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    December 1, 2023 at 12:06 am

    

    Capt. Tony Bozzella PRO

    • Inshore Fishing Guide
    • (904) 651-0182

    

    One of my favorite months for back country redfishing. Great time to catch a Mid Day low tide with the sun shining high, to sight fish, a backing red, or to get inside of a creek on the outgoing tide, catching reds in the rip (currents around the oyster) off the oysters. You have heard me say this many times, but where that current flows around oysters there’s often a little bit of a depression we’re Redfish can hold tight foraging on grass shrimp, crustaceans, etc. that get pushed to them. A great feeding spot to cast your jig and shrimp, combo or mudminnow up current and let it sit until you get the bite. After a 15/20 min wait, staying in tune with your jig, with no bite, move locations. I like using shrimp mostly because you can pick up a drum or sheep head. If I am at a location where I’m not expecting to catch any other fish than Redfish, mudminnows is often a good bait of choice because the minnow is active when you hook him through the lips, and he puts a commotion that will attract a bite. Dan Willenski, and Mark Laborte, each scored a Gator trout (over 5lbs) doing this method. Be sure to use a 30 inch piece of Fluorocarbon in the 15 to 20 pound range tied with a Uni knot to your braid or mono filament and a loop knot to your 1/8 or 1/4oz TBS Jig. I use the Bowline knot.

    Fluorocarbon is difficult to see in the water, unlike braid, which is visible. I like to fish the last three hours of the outgoing in the first hour of the incoming. That’s usually when the best bite occurs as fish are being pulled from the grasses and areas that will lack water. For the Anglers that pole for their fish, a good mid day low tide & wind, sunny day can allow true sight fishing on backing fish. Often times, this time of year microorganisms die off with cooler water temperatures and with less rain and boat traffic and no bait on the flats the water gets very clear and you can often site fish. I try to pick flats that are holding fish and are in the Lee so the water is the calmest and you have a true chance of seeing the fish. If you have to fish high tide, a popping cork rig drifted by oyster bars can be a ticket. Grass lines & other structures can also be good.
    Trout should also be schooled up. Often in holes in creeks, drop offs along the ICW. Traditional methods of throwing soft plastics or jig and shrimp. Combinations can be very effective. Often times this time of year Trout have a tendency to be smaller and below the 15 inch minimum length and many times you will also pick up other species while doing this. Don’t let winter fool you, it’s a great month to redfish!!

    If you like catching fish and want to learn how to fish North Florida's backcountry and flats from the best, give Capt. Tony Bozzella a call today, you won’t regret it! Call to book a trip, or visit Inshore Fishing Guide on the web.

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