December’s springlike weather has brought the water temperatures up to unseasonable levels. Just a few weeks ago they were in the mid-50s and now have reached 70 degrees in a lot of backwater areas. Makes it kind of tough to nail down any patterns with a lot of species.
Speckled trout have taken over as the top number species since the reopening of trout season in our area. Numerous trout have been taken from 14 inches up to a beauty 26 1/2-incher Monday. Most of the trout have been found on grassy drop offs near shoals and bars all across the local bays in Manatee County. Once you find the trout, the trick for the bigger ones is to move short distances in the same area until you hone in on the bigger units. A good number of pompano, bluefish, flounder and ladyfish have been taken in the same areas. Live shrimp, C.A.L. jigs, Cotees and Tsunami trout lures have all been effective.
There continues to be above-average snapper fishing inshore for this point on the calendar. It is easier to catch a mess of mangos than it is sheepshead right now, although the sheepies have been coming on a little better this past week. Black drum to 27 inches and precious few redfish to 25 inches have been nailed near fishing docks and structure.
The nearshore gulf is seeing some Spanish mackerel returning already, and there has been bonito working the beaches too.
All in all the action has been diverse and pretty good for January. Enjoy this balmy weather because I still maintain it is not going to last.
Good luck and good fishing — be careful! Happy New Year!
Capt. “Zach” Zacharias, of the “DEE JAY II” can be reached at (941) 795-5026 or e-mail zachcap@aol.com.
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