FORECAST
The cold fronts are rolling down Florida's peninsula with regularity and if fish had coats, they would be wearing them now.
Great flocks of White Pelicans are migrating through our area to warmer climes and that always forecasts the changes of fishing patterns in the 10,000 Islands.
For the next thirty days the best catches will belong to those fisher people who are willing to change tactics and fishing locales. The fish in southwest Florida are primarily tropical and sub-tropical species and when the water temperature falls below 69 degrees they move to different areas and feed differently.
Still, the fishing forecast is good for this period because some tasty fish move into our area in numbers that we don't see in other times of the year.
If it's table fare you're seeking you can aim your sights on spotted sea trout, silver trout (also known as white trout), mackerel, redfish or black drum.
Most of the silver trout are small but tasty and they provided dinner for Stan and his son Ryan Hintze and family on a recent charter. That cold day the Hintze team from Iowa caught and released over 50 fish of various species but kept 15 silvers for a family dinner.
RYAN'S SILVER TROUT
Redfish in our area aren't as plentiful as in the past but if you can locate them they provide great sport and good eating. Same with the black drum who will find winter homes in deep holes for the next few weeks.
If the fish are smarter than you some day but seafood is still whetting your appetite, I suggest you try my simple but delicious shrimp and scallop dinner.
