December fishing in South Florida can be hit or miss, especially when it comes to even getting offshore through the surf on those windy December days as the fronts start to roll through. However, if you can make it out on your yak, the reward can be well worth your effort.
December can be a great month for wahoo. You can catch some solid 35 to 40 pounders from Pompano Beach to Fort Lauderdale during the moon. Try fishing right out front of Hillsboro Inlet or Port Everglades on an outgoing tide in 180 to 250 feet of water for some great wahoo action. Try slow trolling a live goggle eye in and out of those depths until you find the bite. Remember to rig your stingers with enough wire or else the bait will not swim properly and you wont get a bite.
I would say sailfish are the grand prize fish for the month of December, especially on a good east wind. Some schools will be rolling through and if you can make it out on a day where there is a light chop and not too much current, you will generally do well if you’re targeting them. I will catch some sailfish as shallow as 60 feet this month, but when targeting them try fishing around the 3rd reef or in 70 to 150 feet around the wrecks. Honestly this month they can be in any depth so target structure on your GPS and slow troll around it.
I have caught some very nice mahi mahi in December. Try going out after a sloppy week that had a strong east wind. The mahi will be pushed into shallower water within a kayaker’s reach. Try some long drifts if the current isn’t too bad. My choice of bait would be pilchard on a small stinger rig, but I use a shorter stinger and let it swing freely from the fish. My target depth would be 200 to 250 feet. If your patient, the mahi bite will come and they won’t be peanuts this month.
Fishing the deep wrecks can be decent if the bite is slow. I have caught some nice mangrove and yellowtail snappers this month. The deeper wrecks can produce a nice amberjack or two, if you can muscle them off the wreck. When jigging I love to use the glow in the dark knife jig or the pink tiger striped. Make sure you’re using a heavy enough jig to make it down all the way to the bottom.
For more on Extreme Kayak Fishing Inc. check us out at extremekayakfishing.com or on Instagram: @extremekayakfishing.
Joe Hector
954-895-4527
Extreme Kayak Fishing Inc.
www.extremekayakfishing.com