As winter settles in on the northern two thirds of America, many anglers can only dream about a location where stretching line is a year round endeavor. They long for a setting occupied by happy fish tailing in the shallows as the mid afternoon sun warms the flat. Such is the life of anglers in many parts of our country, and thank God we live on the Lagoon coast of Florida where catching is a winter sport.
Like November, December is a month filled with outstanding fishing opportunities. The only significant difference is the impact cooler water temperatures have on the fishery, which is influenced by passing cold fronts. Fluctuations in water temperatures affect both fish behavior and angling tactics, so an understanding of where and how to fish can result is some memorable catches.
Inlet Redfish
Near-shore and in the inlets, large redfish were consistent outside Ponce Inlet, Port Canaveral and Sebastian Inlet last month, and they should remain steady through December. At both Ponce and Sebastian, look for redfish chasing bait on the surface during periods of slack tide, or feeding along the bottom during periods of falling tidal flow. At Port Canaveral, work the bottom in deeper water just outside the buoy line along the channel ledges. These fish will hit artificial baits, but live pinfish, pigfish, and finger mullet are more productive. Remember, these are large oversized reds, so step up your tackle and handle and release them with extreme care.
Snook
Snook fishing will remain steady in the surf and inlets, with Sebastian Inlet proving to be the most productive location. It is best to target inlet snook at night by drifting live pigfish and pinfish through the channel, or fishing bucktail jigs or large swimming plugs from the rocks and catwalks. This type of fishing can be quite challenging due to the number of anglers competing for the same fish and impatient and discourteous anglers, so please pay attention, be courteous, stay safe, and enjoy the rewards. Also, remember snook season closest on December 15th, so if you plan on keeping one, you need to get busy.
Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel
Large schools of bluefish and Spanish mackerel have been feeding on glass minnows (bay anchovies) along the beaches and outside the Inlets. When targeting these fish watch for bird activity and work small jigs or spoons very fast to avoid cut offs. A small trace of wire can be added ahead of your bait to reduce cut offs, but in some cases the keen vision of the toothy mackerel will reduce the number of strikes. Also, if you see pelicans diving on bait and then holding their bills down in the water in an effort to strain the water from the smaller baitfish before swallowing, you are in the right spot.
Flounder
The Flounder run is on with good catches being reported from both Port Canaveral and Sebastian. Anglers utilizing either jigs or live finger mullet fished on the bottom are experiencing the best results. My favorite technique is to slow drift the Inlet passes, bouncing jigs like the new Riptide Mud Minnow on the bottom. This tactic allows you to cover more ground, and once you have located a hot spot, you can anchor your boat and concentrate on the area.
Tarpon and Kingfish
Further off of the beach, tarpon and kingfish can be found shadowing bait pods outside the Inlets. Either slow troll live baits on steel stinger rigs, or try dropping live baits into schools of bait in deeper water. This bite should continue as long as water temperatures remain above 74 degrees.
Tripletail and Cobia
December is also the month when tripletail begins to show up on the Port Canaveral buoy line, and as the water cools the bite should improve. When water temperatures drop below 70 degrees, look for cobia on weed-lines, near-shore wrecks, buoys, and other structure. Once the water temperatures drop below 68 degrees, target cobia on the deeper wrecks and hard bottom where the water is a bit warmer.
Inshore Trout, Redfish and Black Drum
On the inshore flats, both redfish and sea trout will remain in the skinny water as long as
the water temperatures stay in the seventies. Fish in protected areas and sunny spots on
cooler days, and look for fish to be holding in sand spots (potholes) until the sun gets overhead. Now is also the time to target tailing black drum in the Banana Lagoon’s No
Motor Zone. If you’ve never seen black drum tailing, it is worth the paddle into the NMZ. Try fishing with natural baits like shrimp and crabs, or shrimp and crab imitation baits. Also, a well-presented black Clouser Minnow Fly works well for all three species.
American Shad and Speckled Perch (Black Crappie)
Good numbers of speckled perch (black crappie) are showing up in the upper St Johns River south of lake Harney. Fish structure or slow troll jigs or live minnows near the bottom. Also, look for the American shad to begin showing up near the end of the month on their winter spawning run. The American shad is an incredible species to catch on light tackle and fly, and if you have never experienced this fishery, you are missing the boat.
In closing, I would like to thank all of you for your support this past year. 2006 was an incredible year of catching, with too many great memories to mention. Guiding anglers on the Space Coast is a great job, and I’m looking forward to our next adventure in 2007. Also, if you are looking for a special gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life, contact me about a charter gift certificate for 2007.
As always, if you need information or have any questions, please contact me.
Good luck and good fishing and happy holidays,
Captain Tom Van Horn |
