Chris from Skinny Water Lures brings you this week’s fishing report!
December brings cooler temperatures to Palm Coast, but the inshore bite remains strong as fish begin to adapt to the changing conditions. Despite the drop in water temperature, many species remain active, and anglers can expect good fishing throughout the month, especially in the morning and late afternoon when the water is warmer.
Target Species:
1. Redfish: Redfish are still a top target in December. They’re often found around the deeper holes, oyster bars, and mangrove edges. The cooler water temperatures can push reds into more concentrated areas, making them easier to locate. Look for them to be in schools, especially in the early mornings. Live shrimp, cut mullet, and artificial soft plastics like Skinny Water Lures 4inch paddle tail are great bait choices for reds this time of year.
2. Snook: Snook fishing can be good during December, especially on warmer days. They’re still present near inlet mouths, bridges, and deep pockets around estuaries. As water temps drop, snook will begin to migrate toward warmer waters, making the Palm Coast inshore areas and the Intracoastal Waterway a great place to target them. Larger paddle tails and SWL jerkbaits work well.
3. Trout: Speckled trout can still be found, particularly in the deeper channels and on flats near structures like creek mouths, drop-offs, and grassy bottoms. They tend to slow down in colder weather, so a slower retrieval with soft plastics or live shrimp works best. Look for trout near deeper water during cooler parts of the day, and move to shallower areas as the sun warms the water. SWL twitch baits and curly tail grubs have been working well to catch trout.
4. Sheepshead: This is the peak time for sheepshead fishing. These hard-fighting fish are abundant around docks, bridges, and rocky structures. They’re drawn to structure during the winter months, making this a prime time to fish for them. Use live fiddler crabs or sand fleas on a light rig with minimal weight to tempt these tasty fish.
5. Black Drum: Black drum fishing tends to pick up in December. They are often found near oyster bars, sandbars, and deeper channels. Like redfish, they are often caught using live shrimp, cut bait, or artificial crabs.
Fishing Tips:
• Fish Early and Late: Water temperatures are typically lower in the morning and evening, so fishing during these times when fish are more actively feeding is key.
• using a verity of SWL artificial lures is a great bait options for all the popular species.
• Look for Deeper Water: As temperatures drop, fish will seek deeper pockets of water to stay warm. Focus on areas with significant depth changes like drop-offs, channels, and the mouths of creeks and rivers.
• Weather Matters: Pay attention to cold fronts. After a cold front, fishing can slow down, but as the water warms back up, the bite should pick up again.
Conclusion:
December offers some excellent opportunities for inshore anglers in Palm Coast. While the weather may be cooler, the fish are still active, particularly early in the day and in the warmer parts of the intracoastal waterway. If you’re targeting redfish, snook, trout, sheepshead, or black drum, you’ll find plenty of action throughout the month. Be sure to bundle up and enjoy the cooler weather while chasing these inshore species.
