Navarre fishing forecast February 2014

Inshore Sheepshead will be the number one target for most anglers. They can be found around the piling of almost any bridge as well as around the jetties in the Destin and Pensacola Passes. Fiddler crabs and small live shrimp are the top baits when fished on light 15 to 20 pound fluorocarbon leader with a #6 or #4 Mustad 94150 short shank live bait hook. Most of the reds have migrated up into the rivers or out around area passes. The Trout will also be in the rivers with the Redfish and will stay there as long as the weather remains cold. Fishing the deeper bends and holes in the rivers with live bait, curly tail grubs and Gulp on jig heads are all productive presentation. Just be sure to slow down your presentation, because the cold weather has slowed their metabolism down so much that they are extremely lethargic. Bull reds will be stacked in and around area passes. Live bait fished on the bottom is the top presentation, but 1.5 to 2oz bucktail jigs bounces along the bottom will also get the bite. Slow trolling Mann’s Stretch 25’s and Yo-Zuri deep lipped 3D diving minnows around 3 mile bridge and the Pensacola pass is also a great way of locating the schools.

The cold weather this time of year will affect pier and surf fishermen the most. However on those days when the weather is warmer the Whiting, Redfish, and Pompano will show up. Live shrimp sand fleas are top baits, and if you can’t find live frozen will work. Redfish will also hit live pinfish or cut mullet. Most Reds will be oversized but there should be some slot fish available. Be sure to fully revive and release the oversized Reds. Bonita and Bluefish will also be around this time of year so be ready for them with a ½ oz to 1-1/2 oz silver spoon. You will need to use a trace of 40# wire or 50# mono for a leader to prevent getting cut off by the blues. A 30# mono leader for the Bonita will suffice.

Offshore as with last month most bottom fishermen will be targeting Flounder on the near shore wrecks with finger mullet, pinfish, and bull minnows. Amberjack will be the main target further offshore on deep structure in 200 plus feet of water. All grouper harvest will be closed until April 1^st. Large live pinfish, sand perch, or red porgies are outstanding baits for the amberjacks. The Shimano Butterfly, Williamson, and Bomber jigs are exciting and extremely productive presentation for targeting AJ’s. For those who like to troll, the Nipple and the Spur are two proven areas this time of year for blackfin and yellowfin tuna as well as the occasional wahoo. Tuna and Wahoo will also be feeding around many of the deeper oil platforms. Chumming and Chunking are two good techniques around the platforms to put fish in the boat, but from past experience jigging can’t be beat most days.

Until next month tight lines!