Cold weather hinders fishing along the Suncoast

It's that time of year again when anglers have to watch the weather and prioritize their pastimes. Cold snaps and high winds, along with rain associated with fronts moving down from the north make it a challenge to find a good window for a little fishing.

Things to keep in mind for inshore anglers include focusing on areas in deep water or close to deep water, as fish are starting to stage for their winter retreat to the depths, where they can find warmer water.

River mouths, backwater holes, residential canals and the like are already showing increased fishing action. Shallow backwater bayous with dark, mud bottoms also will hold fish during sunny days, as the bottom absorbs and hold's some of the sun's warmth.

At this time of year jigs are a top choice among artificials, as they get down to the bottom where the fish are.

They also can be worked very slowly, which is a better approach for fish operating with slower metabolisms than in the warmer months. Live shrimp is tops among natural baits. Free-lined or under a float, or fished on the bottom, shrimp are king when the water temperature drops.

Offshore anglers should pick days carefully to ensure safety. Fishing prior or during fronts can mean enduring higher winds and rough seas and cooler air is forced south. Watching the weather is even more important as the water temperatures drop, as it calls for venturing farther offshore to find fish. Have a float plan and stick to it, or update someone ashore if you change it.

Tackle shop roundup

Fisherman's World (727) 942-8944: Matt says conditions have been tough and anglers have been off the water for several days. For the die hard types who need a fishing fix, he recommends hitting the backwaters and fishing tight to mangroves with small jigs with grubs. Canals and other sheltered areas with deep water are another good bet. There have been a lot of fish moving into the bayous in Tarpon Springs, offering other opportunities for anglers. Use small baits and slow 'em down.

One Stop Bait and Tackle (727) 842-5610: Dwayne reported one of the better recent grouper catches came from a boat fishing prior to the cold snap. Fishing an artificial reef took a number of keeper-sized fish to 30 inches using live pinfish and cut sardines on the bottom.

Pier 60 (727) 462-6466: Tom reports that a good number of undersized gag grouper are being landed, with fish 16 to 18 inches common.

Fish have been taking shrimp and live pinfish. Flounder to 14 inches have been biting on shrimp fished on the bottom. A lot of those being landed have been too small to keep. Silver trout have been a good bet now that the water temperatures are down.

Lots of fish to 12 inches are taking live and dead shrimp. Whiting have been biting, as well, with plenty of fish to 14 inches taking shrimp or Love's tandem-rigged jigs with white, soft plastic tails.

Long Pier (727) 391-9398: Anglers have been taking advantage of the silver trout and whiting bite. Cooler water heats up the action on the two winter season species, and anglers have been scoring well on both using live shrimp on the bottom.

Both also take tandem-rigged jigs with soft tails. Sheepshead and flounder fishing is good, with shrimp dragged on the sandy bottom taking the flat fish, while the same bait fished around rocks or pilings working the sheepshead.

The kingfish party may be over, but the odd fish is being taken off the end of the pier by anglers using live bait and outriggers. The last fish caught was several days ago and weighed about 20 pounds.