Fishing Reports
December 2011 Fishing Forecast
SouthShore Tampa Bay
Capt. Danny Guarino
December is here and hopefully we will have nice weather throughout the month. The weather can be one of the biggest hurdles to cross when fishing in the winter months. If it’s too cold, the fish don’t usually bite, if it’s too windy it makes it very hard to get out and find fish either by boat or from shore.
Over the years I have noticed that by following a few key rules you can improve your catch ratio during the colder winter months. Slowing down your presentation both with artificial and natural baits is one of the most important factors. Because of the slower metabolism of the fish, the need for fish to chase down bait is diminished. Picking your day to fish is the other key factor. I like to fish 2 days after the passage of a cold front and fish right up to the passage of the next cold front. When a cold front passes the fish seem to feed less. This due to barometric pressure changes or lack thereof that effect fish and there feeding pattern.
Spanish mackerel and King mackerel are all but gone. These fish migrate south for the winter. You can expect to see the mackerel return in late February and early March when the water temperature approaches 68 degrees.
The snook population albeit declined are in the rivers and deeper waters of Tampa Bay. Snook seek out warmer water in the local area such as spring feed rivers, power plants with warm water run off or deeper spots that hold warmth as the surface water cools. Please remember, the snook bite will continue to be tough throughout this year due to the low number of survivors from the 2010 cold snap. If you catch one please handle them with care.
Trout will be in the deeper grass flats and some of the deeper spots of the Manatee and Little Manatee Rivers. Try fishing trout with some of the soft plastic artificial baits. DOA makes some very good plastic bait’s; one of my favorites is the DOA shrimp. It works well this time of year because you can fish it very slow. Trout season is closed through December in the Southern region, if you catch one you will have to release it.
Redfish can be found near the many oyster bars that fill the back country of Tampa Bay. Try using a pin fish under a bobber or one of the many artificial types of bait available at the local tackle shops. One of my favorite’s artificial baits for redfish is a gold ¼ oz. spoon. You can also work the spoon at different speeds. I usually slow my retrieve down when fishing the colder months of the year.
November fishing was very good and I am very optimistic that the December bite will be just as good. I just hope the wind speed stays below 15 knots. I use mostly artificial baits this time of year. Every year in November I head over to Tampa Fishing Outfitters or Southshore Bait and Tackle to pick up all my favorite lures. I like tackle stores that have a wide selection of baits. You never know what you might need and you can never have too many baits.
If you can, get out and enjoy this great place we live in. The Southshore has some of the best fishing Florida has to offer but remember it’s not the number of fish you put in the fish box that makes a successful trip. Measure you’re fishing success by the number of smiles you receive by going fishing.
Be safe out there.
Capt. Danny Guarino
D.R. Guarino Charters
813-956-2010
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www.fishingguidetampabay.com
