We have contacted them and are awaiting more information.

While the inshore sizes are nowhere near what they can be off-shore, the inshore mangrove snapper can get up to 20”.

Now get out there and catch some!

Spring Time Clear Water Tips

• Use longer fluorocarbon leaders
• Reduce terminal tackle size and weight
• Make sure all live bait is active
• Reduce activity on shore or on the pier/dock
• Speed up retrieve with artificial lures

Use longer fluorocarbon leaders

When the water is clear, like it can be this time of year, it is often rather helpful to use a long, fluorocarbon leader. Fish begin to feed using their vision much more in clear water, and fluorocarbon is almost completely invisible to fish. This invisible trait will lead to less spooked fish and more hits. A leader or 2-3’ works best in these situations.

Reduce Terminal Tackle Size and Weight

Because of the increased visibility in clear water, using smaller hooks, swivels and weights will help accomplish the same goal as using a fluorocarbon leader. Fish can see large hooks and other tackle and will sometimes shy away from taking the bait.

Make Sure all Live Bait is Active

Active live bait will draw far more attention than subdued bait. The clear waters will allow a fish that may not otherwise find a bait be caught because they are attracted to the erratic movement of a hooked bait. Once a bait becomes lethargic, change it out for a fresh and lively bait.

Reduce Activity on Shore or on the Pier/Dock

With murky dark waters, the activity that happens above water is often times not visible to the fish bellow water. Now that spring is bringing clear clean water that changes. Any movement or activity can spook a fish that my otherwise have taken the bait. Reduce movement and activity to increase the amount of fish caught!

Speed Up Retrieve with Artificial Lures

A faster retrieve with artificial lures will lead to more strikes in clear water. With a slower retrieve the fish may have time to recognize the lure as artificial and not strike. A faster retrieve will cause the fish to act on instinct and strike.

Now get out there and fish!

Now that the Winter Shrimp Run is ending it is time to prepare for the summer run.

In the summer, shrimpers do not use dip nets at night, they use cast nets in the channels during the day.

Mangrove Snapper Gear

Inshore Snapper do not frequently get over 14” so most inshore equipment will work. Bait casting, spinning and even light spin casting gear can work, but here is a list of suggest gear:

• Baitcaster or Spinning real in the 15-20lb class
• Medium action 15-20lb class rod
• 20lb braided line
• 15lb fluorocarbon leader
• #1-2/0 Circle Hook
• ½-2oz egg sinker

Mangrove Snapper Techniques

Mangrove Snapper spend their entire life near heavy cover. From their namesake mangrove shorelines to deep off shore reefs. When looking for inshore snapper look around docks, piers and mangrove shores. Here are a few techniques to help:

• Live bait is best – Mud Minnows, Small Finger Mullet, Live Shrimp
• Allowing the bait to slowly drift with the current will bring more strikes
• Because they prefer heavy cover, reel the fish up fast to avoid cutting leaders on cover

Mangrove Snapper Tips

Snapper are very good at steeling bait. Using the smallest sinker that will hold bottom and a smaller hook will lead to more strikes.

Circle Hooks

Circle hooks are becoming more and more popular inshore in Florida. They nearly eliminate “gut hooking” a fish and almost always hooks the fish in the corner of the mouth (one of the Sheepsheads few week spots). With these attributes, circle hooks are becoming the favorite hook for some Sheepshead anglers.

How to Fish for Sheepshead using Circle Hooks

• Using a 12-16” 20lb leader place a 1/0 circle hook at the bottom.
• Above the leader place a egg sinker just large enough to hold bottom against the current
• For bait use fiddler crabs of small live shrimp
• When the first hit is detected allow the Sheepshead some slack to allow it to eat the bait
• After about 5-7 seconds put pressure on the fish and it will hook its slef.

Using a Circle Hook while fishing for Sheepshead can increase the amount of hook ups if done correctly. It is important to be patient and most of all, to have fun!

A new statewide law allows 8 total redfish per vessel, as long as no single person violates the allowed bag limit!

Start to look for Sheepshead around inlets this time of year. They will congregate around the jetties, eating the invertebrates that can be found there. If the water is too rough around the inlet, try bridges, piers, docks or any rock formations inshore.

Now go get a bucket of fiddler crabs and get out there to catch Sheepshead!

Now that the 5-gallon bucket has been filled full of fresh shrimp caught in the Florida Shrimp Run, it is time to clean and preserve your catch!

Step 1 – Remove the Heads

In one hand hold the shrimp firmly. With the index finger and thumb of the other hand grab the head using a pinching motion. Twist quickly and the head will pop off!

Another technique is to put the shrimp on a cutting board, and using a drinking glass press the glass firmly at the joint of the head and the tail. This will separate the two parts!

Step 2 – Freeze the Shrimp

The best way to preserve fresh shrimp is to vacuum seal the shrimp and then freeze it. If a vacuum sealer is not available the next best option is to fill a zip-loc style ¾ full of shrimp and the fill it with water. The will turn to ice and keep air off the shrimp!

Step 3 – Thaw and Enjoy!