Many anglers abandon their fishing plans when they see a severe cold front in the forecast, but those who don’t chicken out can score big in the shallows when the chill is on. Over my many years of fishing, I’ve caught some of the largest snook, redfish and trout in the dead of winter, when few souls were willing to brave the elements. It only requires putting on a couple of extra layers, knowing the target species’ tolerance for the cold, and finding a few spots where the water is at the low end of their preferred temperature range.
| Species | Min. Water Temp |
| Barracuda | 55 degrees |
| Bluefish | 50 degrees |
| Bonefish | 65 degrees |
| Flounder | 52 degrees |
| Jack Crevalle | 65 degrees |
| Permit | 70 degrees |
| Pompano | 65 degrees |
| Redfish | 55 degrees |
| Seatrout | 52 degrees |
| Snook | 66 degrees |
| Spanish Mackerel | 62 degrees |
| Tarpon | 70 degrees |
