2015 went out with a bang, or should I say " a scream of the drag" ! Just about every species was biting this month; trout, red fish, Spanish Mackerel, blue fish, snapper, sea bass, grunts and more.
The inshore action was non-stop with trout feeding on both the outgoing and incoming tides. Jerk baits or jigs under a popping cork both worked well, it didn't seem to matter. The best colors ranged from white to black and everything in between. The trout seemed to be enjoying the perfect sunny days and were hanging out in 1-6 feet of water. The only problem was catching our limit too quickly. The trout are not like Red fish, they are not a good catch and release species, because they are much more fragile. So when you get your limit, move on to another species.
As for the red fishing, plenty of fish are around. Until the water temps drop, the fish are sill in their fall feeding patterns, so look for them on the outer points and keys and work your way inside with the tide. Live shrimp has been the best bait, either free-lined or on a 1/16 oz jig head. The cork rig is always a go-to option that just about always produces.
Offshore the Spanish mackerel are everywhere, and the blue fish are mix in with them. Be prepared to to through some jig heads with these toothy fish.
The sheephead are also showing up in numbers, but the best action will start in January with the big females moving on to the structures, they will be hungry and ready to bite.
Thanks to all my clients and fellow guides for a great year, and I look forward to 2016 and all the new fish tales to come. Capt Mark
