I went scouting Monday on a day off in Steinhatchee Florida. Conditions looked tough with 20 plus MPH winds. Tides were favorable in my opinion with a negative low in the morning and an incoming tide. I always fish places I’ve never been on these days so they can often be humbling. After a hard wet ride and a few dead zones….. well Lord Almighty I found a new spot. In less than an hour had multiple decent slot reds and some impressive trout. I was using pinfish and shrimp on a 0/1 circle hook on a free line and a Top Dog Jr. suspended bait along with a black with chartreuse tail DOA with a black 1/4oz jig head.

I went to scout some spots on Rodman 10/24. Fishing was real good with 15 bass up to 5lbs in about 4 hours. No big girls but, that’s scouting. Many of these fish are already have growing bellies as you can see in the pics. Makes for good padding on that PB we all look for. Water temps are down around 70-73 degrees so you crappie guys should start seeing them schooling up soon.

Plan your trips now as dates fill up fast in the winter!

I had the pleasure of taking the Gilbreath family out on Rodman Reservoir. This time of year I switch from mostly saltwater fishing to mostly bass fishing as between now and Easter is the best time of year for true MONSTER BASS.

The trip started in fairly dense fog with a good morning bite right off the bat. We had 20 fish 2 1/2 hours into a 4 hour trip. After that the bite died out to nothing. Managed 5 plus and a 6 as the best for the day. In February those would be pretty average fish but, always solid fish.   

So many things going on just before the most wonderful time of the year! Not necessarily Christmas but, fall and winter in general. I fish so many locations and types of fishing it’s hard to contain my anticipation. Lets start with BASS fishing. The peak time to bust the big girls is from around Halloween to Easter. Typical trips for me are 4 hrs AM with 10 to 15 fish on average with rarely a fish under 4 pounds and usually 2 or 3 over 7 pounds. Most seasons clients catch 25 to 35 fish over 10 and many tapping the bottom 10 pounds. Close enough to tell your friends 11. Ha ha. I don’t go for numbers I use huge shiners for big fish. I will accommodate artificial trips but, advise to use some shiners as well.

Saltwater changes with cooler weather as the GATOR trout start moving into the grass flats of Steinhatchee and creeks of Palm Coast. West coast the sheepshead come in to spawn in big numbers and shallow water grouper are always a great time. I will miss the tarpon and snook when fishing Palm Coast on the East Coast but, enjoy the black drum, trout and sheeps head off bridges and shell bars there. Winter in general means bigger and better and most days much more comfortable temperatures.

Best, Capt. Chris Davy