Coastal Angler Magazine | January 2026 Sarasota / Bradenton / Venice Edition

SARASOTA/BRADENTON/VENICE EDITION

TROPHY TROUT

@CAMTAMagazine

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FEBRUARY 11-15, 2026

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Nearshore Grocery Shopping TIM BAREFOOT

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anuary marks a shi! in fishing targets, with a focus on species ideal for winter meals. This month traditionally finds anglers pursuing seabass and other nearshore fish, following a tradition passed down from my dad, who favored seabass and flounder for their taste and suitability for freezing. Seabass are not only delicious but also keep well in the freezer, providing a reliable food source throughout the colder months. Flounder, prized for its flavor, remains a favorite for many.

While seeking black seabass close to shore, anglers o!en encounter gag grouper, grey trout, and flounder. However, many of these species have strict creel limits, with retention o!en prohibited in regions like North Carolina.

To avoid catching undersized or barely legal seabass, using larger bait on a jig is recommended. Live pinfish—ideally the size of a tennis ball or baseball—make exceptional bait. If you have access to a marina’s fish cleaning table, pay attention to discarded scraps, as these can help attract

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pinfish. Setting a pinfish trap or using finely cut scraps to chum and cast net for pinfish are effective methods for securing live bait. This technique is not only excellent for larger seabass but also irresistible to gag grouper. The same structures that attract seabass also hold baitfish such as cigar minnows, sardines, and small snapper.

When anchored or spot-locked over structure, keeping a Sabiki rig ready can be invaluable. Keep one person in the boat constantly on the Sabiki providing live baits for the rest of the boat. This will certainly pay dividends.

Be mindful of state and federal regulations of what you can and cannot keep, but this tactic catches everything on the reef without exception. The thing I like about pinfish is everything down there will give a live sardine and a live cigar minnow a fatal attack, but only the critters with a large enough mouth and a bold nature will go a!er pinfish or small snapper.

The goal is not to catch a hundred fish, but to land a dozen high-quality bites—those worth taking home for dinner. Anywhere south and north of North Carolina, flounder is still on the menu for dinner, and a jig paired with a live cigar minnow is the ultimate flounder catching instrument.

Don’t say I didn’t tell you so, but if you take light tackle to some of these nearshore seabass holes, you will lose fish to powerful gags. For nearshore flounder and grouper, opt for heavier tackle—a grouper stick equipped with a four-ounce jig and live cigar minnows or sardines.

The other byproduct of this style fishing will be large drum, which tend to congregate on nearshore structure. Don’t be surprised to catch seabass, flounder, gags, and drum in the same spot. Also don’t hesitate to take chunks of crab or sand fleas for sheepshead. January is a winter wonderland, so make the most out of your nearshore grocery shopping by being prepared for all the possibilities.

Learn more from Tim Barefoot at barefootcatsandtackle.com.

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he flat was silent.

No birds. No bait popping. Only the crunch of frost under my boots and the faint ripple of tide against the shoreline.

Every sensible voice in my PHO TO COURT ESY OF KN head said the fish wouldn’t OCKIN TA IL LURES® feed. Then the line jumped—just once— and everything changed.

For those who chase speckled trout of larger proportions, one truth becomes painfully clear: big winter trout do not give themselves up easily. Cold water slows their metabolism, feeding windows shrink, and mistakes multiply. Most anglers default to the winter mantra—slow everything down. It’s solid advice… but it isn’t the whole story.

Winter trophy trout live in a world of conserving energy. They don’t want to chase far, but they will react violently to the right movement at the right moment. That’s where two tools come together: erratic presentation and precise timing.

Let’s start with timing.

Like many anglers, I once dismissed solunar tables as folklore. As a kid, I’d scan the fish symbols on the calendar before every trip. More fish meant higher hopes. Fewer fish meant lower expectations. Over time, I saw no real correlation and abandoned the idea. But as I matured into a better saltwater angler—and began truly hunting trophy trout—I returned to solunar tables, this time paired with tides and conditions. The difference was undeniable.

These tables aren’t magic. They won’t put fish where they don’t exist. But if you are on fish, they o!en reveal when those fish are most willing to feed.

Many anglers assume the “major” bite is always better than the “minor.” Not true. The difference is duration, not intensity. The major typically lasts about two hours, the minor closer to ninety minutes. Either can be explosive.

One rule I never break: don’t relocate during a feeding window. On a recent trip, I was grinding through a slow morning and nearly moved on. I checked the time—ten minutes before the bite. I stayed. What followed was an aggressive feed that turned a dead stretch into a trophy-class opportunity. Big trout don’t feed o!en. When they do, you’d better be ready.

That brings us to presentation.

In winter, I rely on suspending and slow-sinking lures with erratic, nervous action. When I say “slow,” I mean forward movement—not motion. With a so!, whippy rod, I shake the lure in place with almost no forward travel, then let it pause. Shake. Pause. Repeat. This technique works best with braided line, which transmits every movement without stretch.

Winter trout may be cold—but when timing and motion align, they don’t just bite… they attack. The strike comes without warning. No tap. No thump.

Just sudden, heavy weight and the slow, head-shaking surge of a true gator. In that moment, frozen fingers, long quiet hours, and doubt all vanish. There is only tension in the line and the knowledge that patience, timing, and the right dance delivered the fish you came for.

And that’s why we brave the winter.

Capt. Michael Okruhlik is the inventor of Knockin Tail Lures,® and the owner of www.MyCoastOutdoors.com.

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paddle tails this time of year. Small bucktail jigs and ned rigs are also great choices this time of year.

Pro Tip #3 - Slow down your retrieve. Cold fish can’t move as quickly as warm fish can. It’s really that simple. Whatever retrieve you like to use in the summer months, slow it by 50% and that will probably be just about right for winter.

CAPT. MIKE SMITH Make sure to bounce your jigs, ned rigs and shrimp will most likely be the shrimp off of the bottom. Fish tend to stay near main forage for these fish in the coldest months. the bottom in winter months.

Because fish are cold blooded it is harder Pro Tip #4 - Use longer leaders. Often, for them to digest food when they are cold. It is the water gets gin clear in the winter months. easier on their metabolism to digest a 2-inch fish Because you are retrieving your lures more than a 6-inch fish. slowly, the fish will get a better look at your lines and lures. %is is when a long fluorocarbon leader is the way to go. I like an 8 ft. leader married to a braided line with an FG knot. If you don’t know how to tie an FG knot, then learn. It is a must have part of your fishing arsenal.

Why Fluorocarbon? %e benefits of fluoro over monofilament are no stretching and it sinks. Mono stretches and floats.

Cold water can be a problem for inshore lure fishermen but it doesn’t have to be. Follow the pro tips above and you will catch more wintertime fish.

anuary and February are the coldest months for humans and for inshore game fish. Both species are moving a little slower and are looking for warmth. Fish have it worse because they are cold blooded.

Pro Tip #1 - Find warmer water. Just a couple of degrees can make all the difference between catching and not catching fish during the cold months. Focus on the southern facing shorelines that receive the most hours of sunlight each day.

Conversely, avoid fishing shady spots.

Start fishing later in the day to allow the sun’s power to heat the water. An especially good time to fish is when low tide coincides with the middle of the day. Shallow water is easier to heat up and it concentrates the fish.

If you are fishing during the higher parts of the tide, then you should look for shallow flats that are adjacent to deeper water (8 to 10 ft).

Fish seek out shallow water to warm up after spending the night down deep where the water Capt. Bucky Goldman caught this black temperatures are more stable. drum sight casting a live shrimp.

Pro Tip #2 - Fish with smaller baits. Most of the prey items available to snook, redfish, Use lures 3 inches or smaller this time of speckled trout, flounder and other predatory fish are small this time of year. Small minnows and year. I love to use 2.75-inch shrimp and 3-inch

Capt. Mike Smith, owner of Fish Your Ass Off Charters, is an inshore fishing guide who has been fishing the inshore waters, oyster bars and grass flats of Florida for more than 40 years.

Reach him at (561) 339-2317, email: contact@ fishyourassoff.com or visit fishyourassoff.com.

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The New Year By: Jessica Hendrie

A

s the calendar flips to a new year, anglers everywhere feel that familiar spark of hope, that this is the year to land the fish we’ve been dreaming about. Whether you chase billfish offshore, bass in the lakes, or anything that bends a rod, the New Year is the perfect time to set intentions that make every trip on the water more meaningful. My personal goal this year is to catch a marlin in the country of Panama! Although one of the best resolutions anyone can make is simply to slow down and enjoy the process! Too often, we get caught up counting catches, measuring inches, and comparing photos even though those are still fun themselves. This year, I will be committing to appreciating the hobby over what I can show I did. Something else I challenge you to do this year is to learn something new. We tend to get stuck in our ways thinking we know how to do it, we’ve been doing it for years, however, try to learn a new way, and who knows, it may even lead to more fish in the boat. For all of us who dream big, 2026 can be a year of firsts, bucket list catches and overall experience. Saying all of this brings me to the most important task this year, fish more with people who matter. Invite a friend who’s never been or who’s never even held a fishing pole, take someone who only fishes offshore to a lake, or even schedule that big 2-day fishing trip with your best fishing partner. At the end of the year, that is what you will reflect on and it’ll be pretty cool if you catch fish too. So, here’s to a new year of bent rods, tight lines, and new memories!

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big wintertime schools yet. The water is currently in the mid 60s, so the snook should be moving further into the back, pushing up creeks and rivers, many even so far that they are in fresh water. Wintertime snook are more lethargic, so have patience and look for them in areas where they might be sunning to warm up. There have been some trout around in our area, but it is still a little bit early for the trout-crushing days.

Offshore has continued to be solid. Whether we’ve been looking for predators or table fare, we haven’t been disappointed. Sharks have continued to hang around in big numbers. We’ve consistently been catching blacktips, spinners, hammers, sandbars and have even spotted a few tigers around. If you’re trying for sharks, it is pretty basic, big, bloody baits and heavy tackle.

Make sure that you have beefed up terminal tackle as well. Heavy duty steel leaders and strong circle hooks are a must. If you can’t tie your own steel, pre-made rigs are available. Don’t buy some dollar store rig though, make sure you get something from a solid tackle shop and they’ll have good pre-made rigs. Other top of the food chain predators have been cooperative as well! Jewfish and barracudas have kept rods doubled over!

For eating fish, we’ve been getting some great tripletail and cobia. It has been years since I have seen this many big triples around this early in the season. The cobia have also been actively taking baits. We have been catching quite a few, but most are still a little undersized. Remember, they changed the slot on cobia a few years ago from 34” to 36” to the fork. That doesn’t sound like a big jump, but I have thrown back quite a few 34-35 inchers so far this season. There are also some stud gags around. This past month we have caught some big ones, and even though their season is closed, it is still fun to fight the brutes!

Winter has Started

by Capt. Billy Norris

T

he moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, and brutally hot, rainy days have transitioned into cooler waters and comfortable fishing! We’ve begun to switch gears and are loving the arrival of our cold-water fish like tripletail, cobia, and kingfish!

Bait has been easy to get for the last few months. The beaches have all had pilchards and herring on them. Although they’re shallow, its typically been a one-and-done net throw to black out both wells. However, as the water temperatures continue to drop, we will start supplementing in shrimp as bait. Some of our soon to arrive winter staples like sheepshead, tripletail and permit won’t eat baitfish.

The backwaters have been very productive over the last few weeks.

There have been plenty of snook around, along with redfish. Some nice sheepshead have been around as well, although we haven’t seen them in the

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CATCH AND DINE By: Caitlyn Gatrell

H

ere in Southwest Florida, we have a large variety of species that frequent our waters. Some hang out year-round and others come and go. One thing for sure, the marine life is very abundant, making for some excellent fishing opportunities. To make it even better, if you're a seafood lover, you can keep some of your catches! I mean seriously, nothing's better than a truly fresh meal, one that you caught yourself!

Before you head out there, just note that you must have a valid fishing license, even if you're just here temporarily. In addition, not every species is allowed to be kept, with some even having rules about being out of the water. It is important to be aware of what you are allowed to keep and what to throw back! Also, the species that are allowed to be kept may have various seasons, bag and size requirements, and further restrictions as well. Check with FWC (you can check online easily!) and ensure what's open when you plan to fish and keep catches.

There's a couple species I can attest for, with one being mangrove snapper. These aren't trophy catches, however their numbers are pretty high down here and you can find plenty of honey holes carrying plenty of them. With that being said, mangrove snapper over 10in are allowed to be

harvested with up to 5 per person each day. The fillets are small, but they are juicy enough for some good fish bites, and if you have enough you can definitely make a tasty meal.

Another beloved, tasty fish here are redfish! These fish are open yearround in our region, but only 2 fish per vessel are allowed. You also have to make sure they are in the slot range of 18 to 27 inches, which isn't too hard to find down here. This time of year, brings out some of the best chances at finding and hooking up to them.

An angler, and even non-anglers favorite, snook, is a little harder to keep. The fillets are very meaty and delicious, making it a popular meat amongst some of the others. With snook, you can keep one fish between 27 to 33 inches, per person per day.

Of course, there's more you can discover and keep but these are amongst some of the most sought after. You can work an enticing lure or throw a live or cut bait near the mangroves, flats, oyster beds, and flowing currents to find these fish. Once you get your hands on a fresh, clean, and delicious fillet, you'll want to keep catching your own rather than buy from the store! Sounds like a win to me!

4 SARASOTA/BRADENTON | JANUARY 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

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WINTER TIME TRANSITION By: Joe Sheaffer

D

uring the winter months in Southwest Florida, the weather and the conditions do change. As the winter months approach, inshore species will transition into their winter mode. These seasonal changes may not seem drastic but for many of our target species it can be stressful. The water is cooling, daylight is shorter, our tides are lower, the water is clearer and their food sources are different. We will need to make some changes to the way we fish for them. With a few adjustments to our presentations we can have success during this time of year. The following are a few strategies that have helped me be successful during the winter and they may help you as well. During the winter, I usually wait for the sun to come up and start warming the shallows before I venture out on the water. Sure, there will be times that the weather will be stable and fishing early can be very productive but during and after a cold front many of our species are a little less frisky until the sun comes up. I will spend more time on the deeper edges of the flats and mangroves that are near channels.

As the sun gets up and the water warms I will move shallower, many of our species tend to do the same. My lure presentations will be slow, steady and less erratic. Many days the fish may not be as aggressive and often are looking for an easy target. I like using a smaller presentation like smaller jigs (1/8 oz to 3/16 oz) with paddle tails, artificial shrimp lures can be very effective this time of year simply because that tends to be a targeted prey source. During cold spells, I like to spend more time around hard structures, like docks, sea walls, rip rap, wrecks and deeper holes. These types of areas will often be a bit warmer and still create current and many of our predatory species will feel a bit more comfortable. Using a heavier jig and a more deliberate presentation, like popping the jig off the bottom and letting it sit a little longer has proven to be successful. I surely don’t have all the answers, but I have had success with these strategies and I have confidence that they may help other anglers during this time of year. Good luck and keep casting.

6 SARASOTA/BRADENTON | JANUARY 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

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Sun

12:18

2.4

4:26

1.0

8:19

-0.9

6:27

1.0

7:21

5:49

5

Mon

1:12

2.3

4:18

1.0

9:01

-0.8

7:42

0.9

7:21

5:49

1

AM

PM

ft

6

Tue

12:51

2.1

3:39

1.1

9:10

-0.5

8:26

0.8

7:21

5:51

6

Tue

2:07

2.1

4:33

1.1

9:40

-0.5

8:52

0.7

7:21

5:50

7

Wed

1:48

1.8

3:52

1.2

9:44

-0.3

9:34

0.6

7:22

5:52

7

Wed

3:04

1.8

4:57

1.2

10:15

-0.3

10:02

0.6

7:21

5:51

8

Thu

2:48

1.5

4:11

1.3

10:16

0.0

10:45

0.4

7:22

5:52

8

Thu

4:04

1.5

5:26

1.3

10:48

0.0

11:18

0.5

7:22

5:52

9

Fri

3:52

1.2

4:36

1.4

10:45

0.2

7:22

5:53

9

Fri

5:10

1.2

5:57

1.5

11:19

0.2

7:22

5:52

10

Sat

5:12

0.9

5:06

1.5

12:01

0.3

11:12

0.4

7:22

5:54

10

Sat

6:28

0.9

6:32

1.6

12:40

0.3

11:44

0.5

7:22

5:53

11

Sun

7:20

0.8

5:43

1.6

1:20

0.1

11:30

0.7

7:22

5:55

11

Sun

8:20

0.7

7:09

1.7

2:06

0.1

11:41

0.7

7:22

5:54

12

Mon

6:26

1.7

2:37

-0.2

7:22

5:55

12

Mon

7:50

1.7

3:22

-0.1

7:22

5:55

13

Tue

7:15

1.8

3:43

-0.3

7:22

5:56

13

Tue

8:35

1.8

4:22

-0.3

7:22

5:55

14

Wed

8:06

1.8

4:38

-0.5

7:22

5:57

14

Wed

9:23

1.8

5:11

-0.5

7:22

5:56

15

Thu

8:54

1.9

5:23

-0.6

7:22

5:58

15

Thu

10:09

1.9

5:52

-0.6

7:21

5:57

16

Fri

9:40

2.0

6:02

-0.6

7:22

5:59

16

Fri

10:54

1.9

6:29

-0.7

7:21

5:58

17

Sat

2:07

1.1

6:37

-0.7

4:43

1.1

7:21

5:59

17

Sat

11:36

2.0

7:04

-0.7

7:21

5:59

18

Sun

2:10

1.1

7:09

-0.6

5:36

1.0

7:21

6:00

18

Sun

3:19

0.9

7:38

-0.7

5:48

0.9

7:21

5:59

19

Mon

2:18

1.1

7:39

-0.6

6:27

0.9

7:21

6:01

19

Mon

12:19

2.0

3:11

1.0

8:10

-0.7

6:46

0.8

7:21

6:00

20

Tue

2:26

1.1

8:09

-0.5

7:18

0.7

7:21

6:02

20

Tue

1:02

2.0

3:27

1.0

8:42

-0.6

7:42

0.6

7:21

6:01

21

Wed

12:38

1.9

2:38

1.2

8:38

-0.4

8:11

0.5

7:21

6:03

21

Wed

1:47

1.9

3:50

1.1

9:13

-0.5

8:39

0.5

7:20

6:02

22

Thu

1:28

1.7

2:56

1.3

9:06

-0.3

9:07

0.3

7:20

6:03

22

Thu

2:36

1.7

4:15

1.2

9:42

-0.3

9:39

0.4

7:20

6:03

23

Fri

2:22

1.5

3:20

1.4

9:32

-0.1

10:10

0.2

7:20

6:04

23

Fri

3:32

1.5

4:42

1.4

10:09

-0.1

10:45

0.2

7:20

6:03

24

Sat

3:22

1.2

3:48

1.6

9:55

0.1

11:21

0.0

7:20

6:05

24

Sat

4:38

1.2

5:10

1.5

10:31

0.2

7:19

6:04

25

Sun

4:37

0.9

4:21

1.7

10:11

0.4

7:19

6:06

25

Sun

5:59

0.9

5:42

1.7

12:01

0.0

10:40

0.4

7:19

6:05

26

Mon

6:39

0.7

5:02

1.8

12:41

-0.2

7:19

6:07

26

Mon

7:51

0.7

6:22

1.8

1:24

-0.2

10:07

0.6

7:19

6:06

27

Tue

5:55

1.9

2:05

-0.4

7:19

6:07

27

Tue

7:15

1.9

2:46

-0.4

7:18

6:07

28

Wed

7:02

2.0

3:24

-0.6

7:18

6:08

28

Wed

8:22

2.0

3:59

-0.7

7:18

6:08

29

Thu

8:12

2.1

4:32

-0.8

7:18

6:09

29

Thu

9:34

2.1

5:01

-0.8

7:17

6:08

30

Fri

9:18

2.1

5:27

-0.9

7:17

6:10

30

Fri

10:39

2.1

5:54

-1.0

7:17

6:09

31

Sat

1:47

1.1

6:14

-0.9

7:17

6:11

31

Sat

11:37

2.1

6:40

-1.0

7:16

6:10

10:02

4:35

0.6

1.0

8 SARASOTA/BRADENTON | JANUARY 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

Moon

4419 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, FL 32493 941.493.0025

VENICE INLET

January/2026 • 27°7’N 82°28’W

January/2026 • 27°20’N 82°33’W

www.USHarbors.com

Venice Inlet, FL - Jan 2026 High

Date

AM

ft

www.USHarbors.com

Sarasota, FL - Jan 2026

Low PM

ft

AM

ft

Thu

9:11

2.3

5:13

2

Fri

10:03

2.3

3

Sat

10:57

2.3

4

Sun

3:25

5

Mon

6

Tue

12:49

7

Wed

8

PM

ft

4404 Bee Ridge Rd Sarasota, FL 34233 941.355.7744

SARASOTA BAY

High

Date

Rise

Set

Moon

-0.8

7:19

5:47

1

6:05

-0.9

7:19

5:48

6:54

-0.9

7:19

5:49

1.1

7:39

-0.8

5:49

1.0

7:20

3:27

1.0

8:20

-0.7

7:04

0.9

2.0

3:37

1.1

8:57

-0.5

8:13

1:46

1.7

3:50

1.2

9:31

-0.3

Thu

2:46

1.4

4:09

1.3

10:03

9

Fri

3:50

1.2

4:34

1.4

10

Sat

5:10

0.9

5:04

11

Sun

7:18

0.7

12

ft

AM

ft

Rise

Set

Thu

9:35

2.3

5:53

-0.8

7:20

5:47

2

Fri

10:27

2.3

6:45

-0.9

7:20

5:48

3

Sat

11:21

2.3

7:34

-0.9

7:20

5:48

5:49

4

Sun

3:49

1.1

8:19

-0.8

6:29

1.0

7:20

5:49

7:20

5:50

5

Mon

12:16

2.1

3:51

1.0

9:00

-0.7

7:44

0.9

7:20

5:50

0.7

7:20

5:51

6

Tue

1:13

2.0

4:01

1.1

9:37

-0.5

8:53

0.7

7:21

5:51

9:21

0.6

7:20

5:51

7

Wed

2:10

1.7

4:14

1.2

10:11

-0.3

10:01

0.6

7:21

5:51

0.0

10:32

0.4

7:20

5:52

8

Thu

3:10

1.4

4:33

1.3

10:43

0.0

11:12

0.4

7:21

5:52

10:32

0.2

11:48

0.2

7:20

5:53

9

Fri

4:14

1.2

4:58

1.4

11:12

0.2

7:21

5:53

1.5

10:59

0.4

7:20

5:54

10

Sat

5:34

0.9

5:28

1.5

12:28

0.2

11:39

0.4

7:21

5:54

5:41

1.5

1:07

0.1

7:20

5:55

11

Sun

7:42

0.7

6:05

1.5

1:47

0.1

11:57

0.6

7:21

5:54

Mon

6:24

1.6

2:24

-0.1

7:20

5:55

12

Mon

6:48

1.6

3:04

-0.1

7:21

5:55

13

Tue

7:13

1.7

3:30

-0.3

7:20

5:56

13

Tue

7:37

1.7

4:10

-0.3

7:21

5:56

14

Wed

8:04

1.7

4:25

-0.5

7:20

5:57

14

Wed

8:28

1.7

5:05

-0.5

7:21

5:57

15

Thu

8:52

1.8

5:10

-0.6

7:20

5:58

15

Thu

9:16

1.8

5:50

-0.6

7:21

5:58

16

Fri

9:38

1.9

5:49

-0.6

7:20

5:58

16

Fri

10:02

1.9

6:29

-0.6

7:21

5:58

17

Sat

2:05

1.1

6:24

-0.6

4:30

1.0

7:20

5:59

17

Sat

2:29

1.1

7:04

-0.6

5:10

1.0

7:21

5:59

18

Sun

2:08

1.0

6:56

-0.6

5:23

0.9

7:20

6:00

18

Sun

2:32

1.0

7:36

-0.6

6:03

0.9

7:20

6:00

19

Mon

2:16

1.0

7:26

-0.6

6:14

0.8

7:19

6:01

19

Mon

2:40

1.0

8:06

-0.6

6:54

0.8

7:20

6:01

20

Tue

2:24

1.1

7:56

-0.5

7:05

0.7

7:19

6:02

20

Tue

12:14

1.9

2:48

1.1

8:36

-0.5

7:45

0.7

7:20

6:02

21

Wed

12:36

1.8

2:36

1.1

8:25

-0.4

7:58

0.5

7:19

6:02

21

Wed

1:00

1.8

3:00

1.1

9:05

-0.4

8:38

0.5

7:20

6:02

22

Thu

1:26

1.6

2:54

1.2

8:53

-0.3

8:54

0.3

7:19

6:03

22

Thu

1:50

1.6

3:18

1.2

9:33

-0.3

9:34

0.3

7:19

6:03

23

Fri

2:20

1.4

3:18

1.4

9:19

-0.1

9:57

0.2

7:18

6:04

23

Fri

2:44

1.4

3:42

1.4

9:59

-0.1

10:37

0.2

7:19

6:04

24

Sat

3:20

1.2

3:46

1.5

9:42

0.1

11:08

0.0

7:18

6:05

24

Sat

3:44

1.2

4:10

1.5

10:22

0.1

11:48

0.0

7:19

6:05

25

Sun

4:35

0.9

4:19

1.6

9:58

0.4

7:18

6:06

25

Sun

4:59

0.9

4:43

1.6

10:38

0.4

7:19

6:06

26

Mon

6:37

0.6

5:00

1.7

12:28

-0.2

7:17

6:06

26

Mon

7:01

0.6

5:24

1.7

1:08

-0.2

7:18

6:06

27

Tue

5:53

1.8

1:52

-0.4

7:17

6:07

27

Tue

6:17

1.8

2:32

-0.4

7:18

6:07

28

Wed

7:00

1.9

3:11

-0.6

7:17

6:08

28

Wed

7:24

1.9

3:51

-0.6

7:17

6:08

29

Thu

8:10

2.0

4:19

-0.8

7:16

6:09

29

Thu

8:34

2.0

4:59

-0.8

7:17

6:09

30

Fri

9:16

2.0

5:14

-0.8

7:16

6:10

30

Fri

9:40

2.0

5:54

-0.8

7:16

6:10

31

Sat

1:45

1.0

6:01

-0.8

7:15

6:10

31

Sat

2:09

1.0

6:41

-0.8

7:16

6:10

11:17

9:49

4:22

0.6

0.6

1.0

ft

Low PM

1

AM

PM

10:29

5:02

ft

0.6

1.0

Moon

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S LARGEST CONTINENTAL BOAT TRAILER DEALER

7141 GASPARILLA RD. PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33981

941.698.9902

WWW.WESTCOASTTRAILER.COM FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JANUARY 2026 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 9

WINTER FISHING By: Capt. Terry Fisher

E

very month of every year will present different challenges to all anglers. Understanding when and where to go will make all the difference for catching fish. I am presenting my views from many years of experience, fishing SW Florida waters, in hopes that anglers will gain more advantage when utilizing some of my recommendations together with their own experiences. These recommendations will focus on which species are best to target during particular months on a quarterly basis as follows: Sheepshead will be one of the easiest fish to target as they. Larger fish have moved from the offshore reefs and wrecks to the inland waterways to spawn and eat. They will congregate around and under docks, mangroves, around oyster bars and seawalls, making it easy for anglers to locate. Like many species, they like structure such as piles and rocks. Many anglers will use ‘Mud Crabs’ or Fiddler Crabs to catch them. I keep it much simpler by using shrimps on small bait hooks with a ‘pinch’ weight to assist when casting the presentation.

These fish have a reputation for being difficult to catch. That’s true for any fish that are not in a feeding mode. However, to the contrary, when Sheepshead decide to eat, they virtually will hook themselves due to their aggressive mode.

Snook is a year around favorite or anglers that have a boat and proper equipment such as a trolling motor and power pole. Most all anglers have a desire to land a Snook. If one does not have a boat, canoe or kayak then I suggest fishing from the beach into the troughs and passes of the outer islands. Vessel owners with proper equipment will have good results from just off the beaches, in the canals and up creeks. Artificial presentations will all produce such as swim, crank, soft plastics, and top water. Preferred live baits include pinfish and big shrimps. Snooks favorite live bait requires throwing a cast net for threadfins and white baits, such as pilchards.

Spanish mackerel will begin their migration southward. Artificial presentations such as Gotcha lures, gold and silver spoons produce.

Watch for diving birds and usually anglers will find them at those locations.

Grouper and snapper move within ten miles of the outer islands and some even find locations closer to the islands. The water temperature has cooled. Prior to now, guides and recreational anglers were traveling 40 to 70 miles offshore to find these fish. Nonetheless, I recommend fishing 30 miles out (80-100 ft. water) the months of January-March for the best chances of larger groupers, snappers, triggers and other fish during these months.

This is Captain Terry Fisher with Fish Face Charters, LLC. Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com or call me direct at 239-357-6829. I am available as your ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel (by the hour) for instructions on navigating SW Florida waters, fishing locations and techniques that guarantee every trip will produce fish.

Fish Face Charters | fishfacecharters.com | 239-357-6829

10 SARASOTA/BRADENTON | JANUARY 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

WHEN YOU WANT THE BEST

20 11

-6829

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JANUARY 2026 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 11

Sheepshead Time By: Capt. Dave Stephens

H

ere we are in 2026, Happy New Year! What is the most frequent asked question I have been asked? It's been about have you been catching sheephead, therefore, that will be the topic of this article. During the winter, or should I say cooler months here in Southwest Florida, we have a jail break. This is the time of year when these black and white striped bait thieves spawn. The positive thing about spawning fish is that it brings many of them together, making targeting them much easier. Sheephead are known far and wide for their ability to steal an angler’s bait without the slightest acknowledgment. If I knew the secret to catching more of these fish, I would gladly share it, however, I honestly believe it is being in the right place, right time fishery. I'm going to help you out with the places, however, you will have to figure out the best times. These fish are crustacean eaters, which makes them a light biting fish as they do not have to attack or ambush their meal. They

live around and feed on crusty dock pilings, rock seawalls, and areas with hard bottom. Some of the best baits are shrimp, fiddler crabs, and sand fleas. The trick is to down size your tackle, but stay in contact with the bottom. These fish are not going to chase down their dinner, and I like using a small circle hook weighted down to make contact with the bottom, seems to do the trick. The reason why these fish are such great bait thieves is they spend their whole life feeding on sharp objects, just trying to get the good stuff from the middle and when they feel your hook, they discard it like a piece of shell.

As the waters continue to cool down, sheepshead should be even more plentiful. If these fish are on your target list, now is the time get out there and support your local tackle shops, get a bucket of shrimp, and try to tame the best bait thieves!

12 SARASOTA/BRADENTON | JANUARY 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

Back Bay Xtremes |Backbayextremes.com 941-916-5769

1295 S. Beneva Road Sarasota, FL 34232 941-554-8859 Delivery Available benevaliquor.com

6-14 Foot Cast Nets at Wholesale Pricing!

wholesalecastnets

wholesalecastnets.com FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JANUARY 2026 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 13

Abundant Opportunities By: Capt. Bart Marx

J

anuary in Southwest Florida and the beginning a new year for fishing in our area. This month, there should be plenty of those spotted sea trout hanging out on the grass flats lying in the little sand patches waiting for a non-suspecting bait to swim by and ambush it for a meal. Around the docks and seawalls will be holding sheepshead as their meal of choice is crustaceans. Flounder can be found in closer from the Gulf in preparation to head offshore to spawn. Redfish should be along the edges of the mangroves and in the small creeks throughout Southwest Florida. If you are heading offshore this month there should be plenty of snapper to target. Mangrove and lane snapper are good table fare and they can be found in forty to eighty feet of water, and look for hogfish on some of the bigger ledges and artificial structure. There crustacean eaters too, therefore, if you are heading offshore to fish, take some live shrimp as this will make for great bait to catch

these fish. January is also a good month for white grunts as they like the cooler water and they are plentiful. If you have ever been to the Florida Keys and had grits and grunts these are the fish. They are one of the fish that are very good eating fresh never frozen. And if you mix grunt filets and snapper and fry them you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. We have many ways to catch various species of fish, and if you would like to come along and learn some of these skills feel free to call us!

Many of the newer residents of our area may be unfamiliar with our fisheries and we can help with the fishing learning curve. We provide training on your boat or ours. Feel free to contact Capt. Bart Marx at 941-979-6517, or e-mail me at captbart@alphaomegachartrs.com

Alpha Omega Charters | alphaomegacharters.com captbart@alphaomegacharters.com | 941-979-6517

305-393-1987

salt_to_dirt_lifestyle

14 SARASOTA/BRADENTON | JANUARY 2026 | @COASTALANGLERMAGAZINEFM

Sarasota, Fort Myers, & Naples 941-286-4978 or 239-257-5769

Complete Trailer Repair

• Parts & Installation • Aluminum Welding & Fabrication 2425 Manatee Ave East - Bradenton, FL

941-746-6369

M-F: 8am-5pm Sat: 8am-12pm Sun: Closed

www.aandatrailerhitchcenter.com

Since 1965

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTALANGLERMAGAZINESARASOTA/ | JANUARY 2026 | SARASOTA / BRADENTON 15

Happy New Year

this 36” caught de. n o is d n a Tyler M off Boca Gra cobia

Dylan Madison caught this snook off Gasperilla Sound.

Christine Heffern on Sanibel Island landed this 40 incher.

Logan’s nice red snapper on the Hog Hunter.

k is snoo ught th land. a c e g r Is eo Chris G off Keewaydin g in h s fi

Earl Horecky caught this 38” beauty on Pine Island.

Wyatt his firs Rich from MN tF w Crevall L fish, a 20” J / e ack o n 8 thanks to Bree /24. Special Ell us fish on her is for letting anniver sary.

Brody Nitsche showing off some SWFL reds!

Collin M alloy an da

beautifu l snook !

Photos submitted Courtesy of Coastal Angler Readers and Contributing Writers Submit pics to: camswfl@gmail.com or text to 239.595.8265

FEBRUARY 11-15 • MIAMIBOATSHOW.COM

Islamorada Women’s Sailfish Tournament Jan. 30-Feb. 1

Go for the Gold! Islamorada, FL Keys.

Win trophies, a gold sailfish pendant and a crown! Meet the other anglers!

Fish your own boat or reserve a charter slot when registering.

www.ladiesletsgofishing.com Register in advance online

S Time for the Southeast

SAILFISH

Tourney Season

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inter in south Florida brings an awesome collision of ballyhoo and sailfish that makes for some of the best fishing of the year. It’s also the time of year for some of the richest and most fun tournaments. If you’re interested, right now is the time to register. Here’s a list of some good sailfish tournament events: JAN. 5-7, 2026 2026 Silver Sailfish Derby Sailfish Marina, Singer Island westpalmbeachfishingclub.org JAN. 9-10, 2026 Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament Islamorada • fishforholly.com JAN. 14-18, 2026 Operation Sailfish

Leg One of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series

Sailfish Resort & Marina, Palm Beach www.bluewatermovements.com

JAN. 20-24, 2026 Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament Buccaneer Marina Resort, Riviera Beach buccaneercup.com JAN. 23-25, 2026 Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament 2nd Event of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship

Cheeca Lodge, Islamorada www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com

JAN. 20-21, 2026 Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament 3rd Event of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship

Whale Harbor, Islamorada www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com FEB. 18-22, 2026 Sailfish Challenge

Leg Two of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series

Three checkpoints: Miami, Pompano Beach, West Palm

www.bluewatermovements.com APR. 8-11, 2026 Final Sail

Leg Three of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series

Miami Beach • www.bluewatermovements.com

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uckily, I have never personally been seasick, but I can con!rm that when it gets someone, they look like they legitimately want death.

Watching people board the boat in the morning full of personality, and quickly turning into a quiet, helpless version of themselves breaks my heart every time.

It’s funny, I’ve taken people !ve miles out in flat calm seas and watched them turn green within an hour, while others can ride out a choppy twelvehour sword!sh trip without a single grimace.

Seasickness, or motion sickness, isn’t about toughness. It’s about biology, and knowing how to outsmart it can mean the difference between the trip of a lifetime and one you’d rather forget.

At its core, seasickness is your brain throwing a !t over mixed signals. Your inner ear, which controls balance, feels the constant motion of the boat. Your eyes, however, might be locked on the deck or a smartphone, telling your brain that you’re not moving. This mismatch can confuse the body enough to trigger nausea, cold sweats, dizziness, and that unmistakable “I need the rail” moment.

The good news is that you can do a lot to keep it from happening, or at least keep it from ruining your day.

Start the night before. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is showing up tired, dehydrated, and with nothing in their stomach.

Lack of sleep makes your body more sensitive to motion. Drink plenty of water the day before and have a balanced dinner, nothing too greasy or heavy. And go easy on alcohol, nothing gets people

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon faster than being hungover.

Eat before you board.

An empty stomach is not your friend at sea. Eat a light breakfast with complex carbs and protein; think a bagel with peanut butter or scrambled eggs with toast.

Skip the spicy breakfast burrito...you’ll thank me later.

Pick your spot wisely. The closer you are to the boat’s center, the less movement you’ll feel. On smaller boats, this often means staying near the console or midship. If you’re anchored or drifting, facing into the wind can help you get fresh air, and fresh air is one of your best allies. Whatever you do, don’t lay down and close your eyes, no matter how much you’d prefer to be in the fetal position, this is your enemy.

Keep your eyes on the horizon. Your inner ear is telling your brain you’re moving, and your eyes need to con!rm it. Locking your gaze on the horizon gives your brain consistent information and can stop the mixed-signal meltdown before it starts.

Avoid the downward spiral. Once seasickness takes hold, it can be hard to shake. If you feel that !rst wave of queasiness, act fast. Get to fresh air, keep your head up, and focus on a !xed point.

Capt. Quinlyn Haddon guides with Sweet E’Nuf Charters out of Marathon, The Florida Keys.

(504) 920-6342. www.captainquinlyn.com; IG: @captainquinlyn

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THE FRESHWATER BEAT

HANDLING SEASICKNESS

Know your aids. There are plenty of over-the-counter and prescription remedies, from Dramamine and Bonine to scopolamine patches, but timing matters! Take them before you step aboard, or even get them in your system the night prior to a trip. Ginger candies, wrist acupressure bands, and peppermint gum can also help.

Respect your limits. If you know you’re prone to seasickness, tell your captain ahead of time.

We’d much rather work with you to make your trip comfortable than see you suffer in silence.

Lastly, if you do need to heave, please try to do it downwind of the captain. I dont care if its all over the boat, but truly, I have been puked on more times than I’d like to admit. To the client who got me right in the mouth from 10 feet away on a windy trip, 10/10 for accuracy, but I’d rather not be handing out those awards.

Seasickness is nothing to be embarrassed about as even seasoned captains have had their moments.

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Adjusting to Post-Front Bass

water temperatures. Since Florida lakes, where I’m located, are shallow and cool down quickly PRO ANGLER JOEY BLOOM in the wind, I spend extra time searching for protected areas—canals, marinas, or creek arms—that retain warmth longer. Even a slight increase of a couple degrees can spark !sh activity. I’ve often seen a quiet stretch come hen a powerful cold front sweeps a shaky head or Texas rig along alive after the sun heats it up by midday. across your location, bass !shing grass lines, letting Bait Cave’s lifelike action do If you’re !shing grass-rich lakes, concentrate conditions can shift dramatically the work. That realistic movement and high- on dense vegetation near deeper water—look overnight. A reliable shallow bite can vanish by for hydrilla edges, reeds, or mats. These zones the following morning as water temperatures trap heat and provide bass a sense of safety. I plummet, skies clear, and previously gentle love flipping a Bait Cave Customs creature bait south winds turn into chilly gusts from the into that thick stuff with a heavy rod and braid, north, stripping warmth from the lakes. staying alert for subtle bites that follow a cold Consistency as a bass angler hinges on knowing front. how to adjust your approach after these fronts As the day warms and the barometric move through. pressure stabilizes, don’t rule out reaction baits.

My !rst reminder after a cold front is A suspending jerkbait or lipless crankbait can simple: the !sh haven’t gone anywhere—they’ve entice suspended !sh that aren’t chasing much just changed their mood and location. Most else. largemouth bass dislike cold, high-pressure Cold fronts can be humbling, but they also weather, so they slide off the banks, tuck tighter teach adaptability. Every front is a learning into cover, or suspend near feeding areas. opportunity. Be patient, trust your instincts, Recognizing these subtle changes can turn a and use your con!dence baits—my favorites challenging day into a productive one. are Bait Cave Customs soft plastics and the Returning to productive spots after a front, gear I pick up from Copper State Tackle’s new I slow down and target slightly deeper water.

Inverness, Fla. location. If you’re near there, If I had success with moving baits in two feet check out their shop—they have everything you of water before, I’ll now !sh four or !ve feet need to stay prepared for any conditions. deep with more subtle lures. This is when I rely on my con!dence baits—especially the Joey Bloom is a 2024-2025 National Professional soft plastics from Bait Cave Customs. Their quality construction make a big difference Fishing League Tournament Pro. Follow his stick baits and !nesse worms are essential for during tougher bites. fishing and fun on Instagram, Facebook, my cold-front strategy. I’ll drag one slowly on Another important tactic is seeking stable and YouTube at Joey Bloom Fishing.

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NATIONAL 7

FISHING FOR A GREAT GETAWAY? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN USVI!

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hat you really need to cure those winter blues is a little sun and sand, beaches and rainforests, music and culture, food and fun. And no place delivers the rhythms of the Caribbean quite like St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

ST. THOMAS: St. Thomas’ location near an undersea canyon makes it one of the best places in the world to catch massive !sh—we’re talking up to 350 pounds or more!

Inshore, offshore and deep-sea !shing charters like Offshore Adventures and Double Header Sportfishing offer half or full-day excursions into waters teeming with blue marlin, yellow!n tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi and more. Or if you’d rather combine a little work and play, Virgin Islands Sportfishing can customize a trip that includes plenty of !shing, plus a place to stop for cocktails to celebrate your big catch.

For an adventure to remember, book a trip to Coral World Ocean Park, where you can scuba dive or swim with dolphins, sea lions and turtles. (Guides are provided and no certi!cations are required). The park’s 5 acres also include aquariums, outdoor pools, nature trails and other marine experiences.

The littles on your list will never forget a trip to the hands-on Pirates Treasure Museum, where kids (and kids at heart) can steer a virtual pirate ship through a storm, learn all about submarines

and even search for pirate booty — before scoring their own pirate-themed merch in the museum gift shop, of course.

ST. CROIX: The outdoors and history blend beautifully on St. Croix.

Thrill-seekers can fuel their adrenaline rush with a ride on the Carambola Zip Line, which delivers a heart-pounding 200-foot vertical drop before racing 2,500 feet across a lush tropical valley.

You can also explore some of the island’s more remote reaches on a two-hour Gecko’s Island Adventures guided ATV tour through trails and forests you simply can’t access by car. These treks require a sense of adventure combined with a little grit, but the stunning views that await are oh, so, worth it.

Those wanting a more relaxing vacation will love exploring St. Croix’s historical towns, where you can wander among buildings that haven’t changed much in hundreds of years. All of the exploring will work up quite an appetite, so be sure to book a tasty food tour while you’re here! Companies like Virgin Islands Food Tours or Taste of Twin City Food Tour will help you eat and drink your way around town, while a Christiansted Sip & Savor Mixology Class teaches guests how to make three signature cocktails mixed with local Cruzan Rum and tropical ingredients.

ST. JOHNS: Don’t be fooled by the smallest of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands. St. John

absolutely delivers when it comes to uncrowded beaches, relaxation and unspoiled natural beauty. More forested and less developed than its sister islands, it offers the perfect escape for those looking for a true “check out from civilization” getaway.

That seclusion and natural beauty make it one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations for romantic getaways. Book a luxury stay at The Westin St. John Resort Villas or Lovango Resort & Beach Club. Reserve a table at !ne restaurants like ZoZo’s at Caneel Bay or casual joints like Skinny Legs Bar & Grill. Book a Cruz Bay Watersports sunset sail or a Night Kayak glow tour.

Another unique way to explore St. John’s pristine beaches is on horseback. Book a ride with Carolina Corral to take a guided trail ride along coral-strewn shorelines before making your way up a sloping hillside that leads to sweeping views of Coral Bay.

NEED MORE INSPIRATION? Check out www.VisitUSVI.com.

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