Even with the unseasonably high temperatures, January provided consistent action on larger seatrout and the occasional redfish. On the warmest of days, the trout did seem to disperse to some degree and were a little harder to catch and, at times, a little smaller than what's expected. In some prior years, while fishing spots known to hold bigger trout, catching trout shorter than 17 inches was actually difficult, but fish in the 15 to 17 inch size range seem to be more abundant this year. Nevertheless, the average yield on a Tampa fishing charter over the last month was typically 6 - 20 quality, legal trout with anywhere from 1 - 10 redfish in addition. The standard approach used by most Tampa fishing guides in winter is to work the strong, moving tides to catch the trout and target the redfish on the highs and extreme lows. When tidal flow is visibly at its strongest, make sure to be on a prime trout spot. 
Once there, the most consistent rig to catch the larger seatrout was a select shrimp below a slip bobber, set to sit about a foot off the bottom. On some Tampa fishing charters however, a fly-lined shrimp or a shrimp with a very small split shot (PSS4 size) would improve the bite. For those who enjoy throwing artificials on light tackle, now is a great time of year. Small swim tail plastics or the longer "Slammer" split tail worm style baits rigged on a 1/4 ounce jig head can be highly effective. Always expect the bite on one of these jigs to be on the drop. Mirrodines and other suspending plugs are also an excellent choice. Fished using a side to side "walk the dog" type retrieve produces the best results. A light action spinning rod spooled with 10 lbs test is not too light for these big trout and can make each battle all that much more entertaining.
On a typical half day charter, a Tampa fishing guide will have an opportunity to fish a high or low tide for redfish. An early morning low presents an excellent opportunity to find a few redfish bottled up in a pothole. Approach the area with stealth and, if the pothole is on a flat, stay a long cast away. Here is where braided line is an important factor. Using a seven and half foot rod with 15 lbs braided line attached willl allow a super long cast. Launch a split-shotted shrimp into the hole and wait. For larger potholes deploy two of three lines. Chances are that a redfish in a pothole like this will usually eat the bait in relatively short order. If there is no activity, move on in 10 - 15 minutes to the next pothole. Tampa fishing for redfish in this way is feast or famine. Numerous potholes may produce nothing but the 4th or 5th one may deliver two or three nice fish. Be persistent.
On other Tampa fishing charters, it may be that there is a strong incoming tide first thing in the morning so the strategy changes to chasing reds on the higher phase of the tide. Although dock fishing is challenging on two fronts: casting the bait under the dock and getting larger fish back out of the structure; it is a very productive method for finding redfish in the winter. Many Tampa fishing guides have come to the simple conclusion that redfish eat primarily crustaceans in the winter and therefore, shrimp is the singular bait to be is used. 
Another important fact is that small redfish, at any time of the year, show a strong preference for shrimp and, as there are many more small reds available and also fewer redfish over all, it's just common sense to use this bait to maximize the number of fish being caught. Use a heavy split shot and a 2/0 circle hook and make casts into the areas under the dock that appear both deepest and are in the shadow line. It is quite common to be struck on the first good cast made under a dock. With this in mind, no dock should receive more than 10 minutes time with no action before moving to the next. 
If it believed that there are fish under a given dock and they are inactive (more the exception than the rule with redfish), break up some shrimp and throw them into the target area. If this does not trigger a bite, it is safe to move on knowing that, most likely, no fish has been left behind.
As waters begin to warm later this month, larger quantities of bigger redfish should start to return to St Joseph's Sound. Tides will also begin to strengthen in early March, bringing back into play some of the "summer" redfish spots. The bottom line is that redfishing will only get better from here forward and, with a little luck, a strong push of fish will show up early due to our unseasonably warm temperatures. So it's time to dust off the fishing gear and get ready for when that "fishing light switch" goes off in spring and, all of a sudden, bigger redfish are biting again. Good luck and good fishing.
Fishing Report
