DON’T LET DECEMBER WINDS AND COLD FOIL YOUR FISHING! By: Capt. Mike Anderson
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ooking for a great way to beat the December weather? Try fishing the 5 rivers that dump into Tampa Bay. That’s where I spend almost all of my December time on the water. These rivers, the Alafia, Palm, Hillsborough, Little Manatee and Manatee all hold the keys to some great winter time fishing. They also provide a great place to hide from what are normally breezy conditions. Snook take refuge in these rivers where freshwater springs, dark bottoms and deep channels provide a safe haven from chilly water temps. As water temps cool down Snook tend to change their eating habits and save their energy for battling the cold. But plenty of action can be had by slowing down your presentations on your plastics and by fishing live shrimp. Live Shrimp are much easier to digest than a sardine or finger Mullet and will often be the food of choice this time of year. Snook aren’t the only action to be had up river though. Speckled Trout also gang up in the deeper holes in these rivers and they are very cold water tolerant and can offer hours of steady tasty action. Artificial lures such as the Mirro-Lure Lil John and Marsh
Minnow both work well for steady Trout action in the rivers. Use a ¼ ounce jig head to work the deep holes slowly. You’ll also find the Redfish action steady as well with some great dock fishing in all 5 of these systems. Redfish especially seem to be creatures of habit in these rivers. Once I find a line of docks that hold good numbers of Redfish it seems to hold true year in and year out just like clockwork. You’ll also find good numbers of Ladyfish and Jacks in the rivers this time of year which just to add to the action. Don’t let Mother Nature foil your December fishing. Spend some time in the bay area rivers and remember if it’s cold to slow down that presentation and you’ll find December fishing to be both satisfying and rewarding!
We Do Fishing Licenses!
Need a fishing license, or snook stamp? Stop down and see us! Open 6AM - 6PM EVERY DAY!
Catch Capt. Michael Anderson every Saturday morning on News CH8 at 6:30am for the Reel Animals Fishing Show and Saturdays for Reel Animals Saturday on 970WFLA from 6:00am to 8:00am and Sunday mornings on AM620 for the TA Mahoney Co. Reel Animals Radio Show from 7am to 9am or to book a trip call 1-866-Gamefish. 16 SARASOTA / BRADENTON | DECEMBER 2016 | COASTALANGLERMAG.COM • THEANGLERMAG.COM
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