DECEMBER ON THE WATER
December is the month we make the transition away from baitfish, 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 baitfish leave our local waters, then shrimp becomes the go-to bait.
Cooler weather gives a big boost for catching sheepsheads 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 sheepsheads. Unlike sheepshead from the northern states, ours are excellent on the table. Sheepsheads 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 similar to sheepsheads, in the fact that they do not eat any baitfish, they feed primarily on small crustaceans, including shrimp, crabs, sand fleas, small crustaceans and mollusk. 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. Sheepsheads 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.
Sea trout 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 hookups with a mix of species around nearshore reefs, ledges, and hard bottom. Bottom dwellers like sheepsheads, 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 the year. I hope everyone gets a chance to spend time on the water during the holiday season. Wishing all of you that take the time to read this column a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at: http://www.myfwc.com. Also, the free Fish Rules app. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish.
For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 410-8576, website: http://www.fishpineisland.com, email: [email protected].
Capt. Bill Russell is a native and lifelong resident of Pine Island who has spent his entire life fishing the waters surrounding Pine Island and Southwest Florida. For the past 29 years, Bill has been a professional fishing guide who takes pride in customizing each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. Come join us and “Catch the Action.”
