Well folks, Thanksgiving is over and although we had some colder weather move into our area just before Thanksgiving, it looks like we might be going to have a late winter. 

Last month when the fall mullet run was at its peak, the redfish, sea trout and snook were biting like there was no tomorrow. 

If the windy conditions we have been experiencing ease up, we should enjoy some of the great sight fishing during December that we are known for. 

Last week the winds were running at 15 to 20 knots on most days and freshly cut chunks of mullet or ladyfish were the only baits that were consistently producing fish.    With clean water and decent sight fishing conditions, soft plastic jerk baits like Saltwater Assassin's 5-inch model smeared up with some Pro-Cure can be a reliable fish producer. 

The water clarity in the southern portion of the  Mosquito Lagoon had improved enough to sight fish the sea trout and redfish prowling the flats, but the windy conditions we been experiencing may have dirtied up the water. 

Black drum and redfish have been actively feeding on shrimp and crabs in the shallower flats. You can catch redfish on shrimp, crab, live or chunked up finger mullet but when you spot their tails wagging above the surface, you can bet that the fish are actively feeding on the bottom on crabs, shrimp, marine worms, or clams.

A well placed cast with a live shrimp on a light 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook with light line and a large  split shot for weight is a good way to catch these fish.    Tossing a Gulp Shrimp, Live Target shrimp, or a DOA, smeared with some Pro-Cure will also get the job done.   The trick is not to spook the fish in the gin clear water. so long well placed casts and light tackle is the best strategy.
   
As December rolls along and the north winds continue to blow down from Canada and make  our  water temperatures colder, the redfish will begin to school up and become more concentrated.

The water levels in all our the lagoons are high right now, which is normal for this time of the year, but during major weather changes (rapidly cooling water and heavy accumulations of rainfall) the fish get into their feeding mode and the bite can sometimes reach epic proportions.

When the weather permits, slowly work the flats and look for tailing or cruising fish in the shallow waters along the drop offs.  
 
On cloudy days, a favorite bait of some of the guides is a Z-Mann jerk Shadz on a weedless hook.  For sight casting they are using mostly live shrimp, Z-Mann Paddle Z artificial baits and a variety of flies. 

When the weather gets lousy, a chunk of fresh cut mullet on the bottom in a sandy pot hole or along the shoreline is hard to beat.

In the Mosquito Lagoon and northern Indian River Lagoon, the cooler water temperatures and migrating schools of mullet have been attracting some trophy size gator trout. 

The larger trout are staying on the flats longer during the day following the mullet pods and a live free lined mullet is the bait of choice for these 4 to 8 pound fish.  By the end of December, you can count on some 10 pound or better fish being caught.   
 

This past year has been almost phenomenal for Snook fishing.  The recovery since the major freeze a few years ago has been astounding and literally dozens of big snook have been caught and can be spotted laying up close up on the shorelines and around the docks.

That should translate into a great snook bite this month through the winter when the cold weather causes them to school up, often by the hundreds.

Most of our local guides routinely catch 10 to 20 or more snook a day in the 6 to 20 pound range during November and December.

When water temperatures drop down into the 50 degree mark, many anglers start fishing the deeper canal systems in East Central Florida. 
 

 

 

Without a doubt, Pompano will be the most targeted species for East Central Florida surf fishermen this month. 

From December through the end March, as the water temperatures begin to drop, surf casters along our coast will be searching for deep water trough hot spots where they often found in groups trying to load up on these tasty fish.

The deep water throughs that parallel the section of the coast at Playalinda Beach just east of Titusville, is a prime location for Pompano.  

Because of Playalinda's location immediately north of the tip of Cape Canaveral, it is a natural holding area for Pompano and many other winter migrant species. 
When the water temperatures drop below the 50s, you will start to see surf casters lining up at various hot spots along the coast with their long surf rods, sand spikes, and sand flea traps fishing for Pompano.

Pompano fishing is not limited to surf fishermen.  Starting in late November, the river fishermen can also get in on the action.    Schools of Pompano begin to congregate around the deep water bridge pilings where they can be caught by bank fishermen, pier fishermen and boaters using small, brightly colored jigs.

Almost any kind of 1/4 to 3/8 oz. yellow or orange colored jig can be tossed and slowly hopped back along the bottom to catch Pompano.  Tandem jigs are also used on light tackle and are effective especially when tipped with a small piece of clam or shrimp.  The trick is to work the jigs back very slowly.  When you catch one fish, you can bet a small school is in the same area, so land the fish quickly and cast to the same area for more action.
 

Near Offshore And Offshore
 

Thanksgiving normally starts the annual Kingfish run out of Port Canaveral, but with the winds we have been enduring this past week, you might just as well work on your turkey day leftovers, grab yourself a brew, and watch the games on the tube.    You won't be pulling ballyhoo along the edges of any weed lines or rips until the winds let up.

 

 

 

When you do manage to get a nice day, look North and South for diving Pelicans in 10 to 30 feet of water when you head out of the port.  When you find the birds, you'll locate the schools of mullet, pogies, or whatever.

After you grab your cast net and net up some baits, skewer a couple on 7/0 or 8/0 VMC circle hook tied on a 30 lb fluorocarbon leader and free line one around the school and a second bait on an egg sinker under the school.

If you don't hookup within a reasonable time, move to another area and repeat the process untill you get a hookup.

 

If the water temperatures remain warm, look for Cobia and Tripletail along the Canaveral buoy line and off the bight of the Cape.

 

The inshore reefs and wrecks in 60 to 100 feet of water, the 8A reef out of Port Canaveral, and the North end of Pelican Flats are usually good areas to target Kingfish when seas are not angry.

Off Cocoa Beach and some of the areas around Playalinda Beach, the fishing has been good for Black Tips and other shark species. 

During this time of the year, North or South of Port Canaveral are areas where you have a good chance of hooking up with either a "bull" redfish, a nice Blacktip, a 200 pound Sand Tiger, or something even bigger.

 

A stout bottom rig spooled with 100 pound braid, a large swivel, 3 to 4 feet of either 7 strand or solid wire in the 80/90lb class, and a 9/0 or 10/0 Mustad hook baited up with any fresh bloody bait should pique the interest of any self respecting shark if they are in the area. 

Stingrays, small bluefish, bonita, ladyfish, whiting,Spanish mackerel or any other fresh bait chunked up will do just fine.

You don't have to fish far from the beach to catch big shark.  They are usually in 15 feet of water or less in our area, and in many cases will come right into the surf line to grab a bait.

The Coco Beach area is another great spot to fish for shark this time of the year.

 

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A sliding sinker rig on 20 lb line with a swivel separating a short 12 to 15 inch fluorocarbon leader and a 4/0 or 5/0 hook is all you need for winter flounder. 

You can bait up with a finger mullet, mud minnow, or large live shrimp and keep the bait right on the bottom.  Some flounder fishermen use a plain white hair jig bounced off the bottom or tipped with a live mud minnow, but a jig tipped with a Trigger X or 5" Saltwater Assassin witll also do the job when the fish are on.

 

Although I have not received any reports yet of any Weakfish in the Port, they should start showing up this month along the main shipping channel.

Jetty fishermen can also expect to catch sheepshead, black drum, whiting, snapper, redfish and some Pompano this month on a variety of live, cut and artificial baits.
 

 

 

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