February in S.W.Florida is an awesome time of year.  The weather is cooler and there are plenty of fish to harvest. As I am putting my thoughts into this article there are some changes in the Florida waters regulations so make sure you know what they are so you may be in compliance with these changes. Out along the coast there are the close reefs off Stump Pass, Gasparilla Pass, Boca Grande Pass, Captiva Pass, and Redfish Pass. These artificial reefs will be holding sheepshead and flounder. Also on these close reefs you may find some white grunts and mangrove snapper. As you travel around the area where there are trap buoys, take a look and you may spot a triple tail, they look like a plastic bag stuck on the line going to the buoy. It is best if you have a live bait of some type, to cast it to the buoy. Ease your boat into casting range but not to close to spook the fish, then cast a shrimp or a small bait and let it do its thing. Be patient like top water fishing, set the hook when you feel the weight of the fish or you may just pull it out of the mouth. This is great fun and excellent eating too. Moving to the inshore waters the reds shall be on both sides of the harbor and out on the grass flats. You may find them lying in a sand hole where the water is warmer waiting on you to put a bait in striking range so they may have a snack. Trout should be active as well in the grass lying along side the the edges of the sand holes waiting  to ambush in suspecting baits. The bait of choice this time of year is shrimp because that is what is naturally in the local waters. I get my live shrimp from Fishin' Franks. In the harbor around the bridges you can find black drum that you can catch with crabs or shrimp. Pompano can be found around the points where there is moving water with bait to attack. Whiting and silver trout are in some of the deep holes in the harbor. As you fish for these, you may hook into a cobia - they are lots of fun and great eating. And for some real fun, fish for snook around the bridges at night near the shadows and the lights that attract bait where the food chain begins. If you are new to the area and would like some help, I will come on your boat and help you learn some areas and the best tactics to use to harvest fish. And if you have guests coming to the area, we can schedule a trip with Capt Bart Marx as call me at 941-979-6517 or e-mail captbart@alphaomegacharters.com to schedule a fishing trip. And always remember singing drags and tight lines make me smile. <*(((((>{