When Gulf temperatures reach their lowest, usually ! in late January, many fish are, practically speaking, trapped in these warm spas because Gulf water temperature would be lethal to them. Trapped or just relaxing in the warm water, these fish are ready to bite.

The simplest and most effective way I’ve found to catch these fish is to hook half a fresh shrimp on a plain jig head, cast it out then reel it back in very slowly. Two to four inch plastic Shad or curl tail grubs on the same jig head will catch fish too but you will have to jig or swim them to add action. A jig head with fresh Shrimp is the closest method to "no brainer" fishing I can think of. Simply cast, reel slowly and expect to get a bite every other cast. It doesn’t get easier than this.

A light action spinning rod is my rig of choice. Six to eight pound test line with 1/8 to 3/8 ounce jig heads is all you need. I seldom use a shock leader, preferring instead, to tie my line directly to the jig.

Fish almost anywhere within the first two miles of the big springs in these rivers and you will catch fish. Fish within about two hundred yards of the barrier at the end of the warm water discharge at the power plant and expect a large variety of fish.

Some days I catch a half dozen species. Redfish, Sheepshead, Speckled Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Ladyfish, Jack Crevalle, and Catfish are the most common in the rivers. At the Power Plant discharge, you can catch the above listed species plus Pompano, Cobia and Grouper. Once in a great while, someone hooks a big Tarpon. Largemouth Bass, Bluegills, and Gar often join in when you are fishing far up the rivers. Expect to catch thirty or more fish per person per day.

When the weather is cool on the Nature Coast, fish warm water and experience hot fishing.