Unseasonably warm weather and the approaching full moon have made for challenging conditions inshore the last couple of weeks. With daytime highs in the mid-70s (azaleas are blooming), the fish are scattered and not very aggressive. Hopefully things will change for the better later this week.
In the shallow waters of Santa Rosa Sound, water temperatures climbed back into the mid-60s last week. Except for wind-blown silt, the water clarity was exceptional. Which makes it easier to spot fish when it’s not overcast, but also easier for them to spot the boat or high-profile anglers. It’s very frustrating to make the perfect cast only to have the target swim the other opposite direction because it is on alert.
Earlier in the month there were still small pods of pilchards and needlefish in the shallows. Mullet were also grouped into small schools. Most of that bait has now disappeared. There are a few cow-nose rays gliding around, but no redfish were spotted trailing them.
Redfish numbers dropped noticeably as the moon shifted closer to the full phase. Those remaining were extremely spooky. The most successful lure has been an original Capt. Mike’s weedless 1/4-ounce spoon in gold with silver foil. Typically I shift down in size in the winter months for a quieter presentation and to match sizes with any remaining bait.
Trout have been few and far between, too. Reports from the upper bays are equally discouraging. The few that have been caught are mostly being fooled by subsurface plugs retrieved slowly through the strike zone.
The outlook is a little more promising for the week leading up to Christmas. Another cold snap is forecast for mid-week, which will likely push the fish into more traditional winter haunts. Negative mid-day low tides will expose bottom for solar heating. Average solunar feeding periods are expected once the water turns in the mid-afternoons.
Duck hunters will be encouraged by the cooler weather as well. The number of sea ducks is steadily increasing along the coast.
Copyright 2021, Capt. Dave Lear
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