Charlotte Harbor/ Pine Island fishing report

As we begin a new year and look at the weather trend, it appears we may be in for a cool wet winter. After spending a few days up in Charlotte Harbor along the east side and in Pine Island Sound this was definitely what I encountered. For the most part, particularly in the sound, the water was clear. As I’ve seen in previous years, the birdlife in the sound was incredible. The water temperature was in the upper 50’s which is definitely on the cool side. Spotted sea trout are plentiful and chewed well on the better tides when there was a little bit of chop and some cloud cover. Under high pressure and blue bird skies they were not very aggressive. Although they’re not comfortable in the cool water, I am seeing good numbers of small snook and some larger ones along many mangrove shorelines. Right now, most can be seen laid up in the sand off the shoreline trying to warm up after the cool nights. In the back country along with the snook, I am seeing some redfish and in many cases their out away from the shoreline out towards the middle of creek systems just warming up on the sandy bottom. I seem to see them too late and startle them as they’re actually outside the skiff while I’m poling looking up towards the shoreline. Moreover, many of the reds have been upper slot size. It has been shallow out there so be careful and keep and eye on the tides. Keep in mind, if the wind is blowing out of the north it pushes water out and will make a low tide even lower.