West Central Fly Fishing and Light Tackle Report – Tampa Bay
Capt. Ethan Kiburz
January 6, 2025
Tampa Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
December has been a stellar month for targeting Redfish and Spotted Sea Trout in Tampa Bay's inshore waters. With water temperatures averaging around 60 degrees, the cooler conditions have brought significant changes to the ecosystem, making this a prime time to hit the water. Here's a detailed breakdown of what to expect and how to make the most of your fishing trips this month.
Water Clarity and Tidal Patterns
The drop in water temperature has effectively killed off algae blooms, resulting in crystal-clear water conditions. This clarity provides anglers with excellent sight-fishing opportunities. The winter solstice brings negative low tides during the morning hours around the full and new moon phases. These tides concentrate fish into small, deeper zones where they await the incoming tide. The best action typically occurs after the water temperature rises a few degrees, stimulating fish appetites.
Redfish Patterns and Techniques
Anglers can find them spread out along shallow flats, creek mouths, and mangrove edges. For fly anglers, crab and shrimp patterns remain the top choice, especially when fished slowly near the bottom. For light tackle enthusiasts, wintertime techniques like paddle tails and jerkbaits can be effective for a variety of species, including Redfish, when retrieved with a steady or erratic motion depending on conditions. Focus on presenting your bait or fly naturally to entice these opportunistic feeders.
Spotted Sea Trout Behavior and Strategies
Spotted Sea Trout are concentrated over hard-bottom areas as they prepare for their spring spawn. These fish are particularly active on overcast and windy days, which tend to make them more aggressive. For fly anglers, weightless baitfish patterns remain to be the most productive for big fish in shallow. Conventional tackle anglers should focus on fishing paddle tails with a slow, steady retrieve on calm days and jerkbaits fished near the bottom during more turbulent conditions. Matching the retrieve to the activity level of the fish is crucial for success.
Key Tips for Success
Timing is Everything: Plan your trips around the tidal phases, targeting fish as they move with the incoming tide.
Adjust for Conditions: Use clear-water tactics like subtle presentations on calm days and switch to more aggressive techniques during overcast or windy conditions.
Match the Hatch: Stick with natural patterns such as crab, shrimp, and baitfish to mimic the primary forage in these cooler months.
By understanding the behavior of Redfish and Spotted Sea Trout during December, you can optimize your chances of success. Whether you prefer fly fishing or light tackle, the current conditions provide plenty of opportunities to land quality fish. Tight lines!
Target Species:
Redfish and Spotted Sea Trout
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