Orlando Area Fishing Report

For the past week, we have had record breaking cold weather in central Florida. Nighttime temperatures in the 20's with minimal daytime warming dropped the temperature in the inshore Lagoons into the 40's. We have finally turned the corner and it is back to more normal weather. While the cold killed lots of snook, turtles, large trout, and other fish, the redfish and black drum seem to have survived quite well. With the warm weather next week, they should begin to feed heavily on the shallow flats. The few areas that are still holding mullet are also holding redfish. Small baits such as the DOA 3" CAL and the DOA shrimp have been effective the past two days as well as dark colored flies in size 4. For at least the next few days, slow presentations along the bottom will be the most productive. With lots of big female breeder sized trout have succumbed to the cold, I would encourage everyone to practice catch, photo, and release so we can have healthy populations for the future.