Fishing Report
December 2009 Fishing Forecast
SouthShore Tampa Bay
Capt. Danny Guarino
D.R. Guarino Charters
813-956-2010
Where has the year gone, It is already December and I’m still getting over Halloween.
This entire fall season has been hot. Not the fishing but the weather. Through Mid November I have been Snook Fishing in places where the snook would not be if the weather were normal I mean the temperature . The only good thing is bait. Bait has been on the flats and will stay there until we get a few cold fronts to come through and knock the water temperature down.
Mackerel have stayed in the bay but should be on there way out again, dependent on the temperature cooling. Mackerel will be headed south and return in April.
The Trout bite in Cockroach Bay has been very good and will continue that way for at least a month or two. Look for trout in some of the deeper grass areas as well as up some of the deeper cuts in the rivers. Please remember Trout season is closed in this part of the state until January 1, 2010
The Little manatee River has been a bit of a disappointment for Snook this, due in part to the water Temperature. Most of the snook that migrate to the rivers for the winter have just slowed there arrival. The snook have staged in places close by the river mouths. Little Cockroach and Cockroach Bay has been the better snook bite we just have to make sure we have a high enough tide so that we don’t get stuck in the back country. Remember that Snook Season closes Dec 1, 2009 and does not reopen until March 1, 2010.
Look for redfish in the back country near some of the oyster bars the dot the area in Cockroach Bay. Redfish will be spooky as the water temperature begins to drop and the water becomes clear. The little Manatee is full of little rat reds about 14 inches. Be careful with them and release them quickly.
December is a good time to fish so long as you pick your days. Wind and cold make a tough day. If you can fish just before the cold fronts you should do well. The bite will slow just after the fronts but give it a day or two and the bite will pick right back up, Decembers bite will be good as long as we get our air temperature a little closer to normal.
