TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | FEB 2019 27
THE
Fish
Captain
Nick Shreves
Whisperer
Feb. Fishing Forecast
INSHORE
Inshore fishing is going to be tough this time of year, but fish are around.
Sheepshead are still around, munching on Fiddler Crabs, barnacles and
oysters. These fish love to be around structure. When its low tide, you will
see the white marks from them feeding along the pilings. Pay attention to
this and you will find the bigger schools. Speckled Sea Trout are hanging
out in the deeper holes, waiting for food to come to them. Red Drum can
be found in the shallow mud flats sunning themselves on those warm
afternoons. Keep moving and you will find fish. NEAR SHORE
The Black Sea Bass should be heading to deeper waters with the colder
water that has set up in our region. Tons of short Black Sea Bass are
on the close reefs and the keepers are out in 60 plus ft. of water. The
Sheepshead have moved out to the reefs and are ready to eat every
Fiddler Crab you offer them. For Sheepshead, use a rod with a fast action
tip so you can see their light bite. A Carolina style rig with an ultra-sharp
live bait hook gives you the best chance at putting these bait stealers in
the fish box. I tend to take at least 100 crabs per person, as these fish
will steal your bait very often. Lots of Black Drum are on the same reefs
as the Sheepshead. Find those calm days and you can have a fish fry
with all your friends.
OFF SHORE
Offshore fishing has remained really good for those willing to make the
run out deep. All you have to do is to wait for a day with nice weather
and go; the fish are hungry. Triggerfish, Red Porgies, Vermilion Snapper
and lots of Grunts are all feeding heavy. Squid and Boston Mackerel are
great baits for all these fish. Amberjack and Barracuda can be found near
the towers and are best caught on live bait jigs or trolling large lures.
Then for those with the gear, high speed trolling is producing plenty
of Wahoo as well. These fish can be found along the big temperature
breaks found near the stream. Check out your sea surface charts and
watch your temp readings and you have a great chance and catching
one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Have heard lots of reports of both
Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna along the stream as well - the most Yellowfin
I have heard of in over a decade.
If you are interested in joining me on a fishing adventure, give me a
call at Big Fish Charters (912) 230-4625.