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FLORIDA FISHING REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING 12/22/07
by
Capt. Butch Rickey
I only got out one time this week. It was with my old friend and favorite fishing buddy Dr. John Hitt, over for some R & R from UCF. John was exhausted from a very grueling schedule lately, but relishing in the fact that his Knights will be playing in their first bowl game, the Liberty Bowl, on December 29.
As much fun as snook, redfish, and the many other species we have available are to catch, John and I both look forward to winter because it usually means the best speckled trout fishing of the year. And, John loves to trout fish, as do I. Last winter was very disappointing after a major fish kill with the red tide in the fall of 2006. I told John that I'd been on some great trout action of late, and that the fish seem to be coming back strong. That, coupled with a water temperature of 63 Thursday morning, was all we needed to skip the bait catching routine and go right for a good trout hole.
Once we were at our first destination I trolling motored to where the trout generally gang up, and we had non-stop action almost immediately. John had brought along a couple of his favorite light action trout rods, and I had switched two of my Stellas to lighter action St. Croix Legends the night before, in anticipation of trout fishing for the next few months.
I was using my trademark Exude RT Slugs and Bass Assassins, and John was using his favorite white curly-tail jig. Once we got the fish going we have very few casts that didn't produce a fish, and those that didn't were mostly our fault. Sometimes the bites were very subtle, and other times the trout would really whack the jigs.
Either way, John and I had a blast catching trout. And, that's the fun of a hot trout bite. It satisfies the little boy all us guys have inside us. The majority of the fish we around a pound to a pound and a half, but we did catch plenty of fish that were in the slot, that could have gone home for dinner were it not for the season being closed. John also caught a flounder, and had no more than mentioned that he'd not caught his customary pinfish or two on jig, than he caught one! I don't know how he does that!
Once the bite began to slow we moved to another nearby hole where the trout are usually bigger, but less plentiful. We caught several nice fish there, but lacking a great bite decided we'd tie on some spoons and see if we could catch a couple of redfish for dinner before the tide quite all together. We only had a half hour or so to get 'er done.
At the first spot I did spot several fish, but we couldn't get anything to bite. We moved a short distance, and had the same results. But, the third time was the charm! After a few casts John had a tremendous hit that I thought would snatch his trout rod out of his hand. I knew without doubt it was a red. After all. We were redfishing! It rolled to confirm that it was indeed a nice keeper red, and after a protracted battle on the light gear, we put her in the well. About two casts later, John hooked up on another red, which went back to fight another day as a heavyweight.
WINTER FISHING IS HERE!
John and I readied the H.M.S. Hitt for the ride home. It had been a fun and very productive day. We caught some nice fish. If we can avoid another fish kill this year, we should have a great crop of whopper yellow-mouth speckled trout to catch next winter.
Christmas is upon us! For many in southwest Florida it has been a very tough year. Yet, there is plenty to be thankful for. I am most thankful for my many customers and friends who have made it possible for me to be in the business I love so much for so many years. Through the good times and the bad, it is each and every one of you, whether you fish with me once, once a year, once every five years, or four times a month. Each of you are equally important to me. I thank you for your business, your friendship, and your loyalty, and wish each and every one of you all the joys of a most wondrous Christmas.
Be sure to check out www.BestFishingBooks.com, Books and gifts for fishermen from my friend Jim Dicken!