Longboat Key, FL 1/18-1/20

[MNfisher]

Went to visit my mother-in-law over MLK weekend. I headed out to some flats on Saturday and it was tough to say the least! 25-30 mph NW wind with a high of 53 for the day. Water temps were down in the 53-54 range. Snook start dying at 51. So the fish were very lethargic and just trying to warm up!

I woke up Sunday to a sunnier and calmer day. I waited until afternoon to let things warm up a bit. I went to the same flat and it was a negative tide, which I like because it really pushes the fish in the holes and ledges. I paddled up to a nice cut in the flat, casted a jig out and BAM! big ol redfish! Taped her at just under 28" and let her swim, 2 more hours of fishing resulted in 1 bluefish! I spotted a nice school of reds, but they didn't want anything to do with my offerings.

Monday headed out with my buddy on a boat, Jenn joined my this time. We headed to the same cut, found a nice school in it and we tossed out some shrimp and waited. Finally my wifes line took off and landed her first red right at 27"! It was a blast to watch her fight it!

We dropped Jenn off and headed to a canal that the snook like to flock to when it gets cold. We fished it hard, but no bites, but we spooked SEVERAL snook in the 35-40+ inch range, true giants for the gulf! But they were just not in the mood. Finally found a dock with black plastic pontoons under it. The sun must have heated the black plastic because there were tons of fish of several species just under the plastic. We sat there for about an hour and a half and caught about 25 jacks in the 1-2 lb range, a half dozen sheepshead, 3 mangrove snapper and a nice fat 28" red.

It was tough fishing, but still had a blast. Even thought i only caught one red, it was worth it, It definitely gave me a ride in the kayak!!

[Alphahawk]

Congrats on your catch and a nice get away from this cold.


Regards


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[Travis C.]

That sounds like fun.

I looked up long boat key on the map and maybe you can help me out. My wife wants to go vacation at Hernando Beach on the north side of Tampa Bay. Do yo know anything about the fishing up that way?

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

That sounds like fun.

I looked up long boat key on the map and maybe you can help me out. My wife wants to go vacation at Hernando Beach on the north side of Tampa Bay. Do yo know anything about the fishing up that way?

I just google earthed it and it looks interesting. I fish the intercoastal waters most of the time and it is an entire different fishing than in the gulf or in the surf. But it looks like there is a lot of very shallow water that goes a long ways and lots of backwater that I bet would hold lots of trout and reds and some snook. I found that it is the best scalloping in FL. I would love to go scalloping! GOOD EATS!!!

[Pookie]

Nice looking Reds.

When it turns cold, it seems the only thing I have caught there were Sheepsheads.

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by Pookie

Nice looking Reds.

When it turns cold, it seems the only thing I have caught there were Sheepsheads.

Yep, I have found the same.

[spottedbass]

Did you put a filet knife to those sheepies? They are good eats.

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by spottedbass

Did you put a filet knife to those sheepies? They are good eats.

I didn't because I flew out that afternoon, but yes...very good eats!

[Reel Tune]

Great report Mike. If that cold front wouldn't have come through I'm sure you would have tore them up.