
I am usually positive about most months fishing, however, February is not one of my favorite months. The best bet will be to fish Redfish on the shallow mud flats in mid day. After the mud warms throughout the day the redfish will get active on the flats. If you can score a falling tide from midmorning through afternoon you are in the best time frame for success. A well placed TBS Jig and mud minnow combo is a sure ticket to a hook up. I like to stake out around pinch points, run outs or falling water and rips around an oyster bar. These are all prime locations for redfish, as well as, black drum, sheephead, trout and flounder. Most trout and flounder will be on the smaller size. Black drum and sheephead need be baited with shrimp, if that is more of the targeted species. For the true flats angler wanting to sight fish, he will need alittle cooperation from mother nature. Low winds and sunshine make for a good day. Poling your skiffs with the sun at your back and on the lee side of the mud flats will be your ticket. Look for heavy pushes and backs and just plain swimming fish. A small black TBS bucktail in 1/8 / 1/4 or a weedless plastic in a dark color are some of my favorites. I prefer the bucktail for the stealthy landing and accurate cast ability, however, if the fish are staging in alot of oysters or very shelly area, the weedless plastic will do. Most time in very shallow areas, steath is the name of the game. The fish canot sense you are there or they become very hard to catch. Trout will be in many of the common areas such as deep bends in creeks and edges of the Intercoastal waterway, and parts of the rivers drop offs. Float rigs, Jig and bait combos and plastic grubs in brighter colors are always a good pick. Use enough weight to effectivivly fish the bottom. If you do not know and are not intune with your bait it can be a tuff bite!! While trout fishing if you run into bluefish, fish the area well, trout will be close by. There should be plenty of bluefish and they are always fun and fairly easy to catch when you find them. If the weather and cold are to much for you.....This is a great time for reel maintenace!!! Get ready, March is coming and things will start to heat up!! Until next report, tight lines!