Manasota Key Winter Fishing Report

This winter is prime time for a redfish fishing charter around Manasota Key and the surrounding flats. Post-front conditions are excellent, with fish moving from creeks onto warmer grass flats and potholes, feeding heavily on shrimp and sand fleas. When you book a fishing charter with us, we'll target oyster bars and mangrove edges as waters rebound, using live shrimp under a popping cork or free-lined presentations for consistent catches. Our fishing charter reports show solid numbers—even rebounding from past seasons.

The cooler water temperatures have concentrated the redfish into predictable feeding zones, making this an ideal time to book a fishing charter and experience some of the best action Southwest Florida has to offer. The shallow flats throughout Manasota Key are particularly productive during the late morning and afternoon tides when the sun warms the water and triggers aggressive feeding behavior. Live shrimp remain our go-to bait, but don't overlook the effectiveness of fresh sand fleas, especially around the oyster bar structure where redfish gather for warmth and food.

As we transition into late winter, conditions should only improve. The combination of warming trends and incoming tides will push more redfish onto the shallow flats, creating even better opportunities for your fishing charter. Whether you're an experienced angler or looking to book your first redfish fishing charter, now is absolutely the time to get on the water.

It's a fantastic time to book your fishing charter in Southwest Florida! Contact Capt. Mike Slattery at 941-626-6946 to reserve your redfish fishing charter around Manasota Key today and experience why this area remains one of the premier redfish destinations on the Gulf Coast.