Cold Front Kayak Fishing in SW Florida | Reel Fins Florida

As we move along through the year we start to feel the changes in temperature here in Southwest Florida, it’s finally warming up, but at the same time we are still feeling the effects of a few cold fronts here and there. When it comes to cold fronts many anglers struggle to fish them or avoid them completely. Little do they know that it can be extremely rewarding to fish colder weather! In Southwest Florida luckily our cold fronts are mild enough where we can still enjoy a day out on the water and not be miserable!

Kayak fishing during cold fronts can yield incredible results, but at the same time you can face some challenges. For instance keeping warm and dry can be a struggle due the fact that you’re very close to the water and not to mention usually around this time of year the wind can also have an effect, causing some rough waters even in protected bays. Next challenge you might face is getting to your fishing spots. Even though on a kayak you have an incredible advantage when fishing shallow flats, during the winter months we experience some strong negative tides that make it very difficult to access some spots. In the past I’ve had to get off and drag my kayak over a sandbar or exposed flats even though I can normally navigate in inches of water.

With all that aside, once you get to your spots shifting techniques and baits can help you land more fish during cold fronts. One of the easiest ways to catch almost any saltwater inshore fish during these winter months is on live shrimp. The advantage is the size of the shrimp during this time of year, allowing you to successfully target game fish like redfish and even snook! When using artificial baits I like to down size and slow my technique down. Using small swimbait presentations no larger than 3 inches usually work best for me. Considering the fact that baitfish become very scarce during the winter months here in Southwest Florida, using small presentations produces the best results. Matching the hatch is a vital component to having success on the water no matter what time of year. During the mornings that I can’t make it to the bait shop, I turn to artificial shrimp presentations like the Gulp shrimp or a DOA. Keep in mind that slowing the technique down is a major part of your success while fishing colder waters. During sudden temperature drops our gamefish will become more sluggish and lethargic especially during the early morning hours. 

Waking up early, unloading your kayak at sunrise and getting to your launch spot only to find out that you will have to trek 20 yards through mud just to get your kayak in the water is not fun, but it is very common during our winter tide patterns. Finding fishing spots in these conditions is definitely a struggle but can have big rewards. On days like this I like to find creeks and back bays that have good moving water. These spots will always hold a good amount of fish during cooler days. As the day warms up I move over to finding fish throughout  the flats. Deep holes are very productive as they allow gamefish to abbush bait as they move through the surrounding shallow water. I also take advantage of these crazy low tides to learn the shorelines and contours that are usually not exposed during regular low tides. Even though fishing in these conditions can be difficult it can also be a great learning experience. 

Overall kayak fishing during cold fronts can yield excellent results and also it’s a great way to challenge your skills as an angler. Making the proper shift to your techniques and gear will allow you to be very effective during the cooler days of the year. If you would like to experience what Southwest Florida has to offer when it comes to kayak fishing, make sure to check us out at reelfinsflorida.com. As always thank you guys and tight lines!