com

Docked on Palma Sola Bay at Parrot Cove Marina/Sunny Shores

115th Street West and 36th Avenue, Cortez, FL 34215