Key West Fishing Report, December 2007

Key West Fishing Report
For December 2007
Living here in the lower Florida Keys sometimes you have to be reminded to seasonal changes by going in to your local stores. The shelves have put away the Halloween stuff and now it is a mix of Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas trees. Hmm, must be close to December. Checking my calendar shows that the temps should be starting to plummet and the fishing will take a change that happens every year in the months of November and December.
With the business of the fall behind us the streets are quieter here in Key West. Fantasy Fest and Parrot Heads was a great time to be had by all. Fishing wise the tarpon stuck around for late fall appearances right in the harbor all last week during the power boat world championship, some of the spectators in the harbor were greeted by a few rolling fish as they watch the 100 + mph boats run the track. Pretty neat if you ask me, I call that multi tasking. Watch the race - catch a tarpon.
The fishing out of Key West late October into November was as good as I can remember. It was all here in the inshore waters with the big three for the traditional Key West flats Grand Slam and the transition that happens every year brought us the start of our trout fishing in the back country around the mullet mud’s. Along with the trout the lady fish are showing up in great numbers letting all of us know that winter is indeed on its way. These inshore species are always a great hit with my clients to finish off a day.
December is an awesome time to visit the lower Florida Keys and Key West with your own boat or to hire a professional fishing guide. The crowds are a non issue on the water and the boat ramps are easy access with plenty of parking. Granted we do get cold fronts that blow to 25 kts but in between and even during you can find fish that will entertain you. This is also the time that we look forward to the start of our winter fishery both inshore and offshore.
Spanish Mackerel start to flood the harbor and the outlying channels close to shore, along with them you will find Bar Jacks and Jack Crevales. On the flats the larger Barracudas will begin to show up on the white spots in 14 – 24 inches of water, all of them making for great winter backcountry fishing. During the warming trends Tarpon will come into the harbor and channels to feed along with Permit. So as you can see, inshore the month of December in Key West is not the end of summer fishing but the beginning of the winter routine of constant rod bending action.
Offshore the boats will be focusing on the birds and the defined color changes. The need to run way offshore will be squelched by the abundant fishery that will show up right on the reef in December. Sailfish will continue to grow in number and size cruising along the color changes. Don’t discount the shallow outer patch reefs for Sails, Tuna and other pelagics as they wander in there where the bait is. Catching live Ballyhoo is a great way to almost guarantee your success offshore, they can be found most anywhere. When you get tired of working the free swimmers don’t hesitate to drop a line for some reef fish rewards too. Grouper and Snapper fishing starts to heat up when the water cools down.
Winter fishing out of Key West is AWSOME ! Although this is traditionally our slower season the fishing guides get booked up. If a guided fishing charter is part of your Christmas week out of Key West, Call soon. We are always happy to get you on one of our boats if we are available for Flats, Backcountry, Wreck and Reef fishing here at Dream Catcher Charters, if we cannot help you ourselves we can certainly direct you to someone who can. Feel free to drop us a line and ask questions we are delighted to help you chose the fishing charter or Key West activity that will show you the best time for what you are looking for during your visit.
While your hear in the Florida Keys be sure to listen to AM WFFG 1300 for My fishing show called “Live the Dream” fishing in the Florida Keys every Tuesday at 5 pm. Till next month enjoy your fishing and remember.“Tomorrow is Gods way of saying its ok we fished today”….

Capt. Steven P. Lamp
Office 1-888-362-3474
Cellular 1-305-304-0497
President Dream Catcher Charters
Fishing Guide for Flats, Back Country, Wreck and Reef Fishing.
http://www.blogger.com/
http://www.blogger.com/

Snook Season Closed

Snook season closed for Florida's Atlantic coastal waters today, December 15. The season will reopen on the Atlantic coast February 1. Snook season on Florida's Gulf Coast, including Everglades National Park and Monroe County, closed on December 1 and will reopen on March 1.

Florida Panhandle Report 12-14-07

Report for 12-14-2007

Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE

The Grouper bite is improving this week as they are moving in closer. Trolling Mann’s stretch 25s or 30s in 50’ or shallower water and the stretch 40s in sixty feet of water is accounting for the majority of catches this week.
Amberjack continue to hit on the offshore reefs, and Black Fin Tuna reports are beginning to come in and anglers say to go fifty miles or so out trolling a skirted ballyhoo.

ST JOSEPH BAY

The Trout and Slot Reds are moving in with good numbers in the intercostals canal. Live shrimp are best, but grubs will work, along with DOA’s and Gulp.
Whiting are hitting along the surf all day long, but better numbers are at first light and at dusk.
Flounder are around inshore wrecks. Carolina rig a Bull Minnow on a 1/0 mutu light circle hook with 15lb. fluorocarbon leader and drift near and over the structure.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS

Snapper season is closed. For catch and release of these fish, try to stay in 60 feet of water or less to help insure a better mortality rate.
King Mackerel can be caught on hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 ounces of lead for bigger Kings.

Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Scamp are being caught within 5 miles of the beach. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole Boston Mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet.
Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live Cigar Minnows or Pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bonita are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
Team Half Hitch employees: Capt. Dan, Tanya, Gary, and Jay showing off their Bull Reds. Fish caught on Perfect Cast Charters, (850) 227-5149.




ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM

Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties right now. They are easy to catch and great to eat. Use live Shrimp with light weight and small hooks for best results.
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structure in up to 75 feet of water. Also, try Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 3/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good as many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercostals’ waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live Shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and Cut Bait are working well.

Fresh Water


Bass fishing is slow but reports say fish in 10-12’ of water along drop-offs. They are hitting the bait on the way down, so keep your line tight, and watch for the slight movement.
The Crappie fishing is in high gear and anglers are using live minnows. Fish submerged cover with a small cork and vary your depth until you catch your first one and then do not leave until you get your limit.

Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/

Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard. Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.

Bridges, Docks, And Surf Holding Fish

December 14, 2007
INSHORE:
Today is the last opportunity to catch that slot size snook until next year. The season closes today and won't open again until February 1st. A lot of anglers have been fishing around the jetties with live bait and having success in catching....not necessarily a slot size though. Bridges have continued to hold snook for night anglers with live bait or feather jigs. Early mornings can find them cruising along the flats. Joe Novak emailed me and caught a nice snook around the Jensen Beach Causeway that was just a little short of slot size. After today.....catch and release them with care.
Trout fishing picked up this week, even though they are still out of season. The have been hungry for live shrimp or soft baits along the flats. Most have been in the slot size with a few above the 20" size. Fish the edges of the flats where the water drops off to 3 to 4 feet of water. It will be a couple more weeks until the season opens on January 1st, so again catch and release for now. Harbor Branch and Round Island has been good for trout lately.
Redfish action continues to be good on the flats. They have been hanging around the shallows in the warmth of the sun and you can find a few hungry ones if you use soft plastics and fish them slowly along the shallows. Bobby found his nice redfish on a soft baits and boated it after being chased around the boat a few times. Again, fish your lures slowly and then slow it down some more. Redfish can be lazy this time of year and slow to move around. Cooler water slows the metabolism and reaction time is like.....do I want to get off the couch and get myself a snack or wait here for my wife to come through the kitchen????
Other action around the river has been around the inlet with Spanish mackerel, ladyfish and jacks cavorting most days on the bait schools. Shiny spoons or diamond jigs can help you find them. You might consider a short wire leader if you want to keep that lure very long. Jacks and ladyfish are everywhere again. Ten year old Michael wore himself out on ladyfish this week. He lost count, but kept on fishing for them. He sure kept me busy! Sand perch and flounder have been reported around the bridges along with black drum and sheephead. Docks have held many species for those wading or drifting along them. It's been a great week on the water!
Surf:
Whiting and pompano are again the fish being most sought after on the beach. Shrimp or sand fleas are the bait of choice. Silver spoons and pompano jigs are good artificials to be working along the surf. I have heard of bluefish and a few mackerel also being caught by the beach anglers. The nice weather has made it great along the Treasure Coast surf.
Tip of the Week:
Cooler water temperatures in winter brings clean water on the flats. As the water clears, it's more important than ever to move quietly and slowly across the flats. Fish usually more skittish in clean water. Start on the edges of the flats. I watch many boats motor up on the flats and start fishing. Most of the fish around them have already moved off that area. Redfish will lie in very shallow water to soak up the sun's rays. Noises will send them off the flats in a hurry. Drifting across the area will allow you to keep the noise down and have time to fish your lures slowly. I keep a mushroom anchor in the boat to allow me to stop on any given spot to fish it more thoroughly. Slow down and you should have better success this winter.
As always, remember, fishing is not just another hobby....it's an ADVENTURE!!Good Fishing and Be Safe,
Captain Charlie Conner
http://www.fishtalescharter.com/
email: captaincharlie@fishtalescharter.com
772-284-3852
(Captain Charlie Conner has been fishing the Indian River Lagoon for over twenty-five years. Specializing in light tackle fishing in Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach and Port St Lucie, Florida. His weekly South Indian River Lagoon Fishing Report gives you the latest inshore fishing information for the Treasure Coast area on the Indian River Lagoon.}

Offshore, Inshore, Inland Are All Great

Indian River Lagoon Coast Fishing Report, December 13, 2007

Compliments of Mosquito Creek Outdoors, Apopka Florida

Twelve days before Christmas and it feels like March outside, you've got to love living and fishing in the sunshine state. Speaking about March weather, without the wind of course, this past week we've experienced outstanding conditions and some quality fishing from the deep blue to the inland lakes and rivers.

My adventures this past week have covered the entire spectrum of Florida angling with good catches coming from each arena.

My first adventure began with a paddle fishing trip into the Banana River No-Motor Zone. The wind was light from the east so we elected to paddle in of the east side, and when all was said and done, we caught a good number of sea trout up to 20-inchs and several redfish in the slot size, but the big redfish and black drum alluded us.


Captain Rodney Smith with a Beach Snook, Photo by Willie Howard

Next, it was off to the deep blue with my good friends Captains Rodney Smith and Keith Kalbfleisch of MTC Charters. We departed out of Sebastian Inlet in Captain Keith's new 22' Angler, what a sweet ride, and we headed east until we located fishy conditions. The winds were very light and the seas were less than two feet so it was easy to see fish activity, and as soon we spooked a huge school of 2-inch flying fish in about 110 feet of water, we slowed down and started looking closer. At first we started sight fishing a pod of dolphin using a run and gun tactic resulting in three nice gaffer sized fish on ice. We would ride on a slow plane, and when we would see the dolphin harassing the flying fish we would run to them and throw small jigs on light spinning tackle. After a while we decided to attempt trolling, and quickly picked up several kingfish in the 10 to 15 pound range. The most exciting part of the trip was near the end, when we located a large school of black fin tuna skyrocketing out of the water chasing small flying fish. At one point they were all around us flying through the air, and despite our unsuccessful efforts to hook one up, it was quit a sight to see. I also had a nice tripletail hooked up, only to become unbuttoned near the boat, and we also sighted a nice sailfish working in with the tuna.



December Dolphin, Photo by Rodney Smith

Yesterday in preparation for an upcoming charter in the Mosquito Lagoon, I decided to do some scouting. The water levels have dropped considerable, which makes for some good sight fishing, but it also means a lot of time on the polling platform pushing through skinny water.

I started out in the north end just before sunrise, and quickly found a good number of tailing and pushing redfish. The reds were not bunched up but instead were scattered across the flat. It was tough poling, and since I didn't have clients, I decided to look for fish with easy access and soon located a school of black drum, managing two black drum and a slot redfish on a black and green clouser minnow fly.

Around noon, I decided to leave the lagoon and check out the St. John's River to see if the American shad have arrived yet. Well, I have good news and bad news about my findings. The bad news is I didn't see any signs of shad yet. The good news is the bass, speckled perch and bluegill were going off on the surface feeding on very small minnows, and in two hours I caught 14 bass in the one to two pound range, 4 nice specks, and several other pan fish. All of the fish were caught on fly rod throwing a small blue half-inch soft plastic minnow fly.



St. John's River Bass

In closing, the weather looks good through Saturday, so I would fish while the fishing is good. Also, there is still a considerable amount of red tide off of the beach, so keep that in mind if you are planning to surf fish.

As always, if you have any questions or just need information, please contact me.
Happy Holidays, and good luck and good fishing,

Captain Tom Van Horn
Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
http://www.irl-fishing.com/
407-416-1187 on the water
407-366-8085 office
866-790-8081 toll free
Visit www.mosquitocreekoutdoors.com for your outdoor adventure needs, its Where the Adventure Begins!
If you would like to be added to this Internet fishing report mailing list, just reply to this message or contact me at captain@irl-fishing.com.