NEAR SHORE
Nearshore fishing has been pretty good. The Black Sea Bass are
getting bigger in the 40 to 50 foot of water range. Cut squid and
cut bait are top choices for this plentiful fish. Black Drum and
Sheepshead will also be hanging out in the same spots. Just like
inshore, they love the fiddler crabs but the Black Sea Bass will be
eating the crabs up as well, so make sure you bring plenty of bait.
I tend to have about 100 per person. Nothing worse than running
out in the middle of a good bite. We also are catching lots of Black
Drum to round out the fish box and to provide plenty of meat.
TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JAN 2018 23
THE
Fish
Captain
Nick Shreves
Whisperer
Jan. Fishing Forecast
INSHORE
Inshore fishing will be tough now that our water is down into
the low 50s. The Speckled Sea Trout should be holding up deep,
waiting in ambush mode for the bait to come to them; they will be
biting soft. Finding the schools is the key. I tend to troll for them
this time of year with half ounce jigs and gulp swimming mullet.
When I say troll I mean move just fast enough to keep the bait in
the prime zone and not coming up above 6 to 8 feet of water. Once
you find the school anchor up and wear them out. The Redfish
will be way up creeks or up shallow on the mud flats where they
can stay away from the Dolphins. Look for them to be sunning
themselves on the mud flats at low tide on those warm sunny
days. For a good bet this time of year target Sheepshead with
fiddler crabs. The local bait shop will have plenty and they will be
able to get you all the tackle you need. These fish will be around
any submerged structure, including oyster rakes.
OFF SHORE
Offshore fishing has remained good. Just remember that Grouper
are now closed and cannot be kept. Vermillion Snapper are open
and they are plentiful as well. Just like most bottom Squid and cut
bait work great. The stream is producing Blackfin Tuna, Amberjack
and Barracuda around the big structures and ledges looking to eat
anything they can get. I believe this is the best time of year to find
those big Wahoo to fill the box.
Thank you all for the support and hope you all have tight lines
and full fish boxes. To join me on a fishing trip call me at Big
Fish Charters (912) 230-4625.