Snook: If you’re determined to target snook this month be prepared to fish several locations. They’ll be around, but usually not bunched up like early spring. The water temperatures start falling as we into our colder months and when this happens, snook normally migrate toward warmer waters. Unless they get caught in an early winter chill or prolonged cold period like 2009, they should be ok. Many will move into rivers, channels, deep creeks and deeper estuaries. Like other fish with low tolerances for cold water they move to areas with deep muddy bottoms. Muddy bottoms hold heat; and it’s for this reason that it attracts baitfish and fish that eat them.    
Redfish: December usually means good redfish days. We’ll be targeting them around oyster beds, mangroves and shallow water pools on those low tide days. Wading is a great way to fish winter redfish. Like other species, redfish will drop into the tidal pools left when the winter tides expose everything else. The most certain thing to remember about winter tides is; at least you know where you’re not fishing. Redfish will be eating all types of live and cut bait as we approach the winter months. They’re also fairly easy to catch using artificial lures. If you’ve never used artificial lures, do yourself a favor and give it a try. If you’re out the excitement of catching and releasing; artificial lures offer you a chance to pit wits with one of the toughest competitors in the bay.  

Spotted Sea Trout: Winter usually signals the beginning of trout season. Hundreds of anglers take to the water to catch this beautiful fish. Typically, a schooling fish where you catch one you’ll usually catch several. One point to remember is when you’re catching 12 to 15 inch fishing that’s normally what’s in that particular location. Larger trout are not a fast on the trigger as the smaller ones, so they elect not to compete, but rather hangout alone, watching a pothole for a quick meal. If you’re using live shrimp just hop and pop it over a broken bottom grass flat and shortly you’ll have a limit for dinner. Trout are loads of fun on artificial lures and I’ve caught some really nice fish tossing jerk baits to sandy potholes. With artificials you have the opportunity to cover more area thus exposing your lure to more fish.  

Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish, Bluefish, & Mangrove Snapper: Travel across the bay and you’ll pass no less than 10 to 15 schools of feeding fish. Usually the first thing you’ll see is birds eating the leftovers of the feeding frenzy. These schools of feeding fish usually consist of ladyfish, mackerel, bluefish and jacks. Many anglers turn their noses up at these species thinking they’re junk fish. Granted ladyfish and jacks are not decent table fare, grilled or smoked mackerel and fried bluefish are excellent. For some great rod bending action these species make an excellent quarry, especially for beginning anglers and anglerette’s. When introducing children to fishing it’s important to take them catching… they’re not the least interested in fishing. If you don’t get them on a bite quickly they lose interest and probably won’t want to go the next time. Kingfish are showing up on the beach around most hardbottoms holding bait. Snapper are on the markers and fish attractors.