Orlando Saltwater Flats Fishing Report
Capt. Chris Myers
December 30, 2016
Orlando - Saltwater Fishing Report
2016 ended the same way it started with tail, tails, and more tailing redfish. Everybody's favorite kind of redfish, tailing redfish are happy, hungry, and eager to eat your lure. While you may encounter single fish tipping their tail out of the water, it is more often a school of them. One group[ may have 10 fish and the next over 200. In some the fish are 3 pounds and other they are over 20. No matter their size or number, the same few rules always apply. Approach them quietly, do not cast on top of the fish, and do not let your line touch them before your lure or bait gets to them.
I prefer to use a 3" DOA CAL shad tail on a jighead or the new 2.5" DOA shrimp. They will cast a long distance using 10lb braided line and never fly off the hook like live or natural baits can. Redfish will always eat a real shrimp but they tend to fly off the hook at the worst time, especially if you have to cast them into the wind or a long distance. The soft plastic baits never come off and can be used on multiple fish. Tailing fish are not that picky and you will not need live bait to catch them.
Don't be surprised if you cast to a school of redfish, get a bite the second your lure hits the water, and find it it is a big seatrout. They often shadow these schools hoping for an easy meal stirred up by the reds. On cooler days, the large trout can be found in the shallow sand spots. They can be challenging and frustrating at times but this is a chance to land a real trophy.
Black drum will be in the mix as well. They can often be found tailing like the redfish. Their finds and more rounded and have a grayish blue tint. They are not nearly as aggressive as the redfish and will usually respond better to live or dead shrimp or crab.
Orlando Fishing Forecast:
Tailing redfish and drum will continue throughout January. Great time for fly fishing Mosquito Lagoon
Target Species:
redfish, seatrout, black drum
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