We're now paying the price here on the Space and Treasure Coasts. With no hurricanes or major rain events this past year, water levels are treacherously low and salinity levels are on the rise. October was one of the warmest and driest months on record. To top it off, it seems the wind blew for a month straight. Isn't October supposed to be a month of change?

The record highs finally subsided around the first week of November and things began to get back to normal. I, along with others, will be glad to see 2009 as a memory.

Average winter temperatures will range from the low 50s in the mornings to the mid 70s by the middle of the afternoon. Water temps will range from the middle to high 60s to as low as the mid 50s during extended cold periods. During these cold fronts, the morning bite can be little to non-exsistent for many anglers, so do what I do. Sleep in! But, each passing cold front means an eventual warm up of the grassflats and offshore waters. Then it will be the time to get out and wet your lines!

Here's the skinny:

Trout/Redfish: Trout and reds will spend a majority of their time seeking warmer waters in the deeper troughs and holes along the ICW. During Florida's winter bluebird days, these species can be found sunning themselves in sandy "potholes" and atop the oyster bars of the shallows. A slow presentation along the edge of the holes with your favorite crank or soft bait should send the sunning predator into a feeding frenzy. When fishing the deeper holes and drop-offs, utilize popping cork rigs with either a live, dead or plastic shrimp. The popping action of the rig will normally bring the fish up and out of the deeper waters.

Black Drum: Large migrating schools of black drum can be found swimming, feeding and lounging north of the Pineda Causeway and in the Banana River "No Motor Zone." Live shrimp, dead shrimp and cut clams... well, just about anything will account for many of the monster catches. I recommend not using anything lighter than a 20-pound rig with 60-pound leader on these giants. Between grinding their heads into the bottom and running back into the school, the lighter rigs just won't hold up during a long battle with these brutes.

Inshore Trolling:  Wintertime means trolling deepwater plugs along the deeper edges and troughs of the ICW for keeper snapper and grouper. It will take a good bottom finder for consistent catches of these prized offshore fish. If the winds will let you, try "slow trolling" with your trolling motor instead of your main engine.

Sebastian Inlet: Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead and drum will account for much of the wintertime catch west of the jetties. Silver spoons, jigs and windcheaters are the inlet angler's weapon of choice. For those brave enough to weather the wintertime blows, try fishing at night on an incoming tide.

Offshore: Bottom fishing for grouper and snapper is always consistent this time of year on the deeper ledges, reports Capt. Billie Stewart of Rouge Wave Fishing Charters. Drop fishing with jigs and live bait will account for much of the bottom catch. The kingfish bite will be dependant on the cycle of winter storms and water clarity. Within the next month, the National Marine Fisheries Service will be voting on the new bottom fishing regulations concerning these species. If you're an offshore bottom fishermen, it's now that the Coastal Conservation Association/Florida can use your support. 

Dive Report:  Lobster divers report that both spiny and shovelnose catches have been consistent on the 90- to 120-foot ledges. As usual, the 40- to 60-foot ledges have been picked clean early in the season. Grouper and snapper will be lining up for the spear fishermen on the reefs getting ready to breed in the shallower, inshore waters. Due to the cold water and deeper dive, Nitrox is recommended for those divers doing multiple drops during the winter months. Get your spear fishing in now-it may be your last for many years!

Waterfowl: Flats fishermen and waterfowl hunters will be sharing the grassflats through Sunday, January 31, 2010. Flats fishermen are reminded that these outdoorsmen only get to enjoy their sport for 60 days a season. A 300-yard buffer will let hunters and flats fishermen enjoy their traditions.

"See you on the boat or in the blind!"

Capt. Jeff Kraynik