Even though February weather is notoriously uncooperative, the fish are usually hungry. But Northwest Florida anglers need to fish on the fishes’ terms, not on their own. Winter fish are in different places than at other times of year. Largemouth bass prefer deep water where it’s warmer, but some time during the month as it warms up, they begin a transition to their spawning locations.

Warm days between fronts make prime grouper window for anglers like James Burke, who boated this gag off Keaton Beach.

These “bed” sites are in shallow water, but fish usually reach them by following deep channels or creeks. Bass filter into these spawning spots gradually as the water temperature reaches the 60s. If the temperature drops, a deep, warmwater refuge needs to be close at hand. As the weather stabilizes in the mid 60s between fronts, the fish will stay in shallow water for several days.

Plastic worms are good lures for these pre-spawn fish because you can work them slowly through the bedding areas. Little or no weight is all that’s necessary to fish these shallows. Spinnerbaits are also great—if you retrieve them slowly. When the fish are guarding the bed, cast a small jig or lizard right into the beds for good results.

Lake Talquin has numerous coves and flats typically used by spawning bass. Coves on the north, or Gadsden, side of the lake usually warm up quickest and see the earliest spawning activity. Rocky Comfort, Little River and Oklawaha are three larger coves worth fishing. The east side of Little River has extensive shallow flats that are also productive. Ditto that for the east side of Oklawaha. When the water warms up later in the month, the stump fields east of Williams Landing on the Leon side also host spawning activity.

Saltwater anglers should look for out-of-the-way and out-of-the-wind places to fish. During cold weather, the Ochlockonee River offers many options for redfish and speckled trout fishermen. The Sopchoppy River joins the Ochlockonee through numerous tidal creeks and tributaries that are protected from the weather. These tributaries offer good possibilities for catching reds and trout in the many deep holes that dot these creeks. Incoming tide seems the most productive this time of the year, but falling tide is usually better the rest of the year.

Another place worth wetting a line is in Carrabelle River around the bridge. There are several deep holes here and farther upriver that attract both redfish and trout. Most of this consists of bottom fishing with shrimp and cutbait.