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Venice Inlet and the Gulf of Mexico
Capt. Dave Pinkham
November 25, 2005
Venice - Saltwater Fishing Report
December Gulf Fishing Report
December can be somewhat of a transitional month when it comes to fishing out on the gulf. What species of fish to target, and how good the fishing action will be is truly dependant on the weather conditions. If we have a mild December, the fishing action should be red hot. Then again, if we get pounded with some early cold fronts, fishing activity on the gulf will be limited to the periods in-between the fronts when the wind and seas lie down enough to allow anglers to get offshore.
With this said, I’m looking ahead to some good fishing action over the next month. The shorter days and cooler air temperatures should make for comfortable days while out on the water. Just be sure to bring a jacket along. As the gulf’s water temperature continues to inch down, bottom fishing in closer to the coastline should really start heating up.
Following is a forecast of what anglers may expect to catch on the Gulf of Mexico in the month of December.
- Gag groupers should start showing up on some of the hard bottoms, ledges, and artificial reefs in closer to the coastline. Usually around this time of the year the gags move into “short bottom”. What this means to local anglers is that gags in the keeper size range should be showing in 35’ to 65’ of water. Trolling with large lipped, deep diving lures is a great way to hookup with one of these great tasting bottom dwellers. Another method to catch gag groupers is to anchor the boat just up wind from the bottom structure and drop baits such as live pinfish and cut sardines down to them.
- Mangrove snapper fishing should be dependable. The same areas that hold the gags will also draw in the schools of mangrove snappers. Gearing down to lighter tackle is often the key to hooking up with snappers. Once again, anchoring the boat just up wind from the bottom structure should prove productive.
- Cobia will be migrating south down the coast this month. On clear sunny days in-between cold colds will be the best time to target them. Look for lazy fish sunning themselves at or near the surface. Cobias are curious fish and love to hang around any sort of flotsam at the surface or down around any sort of bottom structure. The stone crab trap buoys are a great place to look for cobias. Also be on the lookout for tripletail fish around these buoys as well.
- Kingfish and Spanish mackerels may still be around this month. I’ve seen years in the past where we caught them good right up through the New Year, so don’t rule them out to early.
- Greater amberjacks should start making a solid showing sometime before Christmas. Most of the action with the larger “keeper size” fish will be found farther offshore in the 100’ to 150’ range. This equates to 30 to 50 miles offshore of local beaches. Live baitfish is a hard bait to beat.
- Blackfin tuna may be a viable option on some of the deeper wrecks. If we have mild December, then I would expect to see some blackfins at the filet table over the next couple weeks.
Usually the first couple weeks of December are very mild. This means all sorts of gulf fishing opportunities. If the weather is nice, you can bet that the fishing action will be sizzling! Remember, if you’re too busy to go fishing you’re just too busy. Get out and go fishin cuz’ it’s good fer ya!
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