December brings on the winter months and changes fishing tactics on the river. The water temperatures continue to fall and your fishing must adjust to the weather. Water temperatures can dictate where you fish and how you fish. Finding water a few degrees warmer than normal can mean the difference in catching and fishing. We will get many days of breezy winds that will hinder getting to some favorite spots out there. That’s one of the reasons I love fishing in this area—you can always find somewhere to fish! Trout, redfish and snook will be targets throughout the winter. Trout season will be open this year for a change and snook season closes December 15th. Many anglers will still play catch and release with them. Fishing around bridges, docks and inlets can bring great action with snook hanging around the deeper waters of the river. Using live bait, D.O.A. Baitbusters and TerrorEyz, jigs and bomber lures can help you catch one worth a photo opportunity. Trout will tend to hang around the deeper cuts of the river. Move off to three to six feet of water for trout. Live shrimp on popping corks or D.O.A. Deadly Combos will work the best for them. I love to work D.O.A. CAL jerk baits this time of year on the flats. You can also find snook and redfish hanging around those areas as well.
Pompano have already arrived in the area and not only provide great fishing action, but fantastic table fare. Spanish mackerel and bluefish will continue to hang out in their favorite haunts of the river. Fish the inlet, turning basin and channels for them. Jack crevalle will be traveling around in packs chasing bait all over the river. Flounder should arrive soon and hang around the inlets, docks and sandy flats of the river. Ladyfish is a great way to spend a few hours with the kids on the water. The bridges will be holding sheepshead, black drum, croakers and sand perch. Live or dead shrimp is always the best bet from the catwalks.
Redfish can be found around local docks during the winter months and a live shrimp or D.O.A. Shrimp can entice them into striking. Don’t forget about the deeper cuts along the mangroves for redfish and snook in December. Using stealth is essential when fishing the shallow waters for redfish. A mild winter will have them feeding in the shallows this month. It was a fantastic redfish bite all last winter and I am looking for it to be just as good this year. Winter fishing is already here. Change your tactics with the weather and follow the water temperatures more closely to make your fishing more productive. If we all do our share to protect our rivers, we can insure the future generations will enjoy the same experiences we have been blessed with.
Remember, fishing is not just another hobby….it’s an ADVENTURE!
FORECAST BY: Capt. Charlie Conner
Captain Charlie’s Fish Tales Charters
Phone: (772) 284-3852
Email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
http://www.fishtalescharter.com