December is here and it’s not just the holidays that we have to look forward to. With every cold front this month, a new body of fish should push down the beach in search of warmer water and a constant food source. Sailfish, dolphin, blackfin tuna and everything else will migrate south along our reef systems and current edges. Focus around faint temperature breaks and color changes with both dead or live bait for success. That being said, this is my favorite time of year to troll. Especially pulling dredges as your teasers. Cannon 10 TS downrigger’s are an ideal way to pull these umbrella like bait schools with almost guaranteed results and still keep your cockpit clear and safe while fishing on boats under 40 feet. Naked ballyhoo rigged on 6/0 Mustad circle hooks are my bait of choice and I definitely like to have a squid chain out there as well. A lighter set of rods will increase your hook up ratio, which is key to a successful day of catching. Blackfin Rods makes an off the chain sailfish rod that is great for both trolling and live baiting. It’s recommended for lines 12-to-20-pounds. [easy-tweet tweet=”With every cold front this month, a new body of fish should push down the beach in search of warmer water and a constant food source. Sailfish, dolphin, blackfin tuna and everything else in between!” user=”TCCoastalAngler” hashtags=”#coastalangler, #florida #saltwater”] When weather permits, this is also a great time of year to go swordfishing. Over the last 10 years, daytime swordfishing has become extremely popular and the Treasure Coast offers great opportunities at catching these gladiators. Fishing dead baits a quarter-mile below the surface can provide one of the most exciting days of fishing you’ve ever had when it all comes together. These fish are sometimes more than 500 pounds and will test every aspect of your fishing game. Whatever it is you decide to do this winter, I hope your trip is Off The Chain. Looking forward to fishing with you soon.
FORECAST BY: Capt. Scott Fawcett
Off the Chain Fishing Charters
Phone: (772) 285-1055
Email: fishscottyf@bellsouth.net
www.offthechainfishing.com
TOP PHOTO: Matt Coppoletta, Grant Fawcett, and Dave Delpho with a nice daytime sword caught while fishing with Captain Scott Fawcett aboard Off the Chain. Photo credit: Capt. Scott Fawcett.
