Our weather has been nothing short of strange heading into the Holiday week. Again this week we had it all, early in the week the seas were calm enough to head offshore in a canoe and by the week’s end you would have had a difficult time maneuvering a sport fishermen in a canal due to the high winds. We went from weather that felt more like Independence day was the upcoming holiday, (it was warm), to our coldest temperatures of the season, plus we had a dose of rain sandwiched in between. I have to think the fish don’t know if they are coming or going.

Baitfish remained thick both inshore and offshore before the dip in temperatures. Around the bait, chances were good to find Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish, trout and a few sharks. Anglers drifting shrimp under bobbers found steady action with mackerel and bluefish in and around Captiva Pass. They also found undersize grouper while bouncing the bottom of the Pass with shrimp. Similar action was also reported in five to eight foot depths on the north east side of Useppa Island and along Oyster Shoals off the tip of Bokeelia.

The water temperature is still a little warm to really get the big sheepsheads of winter biting but there was some improvement. Fish up to fourteen inches were caught around Galt Island and a few larger fish were also taken from the oyster creeks in Ding Darling on Sanibel. Several large sheepies were also landed from the Sanibel Pier and around Little Shell Island in the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. We should notice a much better bite as the colder weather will really drop the water temperature and bring the sheepsheads inshore.

Early in the week a combination of low tides and calm water made for perfect conditions to look for tailing redfish. Heard of two reports, one from Indian Fields in Matlacha Pass and the other from the Forty Acre Bay area south of Demere Key in the Sound. A stealthy approach on foot in the skinny water resulted in a half dozen hook-up average per outing. The reds were averaging twenty-two to twenty-six inches and a live tail hooked shrimp and DOA Shad in New Penney color was the favored baits.

With the warm weather last week there was good numbers of snook hanging along the shoreline and potholes, however most anglers found a pretty slow bite with the weak tides. By now they should be moved into their winter homes.

Offshore, anglers are still catching nice gag grouper trolling diving lures past crab traps, around artificial reefs and over ledges. A couple nice tripletails were also caught under the floats between Knapp’s Point and Blind Pass.

Maybe with the weather change the fish will get into a stable pattern for a while. I sure don’t like the cold, but it has been a pain lately going from one extreme to another (plus it’s supposed to be at least a little cold for Christmas). Some days I feel like the fish, I don’t know if I’m coming or going with the weather changes!

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and remember the holiday is not about the gifts. It’s about spending time with family and friends, and what better way than a day on the water. Get out there, you will be glad you did! Merry Christmas

If you have a fishing story or photo that you would like to share or for charter information (Gift Certificates Available) please contact us at 283-7960 or www.fishpineisland.com. Have a safe week and Merry Christmas!