By Capt. Jamie Thrappas, Yellow Dawg Fishing
December is a cool reminder that North Central Florida does, in fact, get a touch of winter, usually followed by a warm-up just to remind you that you’re still in the Sunshine State. Cooler temperatures bring on new patterns and different target species. I like to shift gears this time of year and go after fish I don’t typically chase in the summer months, like black drum and sheepshead.
Black drum tend to hang around deeper holes and docks near the inlet, along the jetties, or around any of the causeway bridges. I’ve caught plenty of big ones on live shrimp and cut mullet, but my go-to bait for targeting them specifically is halved or quartered blue crab.
Sheepshead are another cold-snap favorite for me once those overnight temperatures start cooling down the river and ocean water. Fiddler crabs and sand fleas are my two favorite baits, and as I’ve mentioned before, I like to tip my hook with a piece of sand flea-flavored Fishbites to entice them to bite a little harder. I prefer a Carolina rig with a #1 5115 Owner hook on a short 10-inch leader. Some anglers like to use jig heads tied directly to braid: I’ve had success with football jigs and Bottom Sweepers, but I especially like the ones where the hook sits on a loop and moves freely.
Try fishing docks, seawalls, and rocks with plenty of growth, and you’ll surely find these toothy, bait-robbing fish! As always, if you see us out there, don’t hesitate to say hello, and if you want to experience it firsthand, give us a call to book your trip!
