Tampa Shalow Water Grouper

December Tampa Fishing Report
Monday, 29 November 2010 10:23
Written by Stewart Ames

Tampa Fishing Charter for Gag Grouper

Tampa Fishing during December is highly dependent on the weather.  Stretches  of warm weather can trigger an excellent bite, where  a cold front can put an absolute end to fishing for several days.  Species that are available to be caught also change with the seasons.  The first cold front of the year rolled in in early November and sent the vast majority of Kingfish, spanish mackerel and bonita southward.  Although an occasional mackerel and bonita are still being caught, their days remaining in the local neighborhood are limited.  The next significant cold front, arriving in just a few days, will likely chase these remaining fish.  As with many things in life, the end of something is the start of something else. Cooler weather reminds gag grouper that winter is approaching and that now is the time to move shoreward and fatten up.  As a result, legal fish have moved within striking distance of the near shore angler...showing up on rock ledges from 20 to 30 feet.


Tampa Fishing for Shallow Water Grouper

Although this is typically a short lived event, lasting maybe four to six weeks, it's exciting for inshore anglers to have an opportunity for a grouper dinner.  Large whitebait and pinfish seem to be exactly what these fish are looking to dine on and these baits are still readily available to Tampa Fishing Guides .  Use a conventional grouper rig , spooled with 40 lbs test and eighty pound leader and hang on.  These grouper, when hooked in shallow water, offer up some jarring strikes.  For those looking for a real "sporty" battle, use a spinning rod with 30 lbs test Ande Monofilament Line and a 2 - 4 ounce sinker. Getting a "keeper" in the boat on this lighter gear definitely takes some skill and will make battling the numerous short grouper a lot more fun.  These fish may be gone after the next front...heading back to deeper water, but might stick around for a few more weeks if water temperatures don't drop too drastically.


Tampa Guide admires nice redfish

Redfish remain scattered and less dependable this time of year although any trip can produce a few fish. The shallow, clear, winter waters make the remaining fish in St Joseph's Sound a lot more wary.  Kayak anglers tend to have some decent success due to the stealth that their watercraft provides.  Most Tampa Fishing Charters are run out of flats and bay boats however. The best approach for success from these larger boats is fishing channel edges to tailing fish or finding a group of fish bunched up in potholes on the lower phases of the tide.  Pinfish and cutbaits will both work for these fish although, the colder it gets, the more a big shrinp seems to be the best choice.  Residential docks will also hold fish but work will be required to find these "fish holding" docks. Plain and simple, there are just fewer fish around now.


Successful Tampa Trout Fishing Trip

On the bright side, awesome winter trout fishing is right around the corner.  As each cold front comes and goes, more large seatrout should push in to our local grass flats.  Most Tampa fishing guides pursue trout as a secondary species for much of the year but, due to the exceptional size of these fish, gator trout become the primary target from November through early March. Fish twenty inches are commonplace and, every season, a few fish close to 30 inches are caught.  Expect the best bite to occur on moving tides as this appears to be what triggers the most active feeding.  As long as pilchards remains in the area, they will be the top choice for bait.  Rig these on a #1/0 or #2/0 Owner's Mutu Light Circle Hook on fifteen pound flourocarbon leader. If there is good tidal flow, simply cast them to the up-tide side of the fishing zone and let them drift through.  If the tide is a little weaker but you have a decent breeze, use a bobber to accomplish the same thing by casting upwind.  Rig the bobber so that the fish is a foot or so off the bottom.  Once whitebait becomes difficult to secure, place you order at the local marina for select shrimp.  Fish these these same way as the whitebaits.  When bobbering either of these baits and using circle hooks, remember that you must reel until you feel the weight of the fish before you set the hook.   Reeling down locates the circle hook in the corner of the fish's mouth where a firm hook set will finish the job.

So when strong tides and pleasant weather converge in December, look for some solid inshore action.  Clear water and cooler weather can make for some exceptional days on the water.  Good luck and good fishing.

Captain Stewart Ames
Gone Fishing Charters
US Coast Guard Licensed Captain
Member Florida Guides Association
sames001@tampabay.rr.com
(727) 421-5291