On the Water: December brings changes in local fishing
December is the month we make the transition away from bait fish, and shrimp becomes the primary diet for most fish. Apart from mullet (a pure vegetarian), there are not any fish I can think of in our coastal waters that won’t eat shrimp. When the water temperature drops to the point that bait fish leave our local waters, then shrimp becomes the go to bait.
Cooler weather gives a big boost for catching sheepshead as the larger ones move inshore and over nearshore reefs. Fish for them around structure, including dock and bridge pilings, rock jetties along the beach, oyster bars and most nearshore artificial reefs and hard bottom in the gulf within sight of land. Seasoned anglers fish shrimp on a jig head or a small, very sharp hook with just enough weight to reach the bottom. If you don’t mind fishing in the cold, this is your fish. The colder the better for sheepshead. They are great bait stealers; bring more bait than you think you will need. Nothing worse than running out in the middle of a hot bite.
Pompano are like sheepshead, in the fact that they do not eat any baitfish; they feed primarily on small crustaceans, including shrimp, crabs, sand fleas, small crustaceans and mollusks. Small nylon jigs tipped with a piece of shrimp are deadly for pompano when slowly bounced over a hard or sand bottom. Pompano, Silly Willy or Crazy-style jigs are a popular choice with great results. Favorite colors are white, pink, chartreuse and yellow. Sheepshead and pompano have small mouths, so it is important to use a small hook. If you are unsure of the size, stop in at your local tackle shop and let them hook you up and give you some pointers.
Seatrout are moving off the shallow grass flats to deeper protected areas as temperatures drop with arriving cold fronts. Deep areas around oyster bars, creeks, canals and potholes are good areas to target. During mild or warmer stretches, trout move back over shallower areas to feed. Live shrimp and DOA shrimp under popping corks are deadly drifted over flats.
Redfish are located around oyster bars, deeper creeks, hard bottom shorelines and structure such as dock pilings. Larger reds can be sight fished on the lower tides over shallow flats adjacent to deeper water. This is best done wade fishing, from a kayak, canoe or a shallow water skiff. Again, shrimp is the best bait, either the real thing or artificial and fly imitations.
Offshore, we can expect hook-ups with a mix of species around nearshore reefs, ledges and hard bottom. Bottom dwellers like sheepshead, snapper, flounder, grouper, grunts, pompano and permit are a good possibility. Also, Spanish and king mackerel, bonito or false albacore, barracuda, sharks and cobia are likely to make their presence at any time. Always keep an eye out for tripletail hanging just under the surface around floating debris and objects. They usually lay on their side and resemble a piece of cardboard. A properly placed live shrimp is seldom turned down.
We should see days with great weather and fishing opportunities between cold fronts to close out year. I hope everyone gets a chance to spend time on the water during the holiday season.
Every month, seasons for certain species of fish open or close. Stay up to date by visiting Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at: www.myfwc.com. Also, the free Fish Rules app. has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish. The Fish Rules app is current as it updates every time you open the app
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service; phone (239) 410-8576, email gcl2fish@live.com or you visit us on the Web at www.fishpineisland.com
Have a safe week and good fishin’.
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for over 20 years.