December is here and the shallow water flats fishing remains strong. I guess all you northerners can tell by just walking outside that winter is right around the corner. I guess for many of you it's already full fledge winter, at least that's what it looked like every time I turned on the news this past week. Looks like you-all are digging out of snow from Washington State all the way to New York City. Wonder if it's going to be a cold winter? Well no worries, there's always a place you can come to avoid frost bite. Now I'm not trying to rub it in but it's been in the 70's and 80's down here, honestly it has been some of the most enjoyable weather of the whole year, as it usually is.
The fishing has been equally as good as the weather. My main target has been snook and lots of them, we had some 50 plus days on snook this past week, even on the slowest days we caught at least 30. The larger fish are also biting well and we have had lots of fish in the 28 to 30 inch class. We broke off some true trophies that we never got a look at, but the way they where screaming the drag I can promise they where big. The redfish have also been very good; I've been catching most of them while targeting snook, one day the reds will be mixed in and the next you might not see as many. I have heard of a few large lone schools around though. Most reds have been undersize to 25 inches. The larger trout have also been biting better which is nice to see. We had several over 20 inches last week, I think this will be a much better trout winter than the last couple. Well last but not least on the flats have been flounder which each and everyday we have been adding 2 or 3 nice keepers to the box while snook fishing.
The offshore fishing is pretty good as well now. The kingfish have slowed down as they head south. The Spanish and tunny are still thick in good numbers and not very far out. I haven't been fishing them myself but the grouper have been on the bite from 7 miles out to right up into Tampa Bay with plenty of keepers.
So that pretty much sums up what going on in these parts, hope you enjoyed the report. Good luck on the water. Oh yea, if you are looking for a last minute Christmas present we still have time to get gift certificates sent out.
Capt. Matt Ercoli 800-521-2872
www.captainmatt.com