by Capt. Liam Callaghan
December is the start of cold temperatures and clear water. This is the time of year that I start to reduce the size of my baits to help entice opportunistic feeders. For spring, summer, and fall, I recommend larger baits to match the hatch, but for winter, size down to present a better presentation. Target shallow flats that contain exposed grass or oyster outcrops and focus on working your bait as close to the structure as possible. When the water starts to crest the tops of the bars, work your bait off the structure methodically. A great upper to middle column bait is the spoon. Aqua Dream Living by Captain Mike Hakala makes a great spoon that mimics most bait. Pick your favorite color and work it over mixed bottom and oyster bars. Another fantastic arti ficial bait for the winter months is the 6” DOA glow jerk bait or the Slayer Inc. so plastic line. Rig these so plastics with a 1/16 oz. weedless hook or a Slayer Inc. jig head.
In December and January, the tide is another very important factor to catching fish. Look for the mid-morning high tide to catch all of the opportunistic feeders making their way onto warmer flats heated by the sun. Red fish, trout, sheepshead, and drum can be caught in huge numbers in the winter months following this midmorning pattern. The trout and red fish bite has been excellent in areas between Turkey Point and Lanark with reports of anglers limiting out. Most trout reports I receive are folks set up in 1-2 feet of water, drifting over mixed bottom, throwing soft jerk baits in the middle to lower water column. Jeff Suber of FCKA.net and company recently got into a good number of fish around Alligator Harbor. Jeff has been catching his fish on suspending baits and so plastics.
Offshore fishing changes in December with the gag grouper season coming to a close on December 2nd. There are still plenty of species to target o shore if the wind and seas allow. Red grouper, black sea bass and grunts can still be caught in decent numbers in 80 feet and out. I recently fished with Kyle Malone out of Lanark and we did well on the red grouper and a few rare late fall King fish. The Big Bend has one of the best fisheries in the entire state, so get out, support your local tackle shop and bend a rod!
Liam Callaghan IFA Kayak Tour National Angler of the Year St Croix Rods Pro Sta Native Watercraft Fishing Team