Moving to the back

As the winter fronts add up it’s only a matter of time before the combination of wind and cooler water temperatures push some of our favorite game fish deeper into the back country in order to find more moderate conditions. This is particularly true along the upper east side of Charlotte Harbor where the dark bottom heats up quick as the morning sun comes up. For sure, dark bottom habitat heat up quicker and holds heat longer than lighter sand bottom. Moreover, the  complex labyrinth of mangrove islands do a great job of keeping the cool winds at bay. Yet, The low water that comes with these conditions can make navigation difficult in the back country. As a result, it’s not a bad idea to explore during the days highest tide. Without a doubt, it also helps if you have access to a shallow draft skiff.