When thinking about Florida saltwater fishing, redfish is probably the first species to come to mind. Especially along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on the western border of Florida, saltwater fishing is based around the population of redfish.

While many people are of the belief that redfish tend to disappear during the cold of winter, this is actually a time when you can catch more of them with a little diligence, since fewer anglers are out looking for them. The redfish will simply move from the inshore flats to river and creek mouths and may actually travel miles up the freshwater river alleys, leaving their saltwater habitats behind for the season in search of warmer temperatures.

One place where Florida saltwater fishing for redfish flourishes in the winter months is at oyster bars. Apalachicola Bay is the heart of fishing on the west coast, and here you'll find a number of oyster bars, including Dry Bar, the largest one in the bay. One thing you really must be aware of, however, is that you'll need a shallow boat to fish the area properly, and it is best to do so during high tide to avoid bottoming out.

You may also want to study the surrounding area for landmarks prior to going out because, especially with the changes to the landscape due to the recent hurricanes, you may have difficulty finding your way out and back.

Florida saltwater fishing near the sandbar can help to find not only redfish but also trout now that some of the sandbars have been moved or broken apart. The same can be said of oyster bars that are covered over and sunken wrecks that were moved and shattered. While these movements have made it difficult for knowledgeable anglers to resume Florida saltwater fishing as before, the bits and pieces of these old locations have resettled, creating new homes for saltwater fish.

The Dry Bar, mentioned above, was affected little by the hurricanes and remains much as it was previously, making it a popular spot both for anglers and for fish that know they will find the shelter they desire here.

During the winter, Florida saltwater fishing for reds is best if you follow the trend into the shallow bay where the water is warmer and up into the Apalachicola River, where redfish hang out during the cold months (not that Florida is ever really freezing, but waters do tend to get much cooler in the winter, causing the fish migration). There are over 150 oyster bars in the bay, so you can rest assured that, with a little patience and perseverance, you are certain to locate a few reds, even in the winter time.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on Florida saltwater fishing here: http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com

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Photo Source: Florida Fisherman

When you embark on any kind of trip or excursion, you'll need some sort of expert information in order to prepare yourself for the trials and tribulations you may experience along the way. Of all the various things you can do, leaving for a trip without saltwater fishing tips could be devastating, leaving you without any knowledge of the best techniques and locations so that your trip is fruitless. However, if you equip yourself with tips prior to setting sail out to sea, you'll have a great time and return home with an incredible catch.

Start by choosing the type of fish you wish to target. For example, let's say that you are looking for redfish. These are found readily along the Gulf Coast in the Gulf of Mexico. These beasts enjoy the shallows, so you won't need to target deep waters. In fact, before going out, you may want to find an extremely shallow bottom boat so that you can float the marshy areas close to the shore, looking for redfish lying near the surface of these waters

Other tips refer specifically to striped bass. If you are targeting these popular saltwater fish, you may want to plan a trip to Chesapeake Bay in Virginia in the early or mid spring. They tend to gather here after a long winter further south, near Florida, to spawn and then head north as far as Maine, making the New England states another great location to fish for striped bass.

Some tips reflect mainly on technique for catching a specific type of fish. For example, consider for a moment the flounder. These flat fish like to stay close to the bottom of the sea or ocean in which they are residing and park themselves usually near underwater structures such as reefs and sunken wreckages. Flounder also prefer cooler temperatures, so you'll find that most saltwater tips for catching flounder will direct you away from warmer climates like Florida and further north where the waters stay cooler. Most tips found on flounder will also recommend mullet as bait, with mud minnows and live shrimp being the best backup.

You may find tips on the best locations to produce fish in general without targeting a specific species. For example, in the winter, when fishing is not as easy or productive, most tips will point anglers to warmer areas, such as the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean south down near Florida for the best catch available. This is because many saltwater species migrate down to the warmer waters to wait out the cold prior to returning to their natural habitats for spawning in the spring.

About the Author

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is commited to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on saltwater fishing tips here: http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com

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