TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | JAN 2021 37
THE
Fish
Captain
Nick Shreves
Whisperer
Jan. Fishing Forecast
INSHORE
Inshore fishing will be the 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.
NEARSHORE
Nearshore fishing has been pretty good. The Black Sea Bass are getting
bigger in the 40 to 50 feet 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.
OFFSHORE
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 nearshore fishing, Squid and cut bait work great.
The stream is producing Blackfin Tuna, Amberjack and Barracuda and are
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