The cold fronts this year are frequent and harsh unlike the past few years. It has been a cold November for the most part and fish have definitely made the switch to their winter time patterns. The keys things I like to watch are water temperature, tides, and weather. This will give you an idea on what type of bait or technique to use.
SNOOK have been in search of the white bait, but as it gets colder every day I seem to be catch less. The problem that has occurred lately is that we haven't had a warm spell. We need a week of warm weather to really get the snook bite going. The other key to catching lots of snook is bait! You will have your best Snook fishing if you can find the white bait. (Greenbacks) I have had to chum the fish a lot to get them to bite as well. Greenbacks are hard to find right know but Ill give you a good place to start, look in deep water areas around marker, bridges, and tower in the bay.
REDFISH are plentiful but the big ones have thinned out. I have been catching a bunch of what we all Rat Reds! Most have been around 22inches. The nice thing about catching Redfish is they are not too picky on there choice of food. I think one their favorites are shrimp! Or they are suckers for the DOA shrimp or Berkley GULP matched with a 1/8 once jig head will be a great rig.
TROUT are one of the big topics as we head into the later part of December. You will find big schools of Trout on healthy thick grass flats. When looking for good spots for Trout, look for potholes, cuts, or just moving water. My favorite technique to use is a 1/8 to ¼ once jig head with your favorite soft plastic. My personal favorite is white bodies. Works them according to the water depth and you will have a day full of catching!!!
Captain Jason Prieto is a native resident of Tampa and has fished Tampa Bay and its surrounding waters for the past 20 years. He is owner and operator of Steady Action Fishing Charters which is based out of lower Tampa Bay. To book a charter, you can reach him at 813-727-9890 or www.steadyactionfishingcharters.com. If you would like to catch him on the radio tune into Outdoor Fishing Adventures Saturday mornings from 8AM to 10AM on 1040 ESPN radio. Tight lines!!!!
