1. Guest, did you know that we are counting on you to become a actively participating member of our Club and Forum? Click here to see how:

Dismiss Notice
Welcome To ShrimpNFishFLorida
Dismiss Notice
In order to view Reports and Posts in the (R) restricted access threads of this forum you must sign up as a member
Dismiss Notice
Guest After signup you will need to make an Introduction Post. Thanks

How Bad Were The Fish Kills From Cold 2026?

Discussion in 'Fishing Chatter = anything to do with fishing' started by Rich M, Feb 5, 2026.


  1. Rich M

    Rich M Senior Forum Member
    Fishing Chatter

    Saw something with some guide riding along and smaller dead fish - say 12 inch range.

    Anything more formal available yet?
     
    Rich M, Feb 5, 2026
    #1
  2. mak

    mak Moderator on Deck Staff Member

    It’s bad up here in Flagler. At least what I could see from our dock. Dozens of dead snook on the bottom and within eyesight standing there in the back yard. All in the 10-18” range. Probably a good thing that I can’t get out on the water right now… not sure I would want to see the probable devastation out there where I usually fish.
     
    mak, Feb 6, 2026
    #2
    Rich M likes this.
  3. Rich M

    Rich M Senior Forum Member
    Fishing Chatter

    Hey Mak. The bait shop said fish kill but guy wasn't really interested in talking about it. Not much of a way to get information these days - maybe facebook and following all the fish guides but eh.
     
    Rich M, Feb 10, 2026
    #3
    mak likes this.
  4. mak

    mak Moderator on Deck Staff Member

    Talked to a buddy who had fished the lagoon after the freeze and didn’t see many dead. They are still all over the bottom and floating all around here.
     
    mak, Feb 11, 2026
    #4
  5. George Buck

    George Buck Powder Monkey

    Arrived back in NSB on Feb 4th after being delayed by two major snow storms. Had to leave the boat back in Ct. since it was buried by my plow service and then the snow bank froze so I could not even dig it out. Came back to the deep freeze in Fl. and a minor fish kill up by JB's fish camp where some snook got trapped in shallow water. Did not see any other species die off.
    Surf fishing is ok with some whiting, croaker, bonnet head sharks and under sized pompano. Best tide is a few hours on each side of high tide.
    The fishing on the lagoon side is mostly trout, sheepshead and small reds around docks where they congregate in cold water. The beach has sand fleas so I have been using them for the reds and sheepshead and the trout are hitting a 3" Gulp or Keitech paddle tail in white or silver. I have access to a 16' Carolina Skiff but it is dead right now so I have to get it running.
    It is nice to be warm again. We have about 15" of ice on all of our lakes and ponds which won't come off until sometime in March or early April. Lets see some reports now.
     
    George Buck, Feb 14, 2026
    #5
    Rich M and mak like this.
  6. Rich M

    Rich M Senior Forum Member
    Fishing Chatter

    My Bil and cousins have been getting yellow perch, bass, crappie threw the ice. We been getting specs down here in the SJ river - probably kept 100 or so in a handful of trips. Some good fish in the 15-inch bracket and we try not to keep em under 10 inches, small ones go down to 4-6 inches.

    Spec.jpg
     
    Rich M, Mar 11, 2026
    #6
    mak likes this.
  7. George Buck

    George Buck Powder Monkey

    That is some great crappie fishing. Last year we took a pontoon boat out on to the St. John's river and cruised around for the afternoon. A few guys fishing for crappie but they did not do well though the couple they had were huge. Crappie are more popular through the ice up north than they are in open water when most are fishing for trout or bass. Same with yellow perch and white perch. All three are great eating out of cold water.
     
    George Buck, Mar 28, 2026
    #7
    JBF and Rich M like this.

Share This Page