What February Brings for Backwater Anglers
Bringing in the new year has brought in a very hot bite — and the fish are definitely cooperating. Redfish, trout, and snook are stacked up in schools around large pods of mullet, finger mullet, and shrimp.
Water clarity right now is outstanding, making for excellent sight fishing. My good friend Dave McKinnon and I have been on a tear lately, throwing one-eighth-ounce jig heads with white paddle tails and consistently catching trout, redfish, and snook.
As water temperatures continue to cool, the mullet pods are getting bigger and more concentrated. With late January bringing record-low cold snaps, fish schools should only become more abundant. Looking ahead to February, expect the bite to heat up even more, especially with the continued clear water helping sight fishermen.
Fishing Live Mullet Like a Pro
If you’re fishing live mullet, I recommend hooking a circle hook through the anal fin or using chunk mullet — both work well depending on your target. I prefer hooking through the anal fin for larger trout and snook, while big redfish tend to favor chunk mullet.
I also finally got to take Michael Mann, product manufacturer for Tupat’s Authentic Sauces, out on the water. We enjoyed a great day and caught an abundance of fish.
Cast Em… Hook Em… And Catch Em!
Best Days to Fish:
February: 1-3, 7-8, 14-19, 23-25
A seasoned fishing guide with an unparalleled knowledge of the area’s backwaters. Beyond the boat, he’s a talented photographer, capturing the natural beauty of Florida’s coast. Patrick is also the creator of Tupat’s Hawaiian Poke Sauce, a culinary favorite featured on menus throughout the United States.
Ponce Inlet February 2026 Tide Chart
