As temperatures rose into the 80s this past week, it was a welcome change from the previous two Januaries. We haven’t had to worry about freezing temperatures, luckily for us.

This year, we’ve been blessed. Warmer days and nights in January have left the fishing, and fish, much better than in years past.

Water temperatures are around 70 degrees, meaning there is still white bait around. Many trout caught this year have been huge, and redfish, snook and flounder are still active on the flats. Last year, water temperatures were around 63 degrees at this time.

We’re pushing into February and March, and I expect fishing to be good with the anticipation of continued warm weather. As days get longer, fishing will improve as well. January is not usually a great fishing month, and the further we get away from it the better.

A hot bite can be found, but it typically won’t last as long as say April or May, when you can catch fish nonstop all day. Fish will eat in shorter periods, perhaps only an hour or less. In February, timing can be key, and you may only get great bites for short stretches. So what will be the best bet?

If you’re a diehard live bait angler, there is bait around bridges, deeper flats and mouths of canals. If you do catch bait or have shrimp, don’t travel too far. Look for grassflats nearby in the 3- to 6-foot range and expect a mixed bag of action, highlighted by trout.

Trout have been large, and I’ve seen reports of them up to 28 inches this past week. December and January have featured some of the best trout fishing I’ve ever seen. In one morning alone, we probably landed 20 trout more than 20 inches in about two hours of fishing with top water lures. This provided explosive action. It was a negative tide two days before a front, and as soon as the water came in, the fishing slowed.

Trout populations have made such an improvement, that in November the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new regulations that eliminate the closed seasons for 2012 and beyond. The trout season is normally closed in November and December. There are many trophy trout out to be caught, but I encourage catch and release on fish bigger than 20 inches to ensure long-term health of the species.

Redfish action has been good on warmer days, and slow immediately following fronts. Most redfish are running in small schools. There are smaller, lower-slot fish in deeper canals, while larger fish are spotty up in the bays and shallower flats. They are very spooky in areas of clean and shallow water.

Snook have been spotted in early springtime locations. Warmer conditions will keep them active. Deeper docks in canals have provided some action.

Flounder also have been a regular catch for anglers fishing the flats. They will eat a jig or livebait fished near the bottom of sandy areas.

Sheepshead fishing also has been good for those targeting them. Older docks, bridges and rockpiles in the bay are a popular hangout for the tasty striped bandits. Shrimp is popular bait around dock pilings and has been landing fish up to 5 pounds.

Anglers fishing near the bridges will scrape pilings and use fiddler crabs, sand fleas or oysters for bait. Sheepshead will head offshore to spawn, so if you’re looking to try something new, shallow artificial reefs may be loaded with them.

Offshore anglers also need to be aware that along with gag grouper, red, scamp and black grouper species are not in season starting Feb. 1st. That will leave offshore anglers with little to target, mostly amberjack and mangrove snapper.

We can all only hope for continued warmer weather. Springtime feels like it is right around the corner. Until then, there are fish to be caught, so get out on the water and enjoy it.