Baby tarpon strike flies with abandon in brackish and fresh headwaters.

Saltwater fly fishing isn’t always about sun-baked flats kissed by light winds, and bathed by sparkling warm water and battalions of tailing fish. Sometimes Florida fly fishers have to literally run for cover once December cold front winds arrive. But there are some good alternatives to getting blown out on wide-open flats, inshore bays or out in blue water.

Sheltered waters not only give you a relative lee in which to fly cast, such environs happen to hold fish at this time of year, too. And remember that less chilly wind on the surface translates into warmer water temps in many cases.

When we do have a window between cold fronts, flats fishing can certainly shine. The farther south you fish, the better when it comes to water temps—and air temps for those of you who hang up your fly rods when you can’t wear shorts all day.

Statewide, redfish are the most dependable and widespread species for sight casting during winter. Before going into specific areas, here’s the general rule: Redfish are pretty tolerant of chilly water, and in fact show a propensity to school up as the mercury falls. That may or not please you, depending upon your favorite style of redfishing, and your past experiences with schooling fish. Whatever you do, resist the urge to “flock shoot” at redfish schools. Always pick out an individual, even if they are rubbing gill covers. Your accuracy will be better.

Northeast fly fishers tuck into oyster and spartina-lined creeks where reds and trout look for a place to warm up. Such places also lend a bit of wind protection. Fly fishers from Amelia Island to St. Augustine seek out reds in some of the clearest water of the year, mainly on bright, sunny days during the bottom half of the tide. During low water, reds are easier to locate, plus, the shallower water warms up more quickly over the mostly dark mud and shell bottom. Expect water temps in the mid-60s this month, and fish that appear a bit sluggish. School fish will eat, however, due to competition, and a lack of forage at this time of year. Top flies in this area include black Clouser Minnows and various fiddler crab patterns.

Mosquito Lagoon will give up good numbers of reds, as will most of the northern end of the Indian River, and afternoon may be the best time to see them up shallow. Same goes for seatrout, which are far spookier than reds, if sight fishing is your plan. If the weather is mild, morning hours can be productive times to cast poppers and Muddlers to lee shore mangroves, or potholes dotting grassy flats, though cold spells dictate that you fish midday until late afternoon. The potholes and white spots, and spoil island dropoffs abutting the Intracoastal Waterway, hold your best shot at a big trout, and snook, particularly if mullet are available.