It’s December and I’m always unsure as to what Mother Nature will throw at us. So far November (writing mid-month) has been rather windy. I do, however, expect this and have learned to deal with it. November seems to be a transitional month (weather wise) for fishing the Indian River Lagoon.
Often, December is a better weather month than November and I hope we have the Florida version of “Indian Summer” this December. If so we’re all in for a treat. Ideal conditions in the form of light breezes and moderate temperatures will kick our fish into active feeding patterns.
We will likely still have a few mullet, pinfish and other finny foodstuffs within the Lagoon system for our predators to enjoy, though shrimp will quickly become the most abundant and important food supply. Crabs in their many forms will take a back seat to shrimp, but I find myself keeping a rod rigged weedless with an Exude Cajun Crab. This little morsel is a fantastic offering for tailing redfish, black drum and even seatrout!
I endeavor to have live shrimp available on my boats from December through April or May when chartering. No matter how much I prefer fishing with lures I realize “feeding” a fish is easier than “fooling” it any day. Having a supply of live shrimp and a bag of frozen mullet is cheap insurance on a charter vessel fishing here. Keeping at least one rod rigged with a 2/0 or 3/0 circle hook I can get a natural bait to a sighted fish quickly. We frequently keep a live shrimp tail-hooked and dangling a few inches in the water as we’re actively casting lures. It never hurts to be prepared!
Expect our redfish to be groups of a few fish to a few dozen. Yes, it is possible to find massive schools, but I don’t count on that until winter really settles in.
I’m also expecting our water to begin clearing up, thus allowing real sight-fishing opportunities. Cooler water temps and less sunlight are contributing factors to declining algae blooms… Yea!
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