By: Captain Terry Fisher
It is that time of year when the area lights up with numerous visitors and homeowners alike, returning from their summer habitats, to enjoy some of the best climate and pristine waters that Southwest Florida has to offer. It is also a time to reflect on another year gone by and a new one on the horizon. This is the time of year when returning family and friends get to relive memories and experiences of the past and forge new ones over the Christmas and New Year Holidays. Many will have the opportunity to spend time on the water boating and fishing as part of their holiday celebrations.
December is a transitional month in regards to water levels and water temperature, which for the most part, determine the most productive species to target as well as their winter locations, challenging myself and other guides to make adjustments that ensure a good fishing and catching experience. Winter months bring additional challenges from the northern and northeasterly winds.
Low water levels not only restrict access to numerous areas for most boats but they also change the location of fish. When this occurs, I begin to fish areas around docks, with current flow and deeper water, than those or spoil islands with little depth.
Migratory and reef species are affected mostly by water temperature. Fish temporarily relocate to areas that sustain their basic need of food for survival. This why in winter months fish such as, mackerel, permit, tarpon, cobia and pompano migrate south in contrast with the warmer months when they reverse their migratory pattern. Basically, they are following the food chain.
Non-migratory species such as reef fish (grouper, snapper, trigger) simply move to depths that meet their need which are shallower venues. The angler’s challenge is to find them and they will be successful catching their target fish. Both migratory and reef species are following the bait with the water temperatures being the basic conduit that drives relocation.
All of the above begs the question: “what fish will provide the best opportunity for anglers throughout the month of December and where will they be?” It is common knowledge that sheepshead are the winter species to target as the larger ones living on the reefs during the summer months will move to shallow, inshore water depths around the rocks, docks and seawalls to spawn. However, all species are still available. The challenge is to find enough water to target them.
Large grouper, snapper, triggerfish, grunts and other reef species will hold in depths of 85 ft. or less providing anglers a shorter distance from the outer islands to catch them. However, be aware of the harvesting requirements for every species, depending on Federal or State Waters. They change from time to time.
Redfish, snook and other inshore species will inhabit areas of current flow, pockets of depth, most likely around passes and docks. Seatrout will be in the pot holes of 3-5 foot or on the grass flats in the same depths. The techniques for fishing remain the same year around. Live or dead baits, artificial baits are all productive. Artificial baits will require the use of a trolling motor to keep moving to different locations along the shorelines and docks.
Capt. Terry’s Holiday Gift suggestions for the Inshore Angler are lighter inshore rods and reels such as;
Diawa BG3000 Series Spinning reel, loaded with 10lb. Power Pro Braided line matched to a comparable Diawa Laguna 7ft. medium heavy rod with a 10-17lb. butt rating. This is equipment for anglers wanting to really enjoy catching smaller fish but that can handle larger more aggressive ones as well or a Penn Battle 3000 Series Spinning reel, loaded with 15lb. Power Pro Brained line and matched with a comparable 7ft. Penn Battle III medium heavy rod with an 8-20lb. butt rating.
For Heavier inshore rods and reels a Penn or Shimano 4000 series spinning reels loaded with 15lb. Power Pro Braided line matched to a comparable 7 ½ ft. matching medium heavy rod with a 10-20lb. butt rating. This equipment is for the more demanding angler for longer cast and to handle and control larger fish hooked under docks, bridge piles and mangrove roots.
For the Offshore Angler, medium heavy gear such as a Diawa BG4500 Series Spinning Reel, loaded with 30lb. Power Pro Braided line matched to a Diawa Saltiga 6’6’ MH Jigging Rod with a 50-100lb. butt rating or a Shimano 5000 SW Spinning reel loaded with 30lb. Power Pro Braided line matched to a Shimano Travala 6’6’ Jigging Rod with a 50-100lb. butt rating.
The above recommendations provide equipment that will ensure the right size and comfort and the reliability to do any inshore or offshore excursion.
This is Captain Terry Fisher of Fish Face Charters wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!Check out my website at www.fishfacecharters.com. Email me at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com or call direct at 239-357-6829 to schedule a charter on my vessel or yours. I am available as ‘Captain for Hire’ on your vessel by the hour for safety, navigational, fishing locations and techniques that ensure every trip is successful.