By Capt Roan zumFelde:
Merry Christmas to all and hope your fishing trips are wonderful and fish are plentiful. The winter winds are starting to blow and the coolness is in the air. This is not always a bad thing, it sure makes being in the outdoors more enjoyable and sometimes really stacks the fish up where they can get to a little warmer water. The bass can really fire up just before a front comes through. The only problem is if you are fishing the day after the front passes then it gets a little difficult. My only suggestion is to slow down, when you think you are moving you lure slow enough, then try moving it a little slower.
Lake Okeechobee fishing should be excellent this month. Bass fishing on the lake will be in full swing and the main lake water levels should be starting to drop down and make the bass more concentrated. This should make the Rim Canal and any traditionally deeper water corridors much better. North End of the lake should really start to get good especially if the winds start to blow out of the North. Fishing for bluegills will be on the decline but crappie should really start taking over for all you pan fisherman. Small Jigs and even flies work well on them. I like to throw small bead head Wooley Buggers for them. The bead causes a more up and down erratic action.
Ski Oleski, out at Trafford Marine is not only excited about it being the holidays this month, but thinks it is one of the best months to catch crappie on the lake. He says small jigs will catch them but Missouri minnows work the best. He believes the fishing is really getting better all the time on the lake and from what his anglers are telling him and me, I do believe it is true. Bass fishing on the lake this month should be excellent as well. From top to bottom you should find plenty of bass action. If an early front brings the temps down, I might suggest fishing slow sinking creature baits, or jig and pig combo in heavy cover. Something that falls relatively slow like a Senko type worm should also work well.
To read Roan’s forecast for The Everglades Canals, go to https://coastalanglermag.com/naples/
Come visit Mike and me at Mike’s Bait house and Indian Pass Outfitters on Danford Street, next to Bayview Park in Naples and we can talk fishing. We carry a full line of tackle including: fly fishing needs and both saltwater and freshwater gear, food, drink, and bait. Thanks, and good fishing. – Roan z
If you want to contact Capt. Roan z for a freshwater fishing trip or ask any fishing questions he can be contacted at the shop (239)-775-2248 or cell number (239)-269-4426. Check the web site www.indianpassoutfitters.com and www.mikesbaithouse.com.