December Best Bets-Crystal River/Homosassa, Fl

Report Date: November 25, 2003

In our neck of the woods, December brings on cooler weather, thoughts of Christmas, bowl games, hunting season continues and also, provides some outstanding fishing opportunities along our coast. On any given day, weather providing, it is possible to catch trout, redfish, bluefish, spanish mackerel, and grouper all on one trip. Of course, it takes a whole lot of luck. And as an old friend of mine, Bill Brant once said, ?Luck is when preparation meets opportunity?. So be sure your tackle box is prepared so when the opportunity presents itself you are ready. I can recall times I was trout fishing on the flats and run into schools of Spanish mackerel and had no wire leaders to be found.

As the weather cools the Gulf waters, trout and redfish will make their way into river mouths and creeks. Between Homosassa, Ozello and Crystal River, the fish will be in transition, some still on the flats and outside bars, while others will move closer in to inside bars and creeks and deeper holes. However, the reds will begin finding their winter homes deep in the backcountry in deeper holes. Airboaters and The RedfishHunter I flats boat will have the best shot at getting to these reds as the winter tides and traditional east winds will cause our tides along the Nature Coast to run lower than normal. Many of the spots you fish spring, summer and fall, you can?t get to now. Look for the larger trout hanging out on the shell bars with the reds. This time of year, the method of choice is either a live shrimp or jig and grub under a Cajun popping cork, fished over grass flats, yellow bottom, and rocky flats. Saltwater Assassin's saltwater shad in colors of electric chicken, white/pink tail, and rootbeer colors are very effective. Another method for trout is live pinfish under a cork. However, I like to use a "pinfish shoulder" or "shiner tail" fished freeline, for bigger fish.

Spanish mackerel, Bluefish and kingfish are usually abundant this time of year. Look for diving birds and free jumping fish. Artificials and wire leader are all you'll need for Spanish; trolling or casting red/white or green/white bucktail or plastic jigs while drifting or at anchor will do the trick. Live shrimp work well also. Slow-trolled live baits will work well for kingfish. Another method is to anchor near some rocky bottom or deep grass flats and put out a chum bag and bring the Spanish to you

Grouper fishing will remain consistently good from water 20 to 45 feet deep. Anglers trolling diving plugs will pick up a few gags, Spanish and kingfish, but more keeper fish can be caught while bottom fishing. The fish will be moving around so if you don't find them on your favorite spot, scout around until you locate something on your depth finder that looks worthwhile. Live bait will catch them quicker than frozen, and you'll spend less time with grunts and shorts.

If you want to find some new grouper spots, trolling is a great way to look and fish at the same time. Best bets seem to be Mann's Stretch 25s, 30s and Rebel Jawbreakers. As far as colors go, the best ones seem to be blue or chartreuse fire-tiger, black/gold Mylar and black/silver Mylar.

Larger sized grouper will start to move into the inshore rocks. You have never lived until you have cast plugs to grouper in 8-10 feet of water or caught them on lighter tackle. A ten pound grouper on lighter tackle will provide a "tug of war" you won't soon forget.

If the weather stays mild with no severe cold fronts, Cobia will still be roaming waters inshore and offshore. Grouper diggers usually pick up a few cobes and inshore anglers will find fish around channels and channel markers with grassflats nearby. Live or cutbait is all you need.

So, get out there wet a hook and stretch a line. And remember, take a youngster fishing, ?cause a child?s smile and good day fishing is the best medicine for whatever ails ?ya.

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season and remember to tell those you love, that you love them.

May the Great Master of all fishermen be with us until we meet again.

Until next time??.

Captain Ed Lewis

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