The holidays are over; life as we know it is fi – nally getting back to normal. So what’s left to be excited about? Anglers across the region are getting geared up for February 1st – the start of snook season! But on January 15th, the FWC issued a ruling that snook season would remain closed until midnight August 31st. this is to allow the species to get back on its feet after the devastating cold we had during January. Make no mistake, the fact that you can continue to practice “Catch & Release” tactics for snook does not mean that the fi sh, or the weather, is going to cooperate with your plans. Snook get pretty lethargic in water temps 70 degrees or cooler and February, historically, is one of the coldest and windiest months in the State of Florida, so angling can be downright dangerous. Catching one of these critters can be a mixture of skill, timing, and mostly luck.

Th is time of year an easier target for the table is sheepshead. They’re all over the Lagoon, and can be taken on shrimp or crabs fi shed on the bottom. Most of the time, you’ll be able to see these striped cruisers meandering around on the flats. They put up a great fight, and are great table fare. Try using a circle hook for sheepshead, they hit so soft that many times you don’t feel it. Th e circle will hook up without any work on your part!

These cold and windy days also bring jacks… lots of jacks, big ones and small ones. These fish fight like prize fighters. From 5 lbs. to 30 lbs., these guys can really test your tackle, as well as provide some exhilarating fishing!

LOXAHATCHEE RIVER
This time of year the river should hold snook, pompano, sheepshead and big jacks. Look for snook in the channels and edges of the flats; in the colder weather these fish will be picky on what they eat, looking for the most food for the least amount of effort. The pompano can be found cruising around the flats on the east side of the channel. Look for sheepshead around the bridges and oyster bars. The big jacks can be found cruising through the river whereever they can find a quick meal.

NORTH PALM BEACH
North Lagoon holds snook, bluefish, jacks and ladyfish; look for fi sh in deeper water on the flats; also look for areas with dark bottoms, as these areas will warm up first. Th e F.P.L. plant is down for maintenance, so the boil is not there. When on the south end of Peanut Island, be wary of the manatees.

SOUTH PALM BEACH
February is a tough month in this area; the snook fishing can be slow, but the sheepshead fishing around the area bridges is very good. Many people can be seen scraping the sides of the pilings; these folks are not clean freaks trying to clean the bridges, they are attracting sheepshead. If you decide to use this method, don’t go crazy; if you do too much, the fish won’t fi nd your bait.

Safety should be your fi rst thought. Th e weather can go from nice to rotten in an hour whenever a cold front rolls down the State. On the bright side, this is a great time to get some of that boat maintenance done that you may have been putting off .

So pick your day, watch the weather and enjoy those windows of good weather. Make the most of the fi shing you get to do! Keep in mind we don’t have that much cold weather in Florida. Spring is coming!

FORECAST BY:
Captain Barry
“Lagoonatic” Charters – 561-601-3474 Board of Directors– West Palm Beach Fishing Club Native to South Florida, Captain Barry Brimacomb is well versed in both salt and fresh water tactics. He specializes in light tackle and fl y-fi shing, but knows the importance of fl exibility to make the best of any fi shing opportunities that arise! “Palm Beach County off ers some of the best fi shing diversity of any place I know; from the awesome off -shore fi shery to picturesque inshore estuaries and numerous freshwater lakes and canals. Th is area truly is a fi sherman’s paradise!”