Rick Davidson (grassflats2@yahoo.com), Editor
November, as it always is, was a challenging month. Tremendous variations in temperatures within the same week, nasty fronts and high wind made most days adventurous. The situation was especially frustrating because we know there are fish out there waiting to be caught. While the conditions made the bite inconsistent, there were lots of grouper being caught in 40 to 60 feet. Live pinfish were the bait of choice, with dead bait next, but the occasional gag could be trolled up with diving plugs when the water was warmer. Kingfish continued to stay in the area early in the month, and livened up several offshore trips. On days when the grouper bite was off, several local guides decided to put their trips on a few reef donkeys. The amberjack bite has been consistent and finding the larger schools can make even the toughest fisherman squeal and beg for help. Several 30 pound specimens were weighed in at the dock this month.
Inshore, the speckled trout population was as confused as the fisherman as the temperatures changed, moving the fish from the flats into the river and creeks, then back out when things warmed up. On the right days (meaning the coldest), some sizable trout were caught in the river. One measuring over 20 inches was caught at the old Ideal dock. Ross McElroy and Russ Roy caught several five pound trout in one of the creeks. Some nice fish were also caught on the flats. Doug Barrett and I found several five pounders near some structure just south of the river. Some of the great distractions on the flats during this time of year are the schools of marauding bluefish that will suddenly bring you to attention on an otherwise slow fishing day. Here's a picture of one of the smaller specimens with a half-mullet sticking out of his mouth.
DECEMBER 2008 FISHING FORECAST
In December, the temperatures are more consistent, but the fishing will still vary depending on temperature. Offshore, the grouper bite will continue to be excellent. Remember that the grouper season will be closed in February and March in federal waters, but there will be plenty of high quality filets available in December and January. Trolling will be very inconsistent, but fishing live pinfish, frozen squid or cigar minnows (all of which are available from the Ship's Store) will be much more productive. On days with a slow grouper bite, remember that this is the time of year to find some excellent nice-sized black sea bass and Florida snapper. They can provide lots of action and some great filets as well.
Inshore, people will be calling the marina during cold snaps. 'Any trout in the river?' is a question that Libbi and Kristi and Brittany are available to answer. While trout can be found in the upper reaches of the river in very cold water, most of the fishing takes place between Marker 22 and the river mouth. The challenge is that the fish are in the deeper water…which means the channel. Careful anchoring is essential for safety purposes. Do not anchor so that your boat will swing into the channel. Not infrequently, I'll use an additional anchor off the stern to keep me in place. The classic 52M Mirrolure, cast upcurrent and worked slowly back to the boat, is a great way to start. One alternative is to drift live shrimp, weighted with a split shot. When live shrimp aren't available, artificial shrimp, either Gulp or DOA, are very successful as well. You may catch a number of short fish; handle them with care while you release them. On days when you want to avoid the crowds, you can always try the Suicide Hole, just upriver from the old West Wind Marina, or some of the deep holes further upriver. A great way to locate fish is to troll slowly with the same 52M Mirrolures. When you locate a fish, it's likely there will be more in the same area.
On more hospitable days, try for sand trout near the offshore bars to the north of the channel. Fish with jigs and Gulp! tails, or live shrimp pinned to a ¼ -oz. jig head. In spotted bottom in 8 to 10 feet, try the same tackle or cut bait for speckled trout. On warm afternoons, you may find some speckled trout and redfish around shallow structure, using slowly fished suspending lures such as the MirrOlure Catch 2000, or their MirrOdine series.
And it's also time for the year-end clearance at the Ship's Store. Up to 20% off on tackle, clothing, gifts and diving supplies until the first of the year, so now's the time to stock up for special Christmas gifts. Have a happy holiday season!
Here are some guide reports for this past month:
Captain Steve Rassell, www.lastcastrass.com , (352) 359-5902
With the cold weather the trout have moved either closer to the creek mouths in the area or into them to find the warmer water and the bait. Limits are still being taken in the river from the holes at low tide and the shallows as the water comes in and warms up. There are still plenty of redfish on the flats close to the river.
Captain Tommy Thompson, www.flanaturecoast.com/capttommy, (352) 284-1763
The first half of November was blustery, cold, hot, calm--you name it. Even the National Weather Service couldn't get it right. Despite the unpredictable weather, we did well, even on a trip with 'Tiki Bar Audrey', who always manages to 'skunk' any fishing trip. Take a look at the sheepshead we caught in a foot of water on a slow-sinking plug! Mike Roberts and Steve Thompson came down from Charlotte to fish and despite one rainy morning, we had two beautiful days with 'Carolina Blue' skies and a fair number of reds and trout on topwaters and spoons.
I took the second half of the month off to pull my skiff off the rack and have it rebuilt. The past 8 years of fishing over Big Bend rocks had taken their toll and it was time for a new coat of gel--and a new GPS/Sonar unit. I can't wait to get out this month and see how the new bottom holds up on our close-to-shore rocks.
December should be an excellent month for inshore trout and reds, provided we don't get any big howling winds. Also, the creeks should get active if the temperatures dip into the '40's for any period of time.
If you're interested in a 'catch-and-release hunting for big fish' trip, please give me a call. And if you're interested in some more in-depth information about fishing our beautiful Big Bend, take a look at my weekly Fishing4Cast on the Florida Sportsman Magazine website at http://www.floridasportsman.com/4cast/bb/index.html or at the Florida Sportsman Big Bend Action Spotter column beginning in January.
Captain Steve Hart, www.legallimitscharters.com, (352) 498-0299
Captain Walt Carlson, (352) 498-3176
Now with the cooler water temperatures the fishing is really great, and should get even better.
Trout have showed up in big numbers but the cold fronts are keeping them from biting consistently. Some trout have been caught in the river using lures and shrimp. You will find them in the deep holes at the mouth of the river now but the bite is off and on because of the weather. Some trout on the flats are still hitting Gulp baits along with small pinfish and shrimp.
For grouper, I've been doing well using cut bait along with live pinfish, when the weather is letting us get out. Seems like these cold fronts want to come through on the weekends when I have the charters. No cobia lately but some nice amberjacks being brought in.
If you plan to come fishing give me a call and I will give you the most recent info on what the trout and grouper are doing. I'd love to take you out over the holidays.
Captain Wiley Horton, www.tunersportfishing.com
Ya gotta love October and November! SEC football is at its peak and with each successive cold front, the bait fish pods disappear farther to the South. The finicky grouper of the summer and fall become more active and hungry. A piece of stinky old cut bait or the rattle of a diving plug are far more likely to entice a strike....and those long runs offshore can be substantially shortened by fishing closer to shore where the pickings are slim in the colder months.
Best bet this month is some squid left over from a spring fishing trip, just now reaching its potential as a fragrant fish attracting morsel. Don't run past 40 feet or you are just wasting some of that expensive gasoline. May the stink be with you!
