The Week of Winter... January 29th, 2026

Cold fronts and their impact.

 A cold front has recently pushed through South Florida, bringing cooler air, gusty northwesterly winds, and shifting conditions for anglers this week. The front has chilled the water temperatures and stirred up the water column. Timing the tide and sun exposure is the key right now.

 NOAA notes winds will settle through Friday, but a stronger front is forecast to arrive Saturday with higher winds and building seas. Plan trips around today and tomorrow for an offshore window.

Inshore Bite

 Inshore fishing has been a little tough overall this week, with fish responding to colder water and the strong wind early this week. There are still consistent opportunities to be had if you can brave the cold.

Customer Reports:

• Sheepshead & Drum: Around structure (Docks, Bridges, & Inlets.) Fiddlers and live shrimp are working best. Some anglers have even landed a few on fly while targeting Pompano!

• Redfish & Trout: Bite has been spotty locally, focus on deeper channel edges and warmest water on incoming tide. Many locals have traveled north to Mosquito, Banana River, Northern IRL, and have had great days on Redfish reporting 7-8 fish day all between 25-35". Local guides in Stuart have reported a few "Louisiana Sized Bulls" around the bridges but I wouldn't count on targeting them specifically

• Snook: Still showing around docks and bridges but cooler temps have them less aggressive. Sweeping snook jigs & slow rolling swimbaits around the bridges will be your best bet with this cold water, a few big fish have been caught with most anglers waiting for snook season.

• Pompano: Pompano fishing on Sailfish Flats has been good. Starting on a dead low tide and waiting for the fish to funnel on the flats. Light jigs or shrimp have been the go to.

 Letting the sun warm the water midday and catching and incoming tide have been the best shot at finding warmer water with most reports of water temps in the low 60's.

Offshore & Sailfish

Sailfish: Winter time Sailfishing is here, but it hasn’t turned into a huge bite yet. Down south, Captains report that most boats with kites up are seeing a few shots each trip, and multiple releases have been reported on days when conditions eased.

Local Captain's Reports:

• Sailfish: Scattered but present, from Stuart south, live baits under kite out in the 150–225′ range when seas allow. Live bait (Threadfins & Pilchards) have been available for purchase from local bait guys. Catching your own has been hit or miss for most customers.

• Mahi & Tuna: Mahi reported and Blackfins caught from offshore trips out of Stuart. Pushbutton hill has been the spot as always with additional mixed pelagic action reported in Ft Pierce & Jupiter this week.

• Bottom & Snapper: Bottom bite is steady in Ft Pierce with a few mixed bags, but not red-hot.

 Overall, It’s a steady pick, you never know what you'll troll or drift over. There are fish to be had if you hit the right windows of wind and tide.

 The largest Great White Shark recorded in the Atlantic was off the coast this week. "Contender" has been spotted off the St Lucie Coast. Estimated 14 feet and 1,700lbs. We'd recommend staying out of the water, if hypothermia doesn't get you this week Contender may... and if you decide to try to catch this beast, "you're going to need a bigger boat."

Best Opportunities This Week

Today & Tomorrow:

Inshore: Cooler waters from the front have cranked up activity around structure for Sheepshead & Black Drum, and the shallows are holding Trout & Redfish on incoming tides. (Go north for your best shots at redish.)

Offshore: Sailfish, Mahi, & Blackfins have been reported for the Captains that found the weather window and were able to run some fish over. Many reports of slow days and small Sailfish. 

Saturday & Sunday:

A second cold front and stronger winds are expected! Offshore conditions will get tougher and rougher. Plan inshore or sheltered trips if conditions deteriorate. It's a good weekend to rig tackle and plan future trips post front!

NOAA Marine Weather Snapshot

This Week (Vero Beach to Jupiter area)