Southwest Florida Fishing The fish are feeling the affects of cold temperatures and have moved to winter haunts. It can be a hard day of fishing to someone who as never fished in Florida after the water temps drop. First snook can become pretty evasive and when located can be sluggish just after a front. Second you got to know where they go, if you think you going to catch a snook at the same spot your catch’em in the spring you better think again. Snook are a tropical species of fish and cannot tolerate water temps below about 56 degrees. So you say you don’t believe the water is that cold yet well it’s not. I learned a long time ago snook are smart, period and big snook are smarter. So they immediately move to areas they know will hold warm water at the fist sign of a cold fronts the quickly move across Florida. One key to look for is flow no flow equals colder water. But just like your favorite spring or fall snook spot there are just as many winter spots. Redfish have been good targets on the low tides, as they just can’t seem to keep their tails down. So when the tide starts rising look to those shallow flats and I’m sure you will see some tailers. Kingfish have left the scene as fast as they came, I will be fishing the annual Palm Island Kingfish tourney this weekend and I’m sure it will be a 75-100 mile run south to pull it off this year. Oh but how sweet is the victory running a new 27 foot contender at 60 plus MPH will get us there and back in plenty of time. I'll post some photos for you guys on my next report. “Good Things Come To Those With Bait” Capt Andy Boyette