The Wonderful Month Of December

Warm weather lingering into early November can make discerning the seasons a bit tricky for Texas outdoors enthusiasts, but no matter the weather, we are knocking on December’s door and Old Man Winter can show up just about any day now. While this would likely please deer and waterfowl hunters more than year ‘round anglers, the fishing prospects remain very good for the month and some colder weather will only make them better.

The biggest change in the weather will be more frequent cold fronts arriving to the coast. Tides will recede to more normal levels and water temperatures will decline steadily. Both of which have great influence upon feeding patterns and concentrating fish into more predictable locations within the bay systems. Hopefully, the information from our contributing writers in this issue will provide a step in the right direction as you go looking for the bite on favorable weather days.

And speaking of favorable weather days, I cannot stress enough the importance of monitoring coastal weather forecasts, and not just the day or night before, but also during your day on the water. The pre-fontal bite can often be the stuff of legend but the last place you want to be is on the wrong side of the bay when a honkin’ blue norther comes crashing to the coast. Yeah, I’ve been there; ignored the towering clouds and first whisps of north wind a couple of times, and just flat stayed too long a few others because the bite was just that darned good. All I can tell you is they were all mistakes. Lord only knows how it would have ended had we lost power as we beat our way back to port amid billowing waves. I was lucky…your luck may not be as good.

December is also a wonderful month for spending quality time with family and friends, attending Christmas parties, and generally showering those we love most with affection and gifts as we celebrate the birth of Christ. I have great memories of Christmas Seasons past, as a youngster, a parent, and now a grandparent. Among all those memories, what seems most important after so many years are the blessings of love, health, and happiness more than the material things.

Now, please don’t take me for a Scrooge, I’m working on my Christmas list and hope to put smiles on the faces of the special folks whose names are on it. I guess what I’m trying to say is that love and kindness will last a lifetime, so be sure to give plenty. In addition to all the traditional celebrations, get your family and loved ones outdoors this Christmas and share your passion!