10,000 Islands Fishing Forecast for January

One of the best times to fish in the 10,000 Islands is going to be the month of January. During this time, winter is in full swing, which means you will have the pick of a wide variety of fish. The bonus? The cooler and much more comfortable weather will make for a more pleasant fishing excursion.

January is one of Florida's cooler months, with temperatures dipping into the 70s. The water is cooler, the weather is milder, and it is just more comfortable for the angler as well as the fish.

You can find a good amount of speckled sea trout during this time of the year. If this is your objective, be sure to explore the flats. Speckled sea trout is also one of the more popular and targeted fish species at this time, so make sure to check the FWC website for any new regulations that may have come out for the state of Florida.

While you are fishing around the flats, keep an eye out for bluefish, ladyfish, jacks, Spanish mackerel, and a few pompanos. For these fish, DOA jerakbaits and shrimp are ideal.

You can also find sheepshead and redfish in January. However, these fish can be found around the oyster bars rather than the flats. For more success with these fish, try using small shrimp and fiddler crabs as bait. The best time for these fish is during the incoming tide when they are the most active. You can even try sandflies as they are attracted to these as well.

Snook can be found swimming around the mangroves in the backwater areas. You can also sometimes find them around the oyster bars. Snook prefer natural bait or jigs. Keep in mind that during January, snook are catch and release only. 

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to catch fish in the 10,000 Islands during January as long as you know where to go and want to enjoy the beautiful weather. 

If you aren't from the area and want to learn more about fishing here, you can charter a boat and hire a professional guide before you go out. This way, you can gain local knowledge of tackle, baits, and the best areas to fish to find the most success.

We hope your new year gets off to a great start! Happy fishing!

Tight Lines,

Captain Brandon

If you find yourself in Everglades City stop in at the marina and check out the days catch. We are now located at Everglades City Marina, 200 Collier Avenue, Everglades City, Florida, 34139. If you would like to book a trip, give us a call at 239-571-1756. Or visit us at www.captainrapps.com.