Florida Fishing February Forecasts

FLORIDA FISHING FORECASTS: FEBRUARY

The following is the Great Florida Fishing's curated list of local fishing forecasts around Florida. We share links and information from authoritative sources as well as "locals" to give you the best resource to plan your next fishing excursion. Check back before your next trip for the current fishing forecasts to the area.

 

 

February Saltwater Forecast Overview

February in Florida continues to offer a plethora of fishing opportunities. With the holiday season behind us, it's a peaceful time to visit and enjoy a romantic getaway for Valentine's Day. Winter fishing remains strong, with a variety of fish species being targeted, including those from January.

The Gulf Stream is a prime location for deep-sea fishing, with charters available from Miami to Jacksonville offering the chance to catch Cobia, Kingfish, Groupers, Wahoo, and Sailfish. This is a perfect time to switch things up and try both bottom fishing close to shore and trolling for pelagics further out.

Inshore fishing is not limited to the Panhandle alone. Boca Grande, Tampa Bay, and the entire Sun Coast boast shallow waters overflowing with fish. Redfish take center stage, while Flounder, Trout, and Sheepshead provide a tasty and warming meal at the end of the day.

 

 

February Freshwater Forecast Overview

February is a great time to explore Florida’s freshwater lakes, rivers and streams! Cooler temperatures get the bass active and wanting to spawn.

The fishing is so good during this time of year (November through March) mainly because this is the time that the bass are in their pre-spawn and spawning stages which produce some of the best catches and some of the biggest bass during trips.

With the cooler water temperatures, the larger female bass will begin moving out of the main river into their shallow spawning areas. You can find Winter bass by deep drop offs that allow them to move shallow if the sun heats up the water enough during the day. One of the great things about bass fishing in the Winter is that you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to catch them. They aren't going to bite much until they warm up.

Bass will often hang out in groups during the Winter months so if you catch one, then you should stay a while. You might catch a few more out of the group before they figure out what's going on.

Although Largemouth Bass seem to get all of the attention, Striped Bass, Sunshine Bass. Channel Catfish and Black Crappie are prime targets throughout most of the state as well!