Mansfield Report: December 2024

Greetings from Port Mansfield! This month’s article will simply be a forecasting report, something that many might relate to since some angler’s plan well in advance of their fishing trips. It only seems appropriate to cover forecasting topics since I will be in Brazil and Argentina during the time I typically draft my December report.

In my mind, December kicks off trophy trout season and anglers who know, know that big things can happen in December. If you recall I caught one a little over eleven pounds in early January last year, so December has all the potential one might desire.

 Let’s take a look. Two thoughts come to mind for December. One, if we have early northers that really pack a punch, we can expect lower water levels in the bay system. Two, if we only experience weak fronts we can expect fairly normal water levels. Additionally, we need to consider air temperatures associated with the fronts. The colder the fronts the heavier weights we can expect game fish to attain. With each passing front this time of year, fish will gorge until they establish the appropriate sustainable balance.

December also is a great month for what I call overrunning cloud cover associated with the cold fronts. Once a semi-strong front makes its way to the Lower Laguna Madre, we may see cloud cover along with some light rain and drizzle. This alone supports the thought of big trout, and rightfully so. This scenario is associated with low barometric pressure which is a variable you want in your fishing equation when targeting trophy trout. We can surely catch them under bluebird skies that follow a blustery front, (although these can be extremely challenging conditions) but I prefer that cloud cover and low ceiling.

Water temperatures should be hovering in the high 60s all the way to the upper 70s. This tells me right away that topwater’s will be in play a high percentage of the time. After catching my career- best trout on a topwater, you might guess I have great confidence in them, most of the time. There is so much to like about topwater fishing, you can see what is happening, and because of that you have the challenges of trying to “talk the fish” into eating your bait. If they are swirling under it or popping it out of water, or possibly trailing behind and making no effort to eat it, you can work it different ways to try and get them to take it. By comparison, with a subsurface lure you typically cannot see how they are responding. Topwaters also tell you if you do need to switch to a soft plastic or suspending bait. All of this is part of learning to become a better angler.

December also supports slowing down, and for me, that even means not leaving the dock until the sun is well up. Although it is tough to beat a good sunrise on the water, its just not “required” as it is in the warmer months.

Most wade fishing anglers will need waders this month and I have to say if you have not checked your Simms waders prior to December you might be a little late to the game. This should have happened in October or even earlier. I know Simms gets busy this time of year with repairs and it might take a while to get your waders back before your next trip, so you might end up having to buy another pair if you just have to go fishing. That said, if you are reading this and have not checked your waders, do it now! I find it easiest to just put them on and get in a swimming pool for about 20 minutes or so, a leak will not be hard to find. If the leak is small enough you might be able to repair it yourself.

My preferred tackle choices will be Shimano’s Vanford and Aldebaran reels paired with my trusty Fishing Tackle Unlimited G2 Green Rods (Finesse and Classic models). I will be tossing Mansfield Knockers and KWigglers Wig-A-Lo for the most part during December; holding steady in less than two feet of water. I will be looking for bait activity before committing to a wade-fishing spot, which should not be hard to find in the Lower Laguna this time of year.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I know I will.

Remember, fresh is better than frozen. -Capt. Wayne