Fishing Report

Happy New Year 2025.  A cold front is just passing and the winds are gusting to 20 knots.  The ten day forecast looks chilly, as most mornings start in the 30’s.  It will be a bundle up start to the new year, but the fish are still hungry.  Best bet is to avoid the wind.  Look for days where the mornings are calm with a moderate afternoon breeze.  

As expected, the trout bite has been outstanding.  The river bite is very easy. Lots of undersized fish, with a mix of slot fish.  Add a handful of sand/white trout to the mix.  Bouncing jigs along the river, south of the fort will catch fish.  If you need to get away from the crowd?  Find a creek and fish the oyster bars on a rising tide. NOTE: please do not anchor inside the channel.  It is too dangerous as boats can get swamped with passing boats at high speeds. 

The redfish bite is a creek bite in January.  Find a creek and fish slowly with a rising tide.  Look for fish to gravitate to the deep water bends on low tide.   You can research your creek on Google Maps to find the deep sections.  Bouncing jigs or jerkbaits will catch them. 

Live shrimp is a best bet.  

The sheephead bite is good, as the fish fall into deep water for the winter.  A live shrimp is a must, as sheeps rarely eat plastic bait. The oyster bars at the mouth of the bay are a great place to start. Look for deep water on the edge of an oyster bar and use a quality light wire jig head.  

Offshore, harvest of red grouper and lane snapper will open in Gulf state waters on Jan 1. This will put grouper back on the menu, for those fishing 50 feet and out.   Reports of both fish are above average in numbers.  The key is finding calm seas.  Check FWC regs for all changes and licence information for 2025.

Boat safely this winter.  Cold water is dangerous water.  Make sure all safety gear is present and in working order.  Plan for the worst and expect the best.  Fish warm and enjoy  the winter bite!