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 FISHING FORECAST OVERVIEW

February in Florida often includes cooler mornings, periodic cold fronts, and notably lower water temperatures. Despite these seasonal changes, anglers can still find plenty of success by adjusting tactics to match the conditions. A few days of stable weather, particularly after a cold front, usually sees fish feeding more aggressively. Slower, more deliberate presentations and live bait can be the key to enticing bites in these chillier waters.

 

PANHANDLE & BIG BEND

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

Temperatures in the Panhandle and Big Bend region tend to run colder than the rest of the state, and cold fronts can bring gusty winds. If conditions calm down between fronts, it’s a great window to find active fish.

INSHORE TARGETS

Speckled Trout commonly move to deeper holes and channels where water temperatures are more stable. Slow-presenting soft plastics or suspending plugs can be effective. Redfish are often on shallow flats when the sun warms the water. A gold spoon or a shrimp-tipped jig can coax them to strike.

NEARSHORE/OFFSHORE OPPORTUNITIES

Sheepshead school around bridges, pilings, and reefs. Light tackle and small baits like fiddler crabs or shrimp help detect their subtle takes. Grouper and Snapper still linger on deeper reefs and wrecks. Jigging or bottom fishing with live or cut bait close to structure can produce quality catches.

TIPS

Look for a break in the wind after a front passes; once the water clears and settles, the bite picks up. Time your outings for midday or early afternoon when slightly warmer water activates fish.

 

NORTH & NORTHEAST FLORIDA

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

The water in this region remains on the cooler side through February, with fish responding strongly to changes in barometric pressure. They often feed heavily just before a front arrives.

INSHORE TARGETS

Redfish and Trout tend to concentrate in deeper cuts or creek bends. Live shrimp on jigheads or slow-rolled soft plastics are solid choices. Black Drum appear around bridges and deeper channels; a bottom rig with shrimp or small crabs draws their attention.

NEARSHORE/OFFSHORE OPPORTUNITIES

Sheepshead cluster around the jetties and rocky spots. Patience and a sensitive rod are crucial to feel their light bites. Snapper and Grouper (where permitted) can be found on reefs and wrecks; cut bait or vertical jigs can be effective.

TIPS

Focus on fishing midday to take advantage of slightly higher water temperatures. Switch to lighter leaders if the water is particularly clear.

 

EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

While cold fronts still impact the area, the Gulf Stream often keeps coastal waters a bit warmer. Watch for spells of windy weather that can limit opportunities offshore.

INSHORE TARGETS

Seatrout and Redfish hold around mangroves, docks, and other structure, especially if the sun has had time to warm the flats. Snook may be found in deeper basins and canals during colder spells; present live shrimp or slow-moving artificials near cover.

NEARSHORE/OFFSHORE OPPORTUNITIES

Cobia can appear near rays or debris lines close to shore; bucktail jigs or live bait will draw strikes once they’re spotted. Sailfish and Mahi activity can be good offshore, particularly on days with calmer seas. Trolling ballyhoo or drift fishing with live baits is popular.

TIPS

Pay attention to water temperature breaks or color lines offshore—those spots often hold pelagics. Calm days after a front are prime for running offshore.

 

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

Warmer weather prevails, but periodic fronts still cause shifts in wind and temperature. Water can be quite clear, so lighter fluorocarbon leaders may be necessary.

INSHORE TARGETS

Snook gather around bridges, inlets, and canals where water remains slightly warmer. Drifting live pilchards or pinfish is a classic approach. Tarpon patrol bridges and deeper channels; they get more active on warming trends. Live shrimp or mullet will tempt them.

NEARSHORE/OFFSHORE OPPORTUNITIES

Sailfish season is in full swing off Palm Beach and Miami, with kite fishing being a standout method. Kingfish, Mahi, and Wahoo can all be found along reef edges or color changes; slow trolling live baits or high-speed trolling for wahoo can pay off.

TIPS

Wind direction matters for kite fishing, and many local anglers rely on it for a productive sailfish bite. Keep track of the forecast to pick the right days.

 

FLORIDA KEYS

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

In the Keys, mild temperatures are the norm, although frontal passages can still cool things down temporarily. Water clarity is often exceptional, which can make fish wary in shallow flats.

INSHORE & BACKCOUNTRY TARGETS

Bonefish and Permit show up on shallow flats once the sun warms the water. Live shrimp or small crabs work well if you can spot them. Tarpon can be found around bridges and in deeper backcountry holes. Freelined live mullet is a favored technique. Snook and Mangrove Snapper hold near mangrove edges, where freelined shrimp or pilchards are effective.

REEF & OFFSHORE OPPORTUNITIES

Yellowtail, Mutton Snapper, and Grouper gather on the reef edges and wrecks. Anchoring up and chumming heavily entices yellowtail, while live baits on the bottom can hook bigger grouper and muttons. Sailfish and Mahi action can be good beyond the reef; trolling ballyhoo or live-bait drifting is standard practice.

TIPS

Patience and a quiet approach are vital for flats species like bonefish and permit. In the backcountry, keep an eye on tide movement; fish feed most actively on moving water.

 

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

Though February brings milder weather than northern areas, cold fronts still pass through. Plan outings around stable conditions for the best success.

INSHORE TARGETS

Redfish and Seatrout often hold on grass flats near deeper channels. Soft plastics under popping corks or shrimp-tipped jigs work well. Sheepshead gather around docks, pilings, and rocky structures; fiddler crabs or pieces of shrimp are ideal baits.

NEARSHORE/OFFSHORE OPPORTUNITIES

Grouper and Snapper lurk on reefs and wrecks in deeper water. Bottom rigs or vertical jigs are popular. Tripletail can show up near buoys and crab trap floats; a free-lined live shrimp often seals the deal.

TIPS

Concentrate on darker-bottomed flats that warm quickly in the sun. Fish tend to be more active later in the day as water temps rise.

 

EVERGLADES & LOWER WEST COAST

TYPICAL CONDITIONS

This remote and diverse area offers sheltered fishing spots away from gusty winds. Water temperatures fluctuate with the tides and daily weather patterns.

BACKCOUNTRY TARGETS

Snook and Redfish inhabit mangrove shorelines and back creeks, especially where water is a bit warmer. Live shrimp or soft plastic jerk shads fished quietly are best. Tarpon can be found holding in deeper holes or roaming outside islands. A warming trend after a cool snap can really turn them on.

TIPS

Move slowly and use minimal noise—these fish can be skittish in shallow waters. Keep watch for surface activity or diving birds to locate feeding schools.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Despite cooler water temperatures and sporadic cold fronts, February remains a fruitful month to fish Florida’s diverse waters. By keeping an eye on the weather, focusing on midday warmth, and tailoring presentation to the fish’s slower metabolism, anglers can enjoy consistent action. Whether you’re stalking redfish on flats or chasing sailfish off the Southeast coast, adapt your approach to February’s conditions and you’ll likely come home with stories—and fillets—to share.

Disclaimer: Always check local regulations for species-specific closures or size/bag limits, and stay safe by monitoring marine forecasts before venturing out.

 

 

FEBRUARY FRESHWATER FISHING FORECAST OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW OF FEBRUARY CONDITIONS

Florida’s freshwater systems may be cooler than usual in February, causing fish to slow down as their metabolism adjusts. Periodic cold fronts can quickly alter water temperatures and weather patterns, so fishing success often depends on targeting stable weather windows. Once conditions settle, most species feed more actively, especially in the afternoon when water temperatures rise.

GENERAL LAKE & RIVER PATTERNS

Typical Conditions: Colder nights and occasional fronts keep water temperatures low. Many fish species follow pre-spawn movements, seeking slightly warmer or stable water. Sunny days often warm shallow flats and shorelines, drawing fish in by midday.

Approach & Presentations: Slowing your retrieve and using subtle methods typically works best in cooler water. Live bait (shiners, minnows) can be especially effective when fish are sluggish. Rely on electronics to locate structure and temperature changes.

 

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Behavior: With pre-spawn approaching, bass often hold near shallow flats, weed lines, or submerged wood adjacent to deeper water. Warm afternoons can spark a feeding window, making midday to late afternoon especially productive.

Tactics:

• Slow-Rolled Spinnerbaits: Retrieve just above the bottom near structure, pausing occasionally to trigger reaction strikes.
• Soft Plastics: Fish Texas-rigged worms or creature baits slowly, targeting warmer pockets of water and cover.
• Lipless Crankbaits: Use a stop-and-go retrieve around drop-offs or open water to mimic wounded baitfish.

CRAPPIE (SPECKLED PERCH)

Behavior: During February, crappie often school in deeper basins, channels, or along submerged timber. It’s a prime time to catch large specks prepping for the spawn.

Tactics:

• Minnows Under Floats: Suspend live minnows at various depths to locate active schools.
• Trolling (Spider Rigging): Cover more water using multiple rods rigged with jigs or minnows to find and follow schooling fish.
• Light Tackle: Use ultralight rods with 4–6 lb test to detect subtle crappie bites.

SUNFISH & BREAM

Behavior: These species can be sluggish in cooler water, often remaining deeper or near cover. On warmer, sunny days, they’ll venture into shallower areas to feed.

Tactics:

• Live Baits: Small crickets or worms fished around docks, brush, or submerged trees.
• Micro Jigs: Tiny tube or hair jigs worked slowly can entice sunfish to bite during midday warm-ups.

CATFISH

Behavior: Channel and bullhead catfish stay moderately active through winter, favoring deeper pockets or slow-moving river stretches. Any warming trend typically stimulates their feeding.

Tactics:

• Stink Baits & Chicken Livers: Classic offerings on bottom rigs, especially near drop-offs or creek mouths.
• Cut Bait: Freshly cut oily fish (e.g., shad, mullet) can lure in bigger catfish.
• Slack Tides & Evenings: In rivers, moderate currents or dusk periods can encourage active feeding.

TIPS & REMINDERS

• Focus on Afternoons: Colder mornings may slow fish; midday sun warms shallow water and improves the bite.
• Use Subtle Presentations: Fish tend to be less aggressive in cooler conditions, so smaller, slower-moving lures or live bait can work wonders.
• Electronics & Mapping: Identify submerged structure, creek channels, and temperature changes to locate fish quickly.
• Check Regulations: Be aware of local size and bag limits, especially on popular lakes.
• Stay Safe: Pay attention to sudden changes in weather or wind, which can make boating hazardous.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Although February’s cooler temperatures and variable weather can pose challenges, savvy anglers who adapt and employ slower techniques can still enjoy steady action on Florida’s lakes, rivers, and ponds. By choosing stable weather windows, targeting depth transitions or warmer shallow zones, and fishing patiently, you can land trophy bass, slab crappie, and other freshwater favorites throughout this transitional month.