Reports coming in from around the state. Cold is killing snook, snapper, seatrout...north of Tampa Bay, waters in Waccasassa Bay were 43 degrees and snapper were expired along with so many other fish. Turtles, birds and other sealife are feeling it on the East and West Coasts of Florida. We'll have reports next week on the numbers here and in Texas. You can do a service by reporting and information is welcome.
A guide friend called and reported he was asked if he would take a party on a snook DIPPING trip...Law Enforcement is still on the job folks, use common sense. Capt Scotty Moore, January 6 sent in the photos used in this report - Capt Scotty says "Lots of Snook having trouble in the canals and we believe we'll lose some by next week." These fish are 20 lbs plus. Photos are from Bradenton, FL area
Capt. Troy P. Sapp, January 7, 2009: They are near death in the Palm Harbor area. Just saw 1/2 dozen dead ones and over a 100 large fish barely able to move. It appears that most of these fish will not survive another couple of nights. This area is one of the winter haunts for the Honeymoon Island stock of fish. Water temp is 46. Capt. Troy, Fins and Tails Guide Service, Florida Guides Assoc. Senior Vice Pres.
January 9, 2009 - water temperature at 46 degrees around Crystal River with 100s of dead fish including very large snook, as well as trout and redfish.
With more cold weather on the horizon we expect there will be a lot of disoriented snook. We had a few inquiries about handling and reporting cold-killed or cold-affected snook. First, please do not disturb snook affected by the cold. Expect to see snook bunched up in deep water anywhere water temperatures are warmer. In colder water they will be lethargic ganging up to float close to the surface over muck bottom. Many may even appear dead, lying on their side or back. It's best to leave them undisturbed because even a snook that appears dead may revive as the sun brings up the water temperature.
This is the best snaggin' and giggin' weather ever. Wish I still lived down south,I'd be getting my share.
Makes ya wonder,where's Al Gore and his save the worls posse? I believe our wildlife is just as important as those polar bears floating away on ice berg chunks.This global freeze we're having is pretty tough on the critters. You should see all the dead nanner spiders at my place.
I love them Lacy. I had hundreds of them around my dog pens and hog pen all summer and had zero flies. They do a great job,I tried fly predators a few years ago and they didn't work that well.In fact one of y boys albost got a butt whippin' for killing one.
bunch of dead snook and a few trout by the dock in oakhill by my house
