Tampa Bay Dec. 15 Fishing Report
Wow is it pretty out today, just couldn't be a nicer day. Just pulled the boat out of the water yesterday for a few days of yearly maintenance, but it would be a great day to be on the water. The fishing has been really good. Some days I spent on the flats the past few weeks have really been as good as I have had all year. The Snook fishing has been best of all. I haven't been catching a ton of large fish, but 40 or 50 a day in the 22 to 27 inch range has been normal, then leaving them biting to try something else. I have also been getting a few large ones mixed in as well, up to 37inches.
Trout fishing has been superb as well. Most of the Trout we are catching are keepers from 16 to 21 inches and larger. My largest Trout was a 271/2 inch trophy last week. That is pretty much a once in a life time Trout for most people. The nice thing is a lot of the larger Trout are mixed in with the Snook so most days while targeting Snook I have easily been catching a limit of keeper Trout to eat.
I have also been catching a few Reds as well. Not near as many as the Snook and Trout, but most days we have been able to get a few mixed in with the Snook. I haven't been seeing many large schools of Reds lately so we have just been settling for the ones we are catching while fishing for other fish. When the water cools down we will see more Redfish action around deep water adjacent to the shallow flats.
Other bonuses have been nice shallow water Flounder. I have had a few big ones up to 25 inches and nice size Blue fish as well. I say nice Blue fish in these parts because 5 and 6 pounders are big around here and that is the size we have been catching along side of the Trout.
I haven't been offshore in quite a while so don't have a lot to comment in that department. My fellow captains that have made it out deeper have said short Grouper have made up the bulk of the catch with a few keepers mixed in. Flounder fishing has also been very good offshore if someone wants some great eating fish. December is usually always a great time for Flounder, one of the best months of the year for them.
Well that pretty much sums it up everyone. I have a few days left over the holidays for anyone interested, fishing should be very good. Until next time, enjoy yourself on the water.
Capt. Matt Ercoli
941-447-9888
www.captainmatt.com
www.tarponfish.com
https://twitter.com/captmattercoli
