What's that quirky old saying: "God never closes a door without opening a window?" So if you're like me and going to be in football withdraw for the next six months, all we have now is fishing. Luckily the fishing is hot and getting better as the weather warms up. We have all sorts of fun tournaments and events to keep us busy.

Offshore action has been focused on sailfish, wahoo, amberjack, mackerel and some snapper. The grouper ban has really cramped the style of many reef fishermen, but I hope at least it will mean a healthier stock of the fish we all know and love. To make up for it, target yellowtail snapper and the smaller sailfish roaming the deeper reef line. A great way to accomplish this is to set out a kite as you anchor up and chum for the snapper. The larger top-water predators will almost always oblige on a kite bait.

On the tried-and-true bay-fishing front, I have heard some encouraging words out of the backcountry concerning snook, red and black drum. It seems that the skinny water gamefish are holding their own despite Mother Nature's reality check. The same old hot spots are stocked with fish, although I don't think the numbers will be back to normal for a few years. I'm also surprised how sluggish some fish seem to be weeks after the cold snap, so remember to be extra careful when releasing any fish. Let's hope the bonefish and tarpon will be recovering quickly as well.

Speaking of tarpon and bonefish, one of my all-time favorite alternative tournaments is coming up early next month specifically targeting these fish as well as the spooky permit. Mark your calendars on March 5-6 for the 15th Annual Backbone Lures Fish 'til You Lose It Tournament to benefit the Florida Keys Children's Shelter. As the name suggests, you get one lure (and one lure only!) to catch as many fish as possible. Catch one of the three targeted species for big points on either spinning gear or the new fly category. Practice your knot tying and remember to rub your lucky rabbit's foot to stay in the running for cash and prizes. Check out backbonelures.com for more information.

Another spot to save on your calendar is this year's Upper Keys Rotary Gigantic Nautical Flea Market, Feb. 20-21. Anyone who's anybody will be buying and selling anything and everything. If it floats, catches fish or is anyway related to two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, it will be there.

So maybe a steady diet of hard-core fishing (and a few, brief glimpses of the Lingerie Football League) will keep us sane over the next couple of full moons. Soon the waters will warm up and the cold winds will retreat to where they came from, leaving us to warm days, cold beer and red-hot fishing in the Florida Keys.