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Weather Changes Things

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By MIKE ANDERSON

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 17, 2009

GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat

captains and fishing guides. Today: Mike Anderson, right, with "Reel Animals" partner Billy Nobles.

Obviously, things have changed quite a bit during the past week.

Temperatures have fallen well off the charts, and that has changed the way we approach our trips. When winds are up and temperatures are down, some of our favorite inshore species are not affected much. Speckled trout, along with redfish, black drum and sheepshead are not greatly affected because they are tolerant of the cold water.

A quick change like we had this week will slow the bite slightly, but not for long. Once the fish adjust, they usually start feeding again.

Residential canals and power plant outflows are great places to start. The homes on residential canals do a great job of blocking the cold north winds. These canals are also normally a little deeper take longer to cool.

The power plant outflows are a no-brainer. As the bait heads for the warm water, so do the fish. Schools of jacks and loads of smaller sharks show up to try to score a quick meal.

For our offshore species, slightly cooler water is normally a good thing.

Snapper and grouper push closer to shore, with some even invading the Bay area waters.

Before this week's weather arrived, captain Jason Lineberger was reporting great catches of grouper and snapper on the inshore reefs. Again, the sudden change in water temperature will slow the bite slightly, but it should resume once the weather settles.

Catch captains Billy Nobles and Mike Anderson on the "Reel Animals Fishing Show" on Saturdays from 6:30-7 a.m. and Sundays from 11-11:30 a.m. on WFLA, Channel 8, and on Sundays from 8-10 a.m. on 1040 AM. To book a charter, call 1-866-GAMEFISH or visit ree

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