While there can be a lot of fun in specialization, I've always leaned more to the "variety is the spice of life" end of things and particularly when it comes to fishing. Variety keeps things interesting, and it lets you make the most of the opportunities available over the course of a year.

As much as I like to ice fish and enjoy that fast action at first ice, things definitely slow down in February as the fish settle into their winter patterns. It picks up again in March with the onset of longer days, but until then it can often be a tough slog. Instead of toughing it out, that's when I look for other options that are more rewarding than staring down an eight-inch hole. My hands-down favorite is heading south for a few days of open water fishing off piers and jetties along the Gulf Coast.

From Florida to Texas, it's easy to find great fishing all along the Gulf Coast for a variety of saltwater fish. This is easy fishing, where you simply park yourself on a pier, cast out and see what's biting. On any given day you could find yourself tussling with the saltwater equivalent of panfish - small jacks, blue runners, mackerel, ladyfish and mangrove snappers - or bigger predators like snook, redfish and cobia. It's also possible to find yourself latched onto something much bigger, from tarpon to sharks. It seems every day brings something different, and that's a lot of the appeal.

It's also a nice break from the cold. For most of us in the Midwest, the Gulf Coast is a long but easy enough drive, or a really short flight. It's easy to find reasonably-priced accommodation just about anywhere, and no better opportunity to enjoy some terrific seafood dinners right on the sea. Bring the golf clubs along with the rods and you have the perfect long weekend away with the guys.

The fishing itself is as simple as it gets - find a spot, and use the tackle you already own to get in on the action. Most of the fish hang out right on the shoreline structure, so casting three- to four-inch jigs, swimbaits and spoons from shoreline piers and jetties definitely puts you in front of the fish. I like the Storm Wildeye Swim Shad in natural finishes, or Acme Little Cleo spoons since they cast like bullets and can take a good chewing without being destroyed.

All you need otherwise are a pair of pliers for unhooking some types of toothy critters (even smaller species of saltwater fish can still have teeth like a Doberman) and a copy of the fishing regulations so you know what fish need to be released and which can be kepy for a tasty fish fry.

You'll also want a tide chart, which can be picked up in any bait store. Saltwater fishing is all about the movement of the tide - it doesn't matter if it's moving in or out, so long as its moving and creating the strong currents that cue shoreline species to feed. There will be two high tides and two low tides each day. The best time to fish is an hour or two before or after things peak (in either direction). The so-called 'slack tides' when currents relax are a fishing dead zone, so use those hours to go for dinner, play golf, see the sights or pursue or other non-angling pursuits.

A standard bass or walleye rod will handle most types of inshore fish. You'll have your hands full with anything bigger than panfish, but isn't that the point? Saltwater fish almost universally fight harder than freshwater species of comparable size, so looking into a larger snook or redfish leads to a battle you'll remember for a long, long time.

Make sure you thoroughly rinse your outfit with fresh water at the end of each session, or the corrosive action of saltwater will quickly destroy it. A few minutes with a garden hose, or in the hotel room shower, is all it takes to keep your gear in good shape.

If you've never tried casting for saltwater fish off shoreline piers, you really don't know what you're missing. Mid-February is the perfect time to get in on the fun - you're not missing much at home, and after weeks of frigid temps, nothing feels better than a few days in the sun. Give it a try, and you might just find that quick southern trip becomes an annual winter tradition.