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Captain Leon Dana’s
Fishing Forecast

While February, March and April may feel cold in North East Florida – the bite can
be red hot! With water temps hanging around in the low 60’s the trout, sheepshead
and black drum’s bite can be steaming hot. When fishing for sea trout I love fishing
soft plastics with a chartreuse tail. Trout tend to bite when the bait is falling in

the water column. Sheepshead will be moving inshore and hanging around hard
structures. Fiddlers and live shrimp are bait of choice for these toothy critters.
Black drum will be found on the “drop downs” of the ICW. Using shrimp and jigs
will produce best for you. Remember that fish feed in two speeds this time of
year and that is “slow and stop” so don’t move your bait fast. Redfish will also
be working the banks and flats in schools and the best time to get them will
probably be mid-day as the mud heats up just a few degrees more than the
channels – the fish will always gravitate to a warmer spot. Good luck and I’ll
see you in the Valley. Capt. Dana palmvalleycharters.com.

February

Now’s the time to get in on the booming backcountry action. Your
best bet is to hit the shallow waters at the muddy flats, where
you can find and hook dozens of Redfish as part of a normal
morning trip.

March

March is typically when the water slowly starts heating up again,
meaning there’ll be more bait fish available very soon. Until then
you can have a good time casting some flies for local Bluefish.

April

Sheepshead will make their way inland during spring, so
you won’t need to go too far for them. The best fishing is

tide-dependent which makes heading out with a skilled charter
captain all the more valuable.

Source: Fishingbooker.com

9 | LIFE IN ISLE OF PALM S February 2022