The big difference between the first of November and the first of February is how many days between the fronts.
Cold, yeah it's not always balmy. But it's not even c-o-l-d, to the average visitor. And when it is cold, it doesn't last long. That's a good thing.
I love this time of year for many reasons; Electric bills now are $45 versus $145 in the summer at my house. But on the water, it's all about "targetable species".
When the local water's are 80 degrees. It's easy to say, "let's target Speckled Trout". But in reality, you may catch some Trout, but you'll also catch Jacks, Ladyfish, Pinfish, Bluefish, Croakers, stingrays...yeah the list of undesirables is long! But from Thanksgiving on, (usually) we can target a species and that's what you'll catch, with minimum others, stealing our baits. And the water temps that make this happen are anywhere from 64 to 58 degrees.
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I have for a long time wanted a TUB to run freshwater through my outboard. My Suzuki 250 has a lower unit that has "low water pick-ups". Along with the regular intakes on the sides of the lower unit.
Well, I've tried that and it doesn't really work all that well.
So, I finally got off my ass, went on to Amazon and ordered what I've been wanting for a long time.
70 gallons worth. And my lower unit of my Suzuki 250 fits perfectly well, in it.
I fill it up with water, add some "salt-away", and start up the motor and let her chug in the fresh water bath.
I'll do this once a week at least no matter how busy I am.
Of course in between, I can flush the motor with out it running with just a hose, thru the built in fresh water flush ports (2).
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I've been surfing a lot of Youtube lately. And with the usage of my "Slab Spoons" inshore, tipped with a shrimp or a patch of FISHBITES. I have a re-newed interest in Vertical jig fishing.
Vertical jig fishing really doesn't work inshore, because your jig is NEVER vertical, in all the current we have to deal with.
But offshore, is where it is done. Butterfly jigging, speed jigging, vertical jigging, is all the same really. But since I have hundreds of light chrome plated flat jigs. I wondered if they could be used over a ledge or wreck offshore. And what I found was super cool stuff.
MICRO-JIGGING! Using small light weight slab shaped metal jigs, on light line, with small reels, and ultra light rods. Hence, Micro-jigging! Leave it to the Japanese, Malaysians, Taiwanese, to come up with even a more exciting way of "jigging".
I'm talking small reels, and the rods are so light they look like a pencil with a reel seat on it, but they bow over like a car's radio antenna. 20 lb. Braided line, and jigs that max out at 2 ounces.
They've even found that a slow jigging speed, versus the fast paced speed jigging is effective in shallow waters.
Hmmmmm, sounds like ME!
I have a reel to use; a Shimano Curado 300 EJ with a power handle and high speed gearing. I have 20 pound super thin braided line. I have handfuls of thin 1/2 to 2 ounce metal jigs. All I needed was a extra light Micro jigging shallow water rod.
Well, I went on to Ebay (as I usually do) and got myself a super deal on a matching XXLight Shimano shallow water (under 100 feet) jigging rod.
Oh this ought to be fun this spring....!!!!
With either a 3/4 ounce chrome butterfish jig
Or even a buck-tail,
"IF", fuel prices stay down.
I'll find myself playing around on the near shore reefs with XTRA light tackle. Just for the fun of it.
Even though being a fishing guide is my J-O-B, I still have challenges I'd like to try. And still love getting into something different from time to time.
And ought to make for some great VIDEO'S!
