South Padre: December 2022

Closing out 2022, I want to thank all my sponsors, clients, and friends in the industry who have made an impact and helped me follow and continue my passion. Thank you Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine for believing in me twelve years ago, even when I didn't. Being in the fishing industry and guiding more than twenty years has put me in contact with many good people all over the globe. My passion has taken and continues to take me to many places worldwide. Living my dream has been an incredible experience.

As I write, our tides remain high but that will change later in the month. The current high water has scattered fish, especially the reds. They’ve had plenty of places to hide with so much water available and lately it's been a struggle to find suitable concentrations. A couple of redfish per trip has been the average. There have been trips when we found them stacked but those days have been few. Not to worry, though, as soon as the tides drop the redfish will show up in stronger numbers in many locations. This month, between fronts, our bays can become very clear and calm, which makes spotting their wakes across the flats much easier.

Getting on a solid bite has been all about timing the past couple of months as the weather has not affected feeding patterns. However, as the cold fronts become more numerous and the water temperatures dip, a typical feeding pattern becomes more of an “eat when you can” program. These fish will take advantage of fair weather and gorge before the next front arrives. Redfish will roam the skinny flats to feed during warmer periods and quickly head to deeper water as they sense temperatures plummeting and north winds increasing.

What will we be using? Plastic baits will continue to be at the top of our list, but a quarter-ounce jighead becomes more effective as fish tend to be generally lower in the water column during winter months. December is generally an excellent month for targeting reds; let's hope the pattern holds.

The trout outlook is starting to line up similarly. Still, not near what it was before the freeze, but looking much better than expected. The larger trout have been sporadic and more spread out than in years past. The bigger ones are still out there but not in big numbers like we are used to seeing. Some parts of our bay are holding solid trout but not gigantic ones just yet.

So, is it going to be a good year for trophy trout? I believe it will. With the current regulations in place and many people practicing catch and release, we will see the benefits this winter trout season. As of recently, the trout bite has been consistent. Lots of little ones, but a limit of trout is easily attainable. Many of my clients have voluntarily released all their trout, which is cool and reassuring to see.

During the coming warming periods, look for trout to be staging in potholes as they warm up and prepare to ambush baitfish that come within reach. I have seen over the winter months that larger trout tend to school in greater numbers. December is usually when this pattern becomes more evident.

The edges of the ICW and adjacent flats will hold plenty of trout this month. With the tide dropping, grass flats with the greatest number of potholes will be magnets for bigger trout. But, speaking from experience, I will also say they tend to be harder to catch in shallow water. Later in winter, the water temperature will dip low enough to put trout in muddy areas or deeper water, but December doesn't usually get cold enough to push most fish off the shallow flats. Keep this in mind, it could happen sporadically but not consistently this month. Again, soft plastic baits will be our top choice, but our wade boxes will also contain Paul Brown Corkys for slower presentations when necessary.

Floating and suspended grass continues to be a problem, given that windier-than-normal weather conditions uprooted so much of it earlier this year. It has been so bad on occasion that we have been forced to leave productive areas, something we do not normally encounter this late in fall. Let’s all hope the north winds will push it all to the banks soon.

December can be a great fishing month. Boat traffic is light, fish are hungry, and they tend to congregate. The weather can change with little notice, though. Be prepared with extra warm clothing. Filing a float plan with a trusted friend is always a good idea.

Merry Christmas to all, and thanks for being a faithful reader.