December 2023 - Holiday Season Fishing Heats Up

As the year came to a close, cooler water temperatures settled into the mid-60s, sparking a fantastic winter bite. Sheepshead fishing took center stage, with anglers finding large numbers of fish stacked around bridge pilings, docks, and artificial reefs. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp were the best baits, fished on light tackle to entice bites from these structure-loving fish.

Speckled trout remained highly active, favoring deeper grass flats in 4 to 6 feet of water. Soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom or a shrimp under a popping cork worked wonders. Pompano were another popular target, with fish moving into the passes and along sandy-bottomed areas.

For those venturing offshore, hogfish and mangrove snapper provided reliable action on reefs in 40-60 feet of water. The gag grouper season was nearing its end, making it a great time for anglers to target them before the closure.

🔹 Best Bait: Fiddler crabs for sheepshead; live shrimp for trout and pompano; shrimp-tipped jigs for hogfish🔹 Hot Spots: Rod & Reel Pier for sheepshead; Longboat Pass for pompano; reefs in 50 feet for mangrove snapper