Report...December 7, 2007

Winter fishing is almost here … The water levels are low, the water is crystal clear, and fish are forming into big schools. Cold fronts are becoming more regular, water temps are dropping, and it’s my favorite time of the year to sight fish. As you will read, there’s a variety of things to target right now, as well as a variety of things we may come across during the day. If you’ve waited for the year’s best sight fishing, it’s going on now through early spring. This is your best chance of the year for double digit catches, so give me a call; I'd very much enjoy the pleasure of fishing with you before 2007 is over. 386-212-4931

Redfish in the 5-12lb range are the main target from now through the end of winter. These fish are now forming their typical winter size schools (just this week I’ve found a few different schools that have 200-300 fish). As of right now, there’s also a lot of single, pairs and small pods of fish. Warmer weather has these fishing tailing well in the morning; colder weather lends itself to better late day tailing action. When the wind and cloud conditions are right, we’re spotting and stalking fish for most of the day. On those windy and cloudy days, we’re doing lots of blind casting and “hole sitting.” Fly fishing conditions are good. Long leaders (10-12’) and light flies that land quietly are a must. These fish are spooky in clear water and long casts may be necessary, but maybe more important, they should be accurate casts.

Trout fishing is really great, and will be so until the colder weather settles in for good. When it does, most of the 10+lb fish will seek out deep holes to ride out the winter. But many of the 4-8lb fish will stick to the flats, and the deeper sand holes found within. As of right now, most of the gator trout are on the flats, staged in their typical pre-winter areas. Their biting well into the day, but they are spooky once the sun is up. These fish can be caught in a variety of ways, including on fly, but the ability to sneak up on them and make a quiet presentation will make the difference between catching one and watching them bolt in the other direction.

There’s a few schools of black drum on the flats right now, including one I found this week that had 200-300 fish in the 5lb range. Snook fishing is still pretty good, but the best bite is late in the day/evening around structure and deep holes. Flounder are on the move and this is the time of the year for the potential “doormat” to be caught, especially around big sand bars or sandy points with bait moving. Bluefish are everywhere inshore, at docks, and under the lights at night. This week I found a school of at least 100 blue’s in the 5lb range in Mosquito Lagoon, and we wore them out on topwater plugs and flies.

Happy Holidays to everyone and best wishes for 2008! Since this will be the last monthly report this year, here is a slideshow of the highlights from 2007. I can’t wait to make 2008 and even better year.